Ancient Atria:
– In ancient Roman architecture, the atrium was a central court in a domus with enclosed rooms.
– The atrium featured an impluvium, a shallow pool to catch rainwater, and a compluvium for roof support.
– Wealthier houses had marble cartibulum, trapezophoros pedestals, lararium, arca, and a puteal.
– Atriums were also present in public and religious buildings, resembling arcaded courtyards.
– Byzantine churches and some mosques were entered through atrium-like spaces.
19th Century Glazed Atrium:
– The 19th century saw advancements in iron and glass manufacturing, leading to glazed atriums.
– Horizontal glazing overhead in courtyards eliminated weather elements, creating modern atriums.
– Examples include Victoria Hall in Halifax Town Hall and the Bradbury Building in Los Angeles.
Modern-Day Atria:
– Contemporary atrium design focuses on fire control to prevent rapid fire spread.
– Atriums can create unused vertical space, limiting additional floor occupancy.
– Notable modern atria include The Atrium at Federation Square in Melbourne and Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
– Leeza SOHO in Beijing had the world’s tallest atrium at 194 meters in 2019.
– Other examples include the 200 Public Square building in Cleveland, Ohio, and Kerala Nālukettu’s central atrium.
Design Features:
– Atria are popular design features due to their ability to provide space and light in buildings.
– Users, designers, and developers appreciate atriums for their dynamic interiors and commercial value.
– Ancient Roman atria had specific features like impluvium, lararium, and puteal.
– Glazed atriums emerged in the 19th century with advancements in glass and iron manufacturing.
– Modern atriums focus on fire safety and maximizing vertical space usage.
References:
– Cambridge English Dictionary and The Free Dictionary offer definitions of atrium.
– Driscoll, Steemers, Sharples, Dobbins, and Foss provide insights into atrium architecture.
– Construction Review Online reported on the world’s tallest atrium in Leeza SOHO.
– Further reading materials include Encyclopædia Britannica and Roth’s book on understanding 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.
Definition from ChatGPT:
Atrium (architecture):
In architecture, an atrium refers to a large open space within a building, often located at the center and extending through multiple floors. Atriums are typically designed to bring in natural light, provide ventilation, and serve as a focal point for the building's interior. They can be used for various purposes, such as gathering spaces, circulation areas, or as a design feature to enhance the overall aesthetics of the building.