The atrium space: an investigation into the interior public space

Abstract

This research report is about the atrium space, which in contemporary usage describes a central, naturally lit courtyard, that is covered over with glass, provides a point of arrival and departure, and is both spatially and in essence the heart of a building. The idea of the atrium is not new, and in fact its origins stem from antiquity. The use of atria over time has not been confined to any particular geographical location but instead has spread around the world. Additionally, the application of atria within buildings has not been limited to any particular building type, but instead has been translated into a variety of contexts, with the atrium serving different purposes. The essence of this report is concerned with identifying the intrinsic qualities of atria and establishing how atria work spatially, and most importantly how they work socially - as places for people. Although, there are many different types of application of the atrium concept, I am only concerned with the atrium space within public or semi-public buildings. By semi-public I refer to atrium spaces within buildings, such as in Melbourne Central, that are for retailing use but the building complex itself has another function within it (also termed multi-use), such as an office tower. However, atria that exist within the bases of office buildings (single-use), or hotels are either not freely accessible by the general public or public access and use are not encouraged. Therefore these are not truly public spaces, and consequently will not be explored within this report. The types of buildings that I will explore include: institutional, civic, and retailing. It is also important to acknowledge the influence that advances in technology have had on the evolution of the atrium concept. Therefore, this report will also explore how technology has paved the way for new possibilities in atrium structure, form, and scale. Although, this report is primarily concerned with the positive qualities of atria, the negative qualities must also be explored, especially as the atrium concept has been criticised as having a detrimental effect on its surroundings because of its introverted nature. This report will explore how some architectural designers have successfully confronted this problem, resulting in a new direction for the atrium concept. Through their use of an atrium and understanding of its qualities, these architectural designers have created buildings that not only allow for an enriching experience of architecture, through form, an interplay of light, expression of materiality, etc. but also have the ability of revitalising a particular place.