Structure of the Atrium

Atriums

• Atria were used extensively by the ancient Romans in their domestic architecture. Atria were open to the sky and were the center of family activities. Romans often placed religious statues and shrines in their atria. The opening in the roof sloped toward the ground to let the rainwater collect in a sunken area of the floor. As the Roman era progressed, more affluent families started to surround the atrium with rows of columns called a colonnade.

Church Atriums

• Some early Christian churches, called basilicas, adapted the atria to their own purposes, using them as large open forecourts in front of the main area of worship. They contained a basin where a churchgoer might wash his hands prior to worshiping. The space consisted of a rectangular area, with a colonnade or an arcade -- a series of arches -- on all four sides. Church atria were also used as cemeteries.

Modern Versions

• The atrium, after a long period in which architects abandoned the feature, saw a revival in the 20th century when it began appearing in large commercial buildings. A notable example, the Atlanta Hyatt Regency Hotel, designed by John Portman, opened in 1967 and drew praise for its 22-story high atrium that rose from the lobby to the roof. Atrias in modern buildings often have a prominent skylight that floods the interior with natural light.

Fire Hazards

• An atrium can present certain safety problems in case of fire. The large open space allows flames and toxic gases to travel more easily throughout the building. Occupants of offices or hotel rooms might have to pass through the atrium to find safety. Modern building codes require buildings with an atria to have sprinkler systems, barriers between the atrium and the rest of the building that have a one-hour fire resistance rating and a smoke control system.