what is an atrium in ancient rome

What was the purpose of 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.

What is considered an atrium?

An atrium is considered “an opening connecting two or more stories other than enclosed stairways, elevators, hoistways, escalators, plumbing, electrical, air-conditioning or other equipment, which is closed at the top and not defined as a mall.” This section permits large unprotected vertical openings through floors ...

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.

Why is it called the atrium?

Although the atrium has evolved throughout the centuries, the basic design has remained the same. The word atrium (also called 'cavaedium') is Latin and refers to an open central court. Just as the left and right atria in our heart are central chambers, an atrium in architecture is a central part of buildings.

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.

Is an atrium part of 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.

What do you do with atrium in your house?

Atriums are used by architects to bring natural light into a dark house. The down side is that they allow heat in too. “You see atriums in master baths, usually with a roof. That's a good choice because the humidity isn't as much a problem,” Rose said.

What is the space between buildings called?

Interstitial space (architecture)

What is a house with a courtyard called?

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 the difference between Oracle and atrium?

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. Heart is composed of two atria and two ventricles.

What does atrium view mean?

Atrium view, means that all the room are located inside over an Atrium which is an open-roofed entrance hall or central court in an ancient Roman house.

What's the difference between atria and atrium?

The difference is that the word 'atrium' is the singular form of the structure and 'atria' is the plural form. An atrium is a chamber in a heart that receives blood either from the body or from the pulmonary system.

What's the difference between atria and atrium?

The difference is that the word 'atrium' is the singular form of the structure and 'atria' is the plural form. An atrium is a chamber in a heart that receives blood either from the body or from the pulmonary system.

What does atrium mean in a building?

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.

What is an atrium on a cruise ship?

If the bridge is the brain of a cruise ship, then the atrium is certainly the heart. 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.

What is the difference between Oracle and atrium?

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. Heart is composed of two atria and two ventricles.

What was the function of the atrium in the Roman Republic?

With the developing complexity of the domus (a more capacious residence), however, the kitchen and hearth were removed to other positions, and the atrium began to function as a formal reception room and as the official centre of family life. By the end of the Roman Republic, one or more colonnaded courts were added in the larger houses, ...

What is an atrium?

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. Atrium in the mall of the Taipei 101 building, Taipei, Taiwan. In Roman times the hearth was situated in the atrium.

What is the atrium of early Christian architecture?

The atrium, a rectangular room with an opening in the roof to the sky, and its adjoining rooms were peculiarly Roman elements; the peristyle was Greek or…. The atrium of early Christian architecture and the cloister were isolated areas for prayer.….

What is the name of the marble basin in the Atrium?

The atrium was designed either with or without columns; it had, universally, a marble basin known as the impluvium, which was situated in the centre of the room under the opening in the roof called the compluvium.

When was the Atrium of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio?

Atrium of the basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, 1088–1128.

Which churches retain the atria?

The churches of San Clemente, Rome, and San Ambrogio, Milan, and the Basilica Eufrasiana of Parenzo (Poreč) in Istria (Croatia) still retain their atria. Atrium of the basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, 1088–1128. This article was most recently revised and updated by Naomi Blumberg, Assistant Editor.

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.

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.

Which hotel has the largest atrium?

The Luxor Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada, has the largest atrium in the world (by volume) at 29 million cubic feet (820,000 m 3 ).

What is an atrium in medieval times?

In Medieval Times, the atrium was an open courtyard at the entrance that usually had covered aisles on the sides. They were often found in churches and palaces. In modern buildings they are entry rooms with a translucent roof that allows a connection between the outdoor sky and the indoor space.

Why is the atrium important to Roman architecture?

The atrium was the centerpiece of the home in ancient Roman architecture and is still used today to allow natural light in and connects the protected inside space to the outdoor environment, adding natural beauty to the space.

What are the different types of atria?

There are 5 types of atria in architecture that came about because of the need to collect rainwater and because different architects had different ideas about how to do that while providing a solid support for the roof. The five types are: 1 Tuscan - this common style had only ceiling beams to support the roof (no columns) with a downward sloping roof (in a sort of 'V' shape) to gather more rain 2 Displuviate - this style had a roof that sloped outward (like a sort of 'A' shape) to detract most of the rain 3 Tetrastyle - this style had four columns in a square supporting the beams making up the hole in the roof 4 Corinthian - this style had many columns supporting the roof, like a peristyle porch 5 Testudinate - this style actually didn't have a hole, it was roofed over and relied on windows for light instead.

Why is the atrium important?

It can originally be traced back to ancient Roman times when it was introduced as a way to increase ventilation and the amount of natural light indoors. It also allowed rainwater to be collected indoors.

Why were the Atria so popular?

Atria were originally popular in Roman architecture as a way to allow light and ventilation into other rooms. Their open roof design allowed air to circulate and also rain water to enter and collect in a pool below.

What is the modern day atrium?

The modern day atrium, as developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, added a glazed roof which meant that there was no opening and it was no longer a way to collect rainwater or improve ventilation.

What is an atrium in architecture?

Just as the left and right atria in our heart are central chambers, an atrium in architecture is a central part of buildings. Roman style atrium.

What is the significance of the atrium?

In addition, the atrium served as the setting for significant rituals for the entire household, rituals that acted not only to honor the family lars, but also to emphasize the power of the paterfamilias to the household members. It is important to note that these rituals included all members of the household, family slaves and intimate clients alike; the paterfamilias possessed power over all those living under his roof. Rituals included the tollere, whereby a newborn child was chosen by the paterfamilias to be a member of the family. Once chosen, the child was recognized as a legitimate member of the household and became subject to authority of the paterfamilias. Another ritual was the Liberalia, the rite of passage for boys around the age of 16 or 17. In this ceremony, the boys offered their toga and amulet to the family lars and thereby accepted the new toga of manhood. In addition, the marriage ceremony in which the new couple shared their sacred cake with the family lars, was held in the atrium of the husband’s home. Although the bride remained under the control of her own paterfamilias, she was received by the family and ancestors of her husband.

What is the atrium used for?

In modern architecture, the atrium is used as a greeting center, a more open space, often with a fountain in the middle, reminiscent of the Roman impluvium.

What is the tablinium in the Atrium?

Directly opposite the fauces side of the atrium lay the tablinium, a large reception room used by the paterfamilias in daily business transactions. It had little, if any, separation from the atrium in front of it and existed more as a continuation of the atrium rather than as a room of its own.

How much of Pompeii has been discovered?

Only 1/3 of Pompeii has been uncovered so far. Settled before 800 BC, Pompeii underwent several colonizations, including both Greek and Etruscan reign, before being conquered by the Romans in 310 BC. Influenced by both groups, the two-part Roman atrium house was formed by incorporating Greek garden (peristylum) elements with the Etruscan atrium, ...

What are the items found in the Atrium?

Items found in the atrium also reveal its existence as a communal room for the family. Inkwells and styli were among the pieces discovered, suggesting its use as a classroom for the children. Dolls and flutes indicate its function as an entertainment and playroom. , Spoons, and glasses point to signs of it acting as a domestic space as well.

What was the typical Roman family?

The typical Roman family consisted not only of blood relatives, but also slaves, intimate clients, and close friends.

When was Pompeii buried?

After the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, the city of Pompeii was buried in its precise historical, social, and cultural context, allowing us a glimpse of Roman domestic life. After being subject to roughly two millennia of looting, Pompeii’s location was finally discovered in the 18th century.

What Are Atrium Houses and Gardens of Rome?

The atrium house is a dwelling that has an open court in the center. The atrium played an important role as it was the major source of air and water for the house. In the center of the atrium, there was a pool that was a reservoir for rainwater (Fazio, Moffett, & Wodehouse, 2013). There were several types of atriums.

Significance of the Places

During the times of Ancient Rome, atriums and Roman gardens played several roles. As has been mentioned above, there were some practical uses. For instance, atriums were major sources of air and rainwater for the entire house. Apart from that, this was the place where the master of the house met guests or clients (Bergmann, 2012).

Conclusion

On balance, it is possible to note that the atrium house and the garden of Rome had many features in common when it came to their use. They had some practical uses, but they were mainly characterized by the spiritual component. Atriums and Roman gardens were used as a place for meeting and contemplating.

What is an atrium?

Definition of atrium. 1 : the central room of a Roman house. 2 plural usually atriums. a : a rectangular open patio around which a house is built. b : a many-storied court in a building (such as a hotel) usually with a skylight. 3 [New Latin, from Latin] : an anatomical cavity or passage especially : the chamber or either of the chambers ...

What is the atrium of a building?

English Language Learners Definition of atrium. : an open area inside a tall building that has windows to let light in from above. technical : one of two sections of the heart that take in blood from the veins. See the full definition for atrium in the English Language Learners Dictionary.

How big is the Atrium?

There is a roughly 3,800-square-foot atrium with a glass roof that opens with the push of a button.

When was the atrium revived?

The atrium was revived in the 20th century in the form of glass-covered, greenery-filled multistory spaces sometimes found in shopping centers, office buildings, and large hotels.

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

19th century: Glazed atrium

Modern-day atria

See also

Further reading