HAVE YOU got excited when you see a huge space reaching the sky connecting all floor spaces with the sun shining bright on top during the day? Did your head turn up at such a space? Do you know what it is? Yes, it's the atrium.

What is an atrium? It is the main or central inner hall of an ancient Roman house, open to the sky at the centre and usually having a pool for collection of rainwater.

Later, the forecourt of an early Christian church flanked or surrounded by porticoes.

Now an open, sky-lit court around which a house or building is built.

The catching concept of linking people with the sky even inside a building is achieved by the introduction of atriums.

During the day the sky lights up the atrium whereas at dusk, the floodlights of atrium lights up the surroundings.

Some characteristics of an atrium:

The central atrium becomes the focus of the large space where everyone could view and look into. It gives a general info of the spaces in various floors, which are seen from the atrium.

Venturi effect

It provides proper air circulation and lighting within the building. The Venturi effect is more efficient in atriums. It is due to this effect that air reaches various floors and gradually gets cooled down making the space cooler. The heated air escapes through vents at the top.

These atriums can be provided with fountains and landscaped courts at the base level making the space flow up and can be surrounded by brightly painted or more intricate handrails for the staircases, ramps etc.

The handrails decide the image of the atrium, classic if ornamental, and minimalist, if contemporary. The flooring pattern of the atrium should be done with vibrant shades, as they cater to every level exposed to the atrium.

The respite for the user of having shocking colours actually soothes the nerves. The atrium becomes the hub of all the activity serving as the entrance and movement zone and usually linking all the floors it is exposed to. The atriums can be used as a lobby space, cafeteria, or a grand receiving area.

Thus pertaining to relaxation, recreation and entertainment.

Lots of space

Spaciousness within the building is created using atrium and spaciousness beyond is achieved with views from atrium to the landscape. It gives a fresh working environment. It can be roofed with space frames and heat reflective glasses. These allow only light to enter the building and reflect the heat rays.

The atriums need not be placed essentially in the centre of the building. They can be placed even at corners with two sides exposed to the exterior providing richness to the façade. Travelling up in one of the glass elevators in any atrium gives changing views of the atrium and through the glass, the outside city, when the atrium is in the corner or exterior façade.

Proper proportion of the atrium is also very important. The height of the atrium should not be more than eight times the minimum length and breadth of the atrium. When the choice comes to the selection of the type of atrium we have: