Atrium (architecture)
Ancient Atria:
– In ancient Roman domus, the atrium was the central court with enclosed rooms.
– The impluvium in the middle of the atrium collected rainwater.
– Wealthier houses had lavish furnishings like marble cartibulum.
– Atria contributed to passive cooling in houses.
– Atrium was used in various public and religious buildings.
19th Century: Glazed Atrium:
– Industrial revolution advancements led to glazed atriums.
– Horizontal glazing overhead in courtyards birthed modern atriums.
– Examples include Victoria Hall in Halifax Town Hall.
– The Bradbury Building in Los Angeles features a central atrium.
Modern-day Atria:
– Fire control is crucial in contemporary atrium design.
– Unused vertical space is a downside of atriums.
– Examples include The Atrium at Federation Square in Melbourne.
– Opryland Hotel in Nashville hosts four large atria.
– Leeza SOHO in Beijing had the world’s tallest atrium at 194 meters.
See also:
– Atriums are a key feature in modern buildings.
– Users, designers, and developers value atria for various reasons.
– Atria provide a sense of space and light in buildings.
– Ancient Roman atria featured elements like impluvium and lararium.
– Byzantine churches and mosques also had atrium-like spaces.
References:
– Cambridge English Dictionary defines atrium.
– Various books and publications explore atrium architecture.
– Studies on daylight levels in atria have been conducted.
– The world’s tallest atrium was in Leeza SOHO, Beijing.
– Construction Review Online reported on atrium architecture.
In architecture, an atrium (pl.: atria or atriums) is a large open-air or skylight-covered space surrounded by a building. Atria were a common feature in Ancient Roman dwellings, providing light and ventilation to the interior. Modern atria, as developed in the late 19th and 20th centuries, are often several stories high, with a glazed roof or large windows, and often located immediately beyond a building's main entrance doors (in the lobby).
Atria are a popular design feature because they give their buildings a "feeling of space and light." The atrium has become a key feature of many buildings in recent years. Atria are popular with building users, building designers and building developers. Users like atria because they create a dynamic and stimulating interior that provides shelter from the external environment while maintaining a visual link with that environment. Designers enjoy the opportunity to create new types of spaces in buildings, and developers see atria as prestigious amenities that can increase commercial value and appeal.