Final answer:
Roman architects harnessed the potential of concrete, arches, vaults, and domes to revolutionize building design, exemplified by the Pantheon, which utilized poché for structural integrity and aesthetic form.
Step-by-step explanation:
Roman architects discovered visual and compositional opportunities as they began to use concrete widely, enabling them to design remarkable structures such as the Pantheon and imperial bath complexes. The employment of concrete, along with the architectural elements of arches, vaults, and domes, allowed Romans to create interior spaces that were expansive, freeing them from the need for many structural supports and thereby focusing on the aesthetics of the interior spaces. For example, the Pantheon is notable for its coffered concrete dome and oculus, which creates a grand interior space unobstructed by columns, showcasing the innovative use of architectural poché—the thickened wall sections—to integrate structural strength and architectural form. In contrast to the more traditional post-and-lintel construction, which was limited in span and height, Roman true arches allowed for greater distances and heights, opening up vast interior spaces and offering unprecedented compositional opportunities.