Full Answer
What is an atrium in the middle of the House?
atrium, in architecture, an open central court originally of a Roman house and later of a Christian basilica. In domestic and commercial architecture, the concept of the atrium experienced a revival in the 20th century. In Roman times the hearth was situated in the atrium. With the developing
What is atrium architecture?
In architecture, an atrium (plural: 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.
What is the main role of the atrium?
What is the main function of the atrium? The atria are the 'receiving chambers' for blood to flow through the heart, taking in blood from either the body or the lungs. The atrium is smaller than its counterpart, the ventricle , because it pumps the blood a shorter distance.
What part is the atrium?
The atrium (Latin: ātrium, lit. 'entry hall') is one of two upper chambers in the heart that receives blood from the circulatory system.The blood in the atria is pumped into the heart ventricles through the atrioventricular valves.. There are two atria in the human heart – the left atrium receives blood from the pulmonary circulation, and the right atrium receives blood from the venae cavae ...
What is an atrium in a home?
In architecture, an atrium (plural: atria or atriums) is a large open-air or skylight-covered space surrounded by a building.
What is a modern atrium?
A common feature to many Mid-century Modern houses, is the atrium. The atrium is a large space within a house, often covered by a glass roof that provides light and adds an extra space to live in but with an 'outside' feeling: even during rainy days.
Is an atrium part of a house?
An atrium is similar to a courtyard except that atriums introduce an outdoor element to what's perceived as the interior of a building. Atriums might evoke memories of office buildings or commercial hotels, but they were prominently featured in real-estate developer Joseph Eichler's homes in the late 1950s, too.
Why is it called an atrium?
The atrium (Latin: ātrium, lit. 'entry hall') is one of two upper chambers in the heart that receives blood from the circulatory system.
What is the difference between a courtyard and an atrium?
An atrium is an enclosed or "public use" space and is covered by a roof. A courtyard is an unenclosed space. Courtyards possess an "outdoor" or exterior character and are not covered by roofs.
Does an atrium have a roof?
An atrium is an open-roofed part of a building, though now it more commonly has a glass roof. Although the atrium has evolved throughout the centuries, the basic design has remained the same.
What do you call an open space inside the house?
Courtyards—private open spaces surrounded by walls or buildings—have been in use in residential architecture for almost as long as people have lived in constructed dwellings.
What do you call a house with a courtyard in the middle?
A courtyard house is a type of house—often a large house—where the main part of the building is disposed around a central courtyard.
What is a small atrium called?
Atrium and auricle are two structural components of the heart. The main difference between atrium and auricle is that atrium is a compartment of the heart whereas auricle is a small out-pouching of the atrium.
What is an atrium in an apartment?
What to look for in the atrium of your apartment. 'Atrium' is an architectural term to mean a large open-air or skylight-covered space surrounded by a building. These atria were a common design feature in ancient Roman buildings, providing light and ventilation to the interior spaces.
What was the function of an atrium in a villa?
The atrium was the central hall of a Roman villa. It usually had an opening in the roof (compluvium) to guide rainwater, and a pool in the center of the floor (impluvium) to collect it.
What is the synonym of the word atrium?
Synonyms & Near Synonyms for atrium. galleria, parvis. (also parvise), peristyle.
What is an atrium in a church?
atrium: An open courtyard at the entrance of a church, usually surrounded by covered aisles. The atrium of the Early Christian church was originally a place for the catechumens to wait during the celebration of the Eucharist.
What is an atrium in an apartment?
What to look for in the atrium of your apartment. 'Atrium' is an architectural term to mean a large open-air or skylight-covered space surrounded by a building. These atria were a common design feature in ancient Roman buildings, providing light and ventilation to the interior spaces.
What is an atrium on a cruise ship?
Found on nearly every ocean vessel, the atrium is a hub for everyday activities, events and parties and central to a ship's shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Some atriums stand out from the pack as being truly spectacular.
How do you style an atrium?
Take the edges off the room by grouping plants in corners and mixing tall and short plants. Create a relaxation space in the middle of the room. Place a small table and chairs or lounge chairs in the atrium to make it more comfortable for guests. Add a water element to make the space feel refreshing and alive.
What is an atrium?
In architecture, an atrium (plural: 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, ...
Why are atriums so popular?
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.
Why is fire control important in an atrium?
Fire control is an important aspect of contemporary atrium design due to criticism that poorly designed atria could allow fire to spread to a building's upper stories more quickly. Another downside to incorporating an atrium is that it typically creates unused vertical space which could otherwise be occupied by additional floors.
How many stories is the atrium of the Shanghai Grand Hyatt?
The atrium of 1 Bligh Street, a Sydney office tower, looking upwards. Looking up inside the 32-story atrium of the Shanghai Grand Hyatt, part of the Jin Mao Building. Atrium of the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center.
How many acres are there in Opryland Hotel?
In Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., the Opryland Hotel hosts 4 different large atria, spanning 9 acres (36,000 m 2) of glass ceiling in total, in the hotel above the gardens of: Delta, Cascades, Garden-Conservatories, and Magnolia.
What is the name of the pool in the middle of the atrium?
In a domus, a large house in ancient Roman architecture, the atrium was the open central court with enclosed rooms on all sides. In the middle of the atrium was the impluvium, a shallow pool sunken into the floor to catch rainwater from the roof.
Where is the atrium of Complexe Desjardins?
Atrium of Complexe Desjardins, Montreal. Atrium of Kurayoshi Park Square in Kurayoshi, Japan. Multi-floor atrium with three see-through octagonal elevator shafts in Water Tower Place in Chicago. Interior of Wilson Hall at Fermi Lab in Illinois. Main atrium of Piarco International Airport.
Why is the atrium of a house built?
The atrium was made in order to compensate for a lack of sunlight in the home.
What is an outdoor atrium?
The outdoor atrium of Family House Litvínovice is a completely private space that's well-suited for the installation of a hammock, outdoor bath, or shower. A11 designed the home to be an exploration of minimalism and privacy from the outside world.
What is the name of the house that has a rainwater collection system?
Villa Mosca Bianca by Design Haus Liberty is surrounded by outdoor terraces that cascade down to the waters of Lake Maggiore. Within the house itself, though, the central atrium not only acts as a focal point but also supports a rainwater collection system, and its operable glass facilitates passive ventilation. "It's also just peaceful watching it rain inside the house," says Dara Huang, founder of Design Haus Liberty.
What do lofty atriums bring?
The lofty atriums in these dwellings bring in light, fresh air, and greenery.
Where is the Agra atrium?
A double-height entrance atrium welcomes visitors into this multi-generational family home in Agra, India, in a project designed by the New Delhi design firm of flyYingseeds Studio. The different parts of the existing home were reshuffled, bringing together a large family.
Who built the Eichler home?
Built by Joseph Eichler, the home was designed by A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons. While bringing the home back to its former glory, the family with two children also made some modern updates. Materials original to classic Eichler homes such as interior wood paneling, aluminum sliding doors, glass walls, and VCT flooring were restored, ...
Who designed the Chicago home?
Architect Kevin Toukoumidis and his team at dSPACE Studio reworked an unusual layout of a Chicago home to fit its new owners: a family with two children and a dog. The result was a radical change without dramatic intervention, particularly of the home's large central atrium space.
What is an atrium?
An atrium is an open central court in a space. It was initially identified in houses of ancient Rome and later in Christian basilicas. Vitruvius named 4 types of atriums based on the typology observed then, namely: atrium testudinatum, atrium tuscanicum, atrium tetrastylicum, atrium corinthicum.
What is an open sky atrium?
This open to sky atrium is designed to create a sense of seclusion from the world. It has an outdoor bath and can accommodate a hammock, almost like an in-house picnic spot.
What is the double height atrium?
The double-height atrium in this home was designed to act as a congregation space for the multi-generational family that the house is a home to. The staircase winding around it makes it accessible to all.
What is the home of the snail inspired by?
The home is inspired by a snails’ shell and hence all spaces are planned around the central atrium spiraling along the axis. The atrium was also designed to compensate for the lack of sunlight in the space.
What is an atrium in a house?
Residential courtyards and atriums are open-air or roofless spaces similar to patios. Traditionally, atriums are surrounded by at least three walls and are situated in the center of a house. A courtyard can also be surrounded by walls or buildings but is positioned in the center or at the entrance of a home. Both blend the indoors and outdoors and ...
What is a courtyard in a house?
Viewed as another room of the house, a courtyard is an open-roofed space that can be redefined to fit a homeowner's lifestyle and needs. Some courtyards are open-air entertainment centers, while others house outdoor kitchens, fire pits or fireplaces, and outdoor living room furnishings.
Why do people have courtyards in their houses?
Modern courtyards in houses are all about privacy. Everyone seems to love the idea of an outdoor room. Because it is often located in the center of a house, a courtyard can be viewed from many rooms. Courtyard doors or windows can be opened up to other parts of the house, making the spaces more accessible to one another and further creating that indoor/outdoor feeling. Using a smartphone app, a homeowner can control large doors or expanses of glass to quickly open up and access the courtyard.
What are the advantages of a courtyard?
Courtyards provide several advantages, including: 1 A framework within which other types of landscape layouts can be developed 2 Privacy and seclusion 3 Creating microclimates for various types of plants 4 Walls and privacy or outdoor screens can be created with various types of plants or constructed of trellis-type or permanent building materials
Where were courtyard apartments popular?
In the early 20th century, courtyard apartments were popular in Southern California as a gathering place for residents to enjoy the pool, barbecues, socialize, or simply enjoy the nice weather. Courtyards were built into some of the nicer multi-family high-rise apartments in Chicago in the early 1900s, before the Depression.
Who designed the Eichler homes?
Eichler Homes. The landmark Midcentury Modern homes built by Joseph Eichler in the 1950s and 1960s included a courtyard—or atrium—in the middle of the single-story homes, which were mostly in California. Recalls Eichler architect August Rath in an interview for the Eichler Network : "Enter through an almost windowless front facade ...
What Is an Atrium?
An architectural atrium is an open-air or sky-lit court space. Today, they are found in modern and contemporary buildings and homes. In an open-air atrium, the space is surrounded by walls or columns with multiple entrances into the main building or home. Open-air atriums are not covered, offering an open view of the sky. Atriums are integrated with a structure; i.e., they could be considered an "atrium room" – not just an outdoor space next to a structure, according to Whole Building Design Guide.
What does the word "atrium" mean?
The word atrium actually means “black," as the first atriums were covered spaces. Rising smoke from fires would cause the ceiling to become discolored. Later, the roof was removed, leaving an open-air room. In the Roman Empire, atriums had pools for catching rainwater.
Why do apartment buildings have courtyards?
In many cases, housing complexes, condominiums and apartment buildings utilize courtyards to create a shared, common, outdoor space, reports Lunchbox Architect. Courtyards offer ventilation to create a cool, breezy environment. Warm air rises to the top of the space, while cool air from the indoor spaces is pulled into the open area.
Why are courtyards and atriums different?
Depending on their design, atriums and courtyards reduce energy costs due to the influx of air and light. They have been utilized in landscaping and architectural design throughout history.
What is the difference between a courtyard and an atrium?
Natural light entering the space provides an area to grow a garden or a variety of other full-sun plants. Courtyards are outdoor spaces that contain indoor elements, such as places to cook or sit, while atriums bring a little piece of the outdoors to an indoor space. av-override.
What is a courtyard?
A courtyard is also an open-air space. It typically offers little to no cover from the elements. Buildings and homes are built up around an outdoor area, which is then outfitted with benches, paved areas, plants and other elements to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional design. In many cases, housing complexes, condominiums and apartment buildings utilize courtyards to create a shared, common, outdoor space. Courtyards offer ventilation to create a cool, breezy environment. Warm air rises to the top of the space, while cool air from the indoor spaces is pulled into the open area.
What was the Roman atrium used for?
In the Roman Empire, atriums had pools for catching rainwater. Early medieval Christian churches often utilized atriums or courtyards as a covered, open space at the front of the building.

How to Embrace Nature in Your New Dream Home
The Atrium Style’s Backstory
- In ancient Rome, the atrium was both a decorative and functional feature of the home. It was the focal point – the main entertaining space as well as a way to allow light and air into the other rooms. In a time without electricity, the atrium provided much-needed light and ventilation to the area. During Medieval times, the atrium was an open court...
Beginnings of The Atrium in The U.S.
- Fast forward to modern times and the atrium in the U.S. If Frank Lloyd Wright is credited with adapting clerestory windows into American architecture, another big name in the field – Joseph Eicher, a developer, not an architect – takes the honors for introducing the atrium to Midcentury Modern home designsand a wider segment of the residential market. Interestingly enough, it wa…
The Atrium Style Today
- Although it is centuries-old, the atrium’s concept and design remain basically the same today. Starting with its resurgence in United States in the 1900s, the atrium is now frequently found in modern style homes as well as contemporary Ranch and Country style home plans – and of course, commercial spaces. The old is “new” again with the atrium style. After all, who can argu…
Overview
In architecture, an atrium (plural: 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).
Ancient atria
In a domus, a large house in ancient Roman architecture, the atrium was the open central court with enclosed rooms on all sides. In the middle of the atrium was the impluvium, a shallow pool sunken into the floor to catch rainwater from the roof. Some surviving examples are beautifully decorated. The opening in the ceiling above the pool (compluvium) called for some means of support for the …
19th century: Glazed atrium
The 19th century brought the industrial revolution with great advances in iron and glass manufacturing techniques. Courtyards could then have horizontal glazing overhead, eliminating some of the weather elements from the space and giving birth to the modern atrium.
• Victoria Hall in Halifax Town Hall, 1863
• Atrium at the center of the Bradbury Building in Los Angeles
Modern-day atria
Fire control is an important aspect of contemporary atrium design due to criticism that poorly designed atria could allow fire to spread to a building's upper stories more quickly. Another downside to incorporating an atrium is that it typically creates unused vertical space which could otherwise be occupied by additional floors.
One of the main public spaces at Federation Square, in Melbourne, Australia, is called The Atrium a…
See also
• Cavaedium
• Quadrangle
• Panopticon
Further reading
• Roth, Leland M. (1993). Understanding Architecture: Its Elements History and Meaning. Oxford, UK: Westview Press. p. 520. ISBN 0-06-430158-3.