Which architectural feature consists of sunken panels used to reduce the weight of a dome or ceiling?

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Coffers are sunken panels arranged in a regular pattern on a dome or ceiling. They lighten the structure by removing material in these recessed panels, reducing weight without compromising the surface’s shape. This also creates a rhythmic play of light and shadow that enhances the space’s visual depth. The concept dates back to ancient Rome, famously used in the Pantheon, and it has been revived in later periods for both structural efficiency and decoration. Other architectural features like buttresses provide external support, cornices are horizontal moldings, and rib vaults form a network of arches to carry and distribute load. The sunken-panel form that achieves the weight reduction is coffers.