How to Design an Atrium

Designing an atrium is not just an artistic exercise, it is an opportunity to shape the experiences and perceptions of people who enter the space. People typically pass through the atrium on their way into other parts of a building or home, so the design features of the atrium will influence visitors' first impressions of the building and, by extension, their impressions of the people or institutions housed in the building. Keep the desired impressions in mind while designing the atrium.

Paper
Writing utensil

Instructions

- 1
  
  Be sure to sketch adjoining spaces, too.
  
  Draw the space you have to work with for the atrium using graph paper for an informal approach or architectural drawings for a highly technical approach. If you are designing lighting and decor for an existing atrium, draw the space as is. If you are designing the atrium itself, draw the physical space within which you must situate the atrium. You may wish to make photocopies of the drawing so you can experiment with multiple design possibilities.
- 2
  
  Tile is a common atrium flooring choice.
  
  Make a list of the various requirements the atrium must fulfill, including user needs, functions, such as like hosting events or having space for a visiting artist, safety requirements and basic physical considerations like ventilation and lighting. Being threshold spaces -- that is, spaces through which a person passes between the outside world and the interior of a building or home -- atria should have durable flooring that will stand up to tracked-in mud and snow.
- 3
  
  The choice of materials for walls and furnishings will influence whether the atrium feels "warm" or "cool" in style.
  
  Sketch design possibilities for the atrium, keeping in mind both the functional and aesthetic considerations for an entry space. Experiment with different pedestrian "flow" possibilities. Add the decorative touches that typically come at the end of the design process. For example, featuring plants in the atrium provides a pleasant view from near or far, adds a touch of nature, and even helps filter the air. Benches, tables, fountains and sculptures are other common furnishings and decorative items in atria.
- 4
  Check your favorite design against the list of requirements and relevant government building codes to make sure you have included every critical feature and met every requirement. Adjust the design as necessary. Some specific, special requirements for atria include smoke management and skylights maintenance, according to the Whole Building Design Guide.

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