An open courtyard at a church's entry, generally encircled by covered aisles. The atrium of the Early Christian church was initially a waiting area for catechumens during the Eucharistic rite. It became a place where Christians could meet and discuss religious matters away from non-Christians.
The atrium is still found in modern churches but its purpose has changed. Now, it is used as a space for light refreshments after church services or as a lobby between interior rooms. Some churches have preserved their original atria, while others have replaced them with other spaces. The presence of an atrium can be seen as evidence that the building is old and/or historic.
In Roman Catholic churches, the atrium usually contains a large central column supporting the roof. This is called the "triglyph" (triangle) column because of the three holes which once held wooden triglyphs (three-sided sculptures) that covered it. Today, these columns are often made of marble or limestone and serve as seats for priests during service. They are also used to store items such as Bibles and hymnals when not in use.
Atriums are important elements in understanding early Christian architecture. They provide much-needed light and air to buildings that would otherwise be very dark and dank.
An atrium is an open center court in architecture, first of a Roman home and subsequently of a Christian basilica. The atrium idea had a rebirth in household and commercial architecture in the twentieth century. It can be found in many modern buildings, especially in North America.
In a Roman house, the atrium was the central space, usually covered by a dome. It was used for various purposes: as a living room or dining room when not all together; at certain times of the year when plants could be grown inside the atrium; for social gatherings when wine was served; as a market place when slaves were sold; etc. The atria of wealthy people may have been decorated with paintings or mosaics.
The atrium was the only part of the house that did not get any natural light. So windows were added to it at some point in time. Today, people tend to use their atriums for outdoor activities too, so they need to be able to let in some light.
The word "atrium" comes from the Latin atrio, meaning "open area". In a Roman house, this area was always opened up to the elements, even if it was just a small courtyard.
An atrium (plural: atria or atriums) is a wide open-air or skylight-covered space surrounded by a building in architecture. Atria were a typical feature in ancient Roman homes, giving light and ventilation. Modern houses often have at least one atrium or other form of internal courtyard.
In buildings with atria, the spaces are used for various purposes such as air circulation, light and view, but also for social interactions and entertainment. Atria can be found in many different types of buildings, but they are most common in houses built before the advent of indoor plumbing. Today, atria are becoming popular features once again in modern residential construction and some commercial buildings.
Atria can be either natural or artificial. Artificial atria are usually made out of glass or plastic and are found in public buildings such as museums, while natural atria are part of private homes. Artificially created atria can be divided into two main categories - self-contained atria and linked atria. In self-contained atria, the atrium is completely separate from any other room in the house and has its own exterior door leading to a garden or another area outside of the house. In linked atria, on the other hand, the atrium is connected to other parts of the house via a series of doors and windows.
An atrium is an open-roofed area of a structure that currently often has a glass roof. Although the atrium has developed throughout time, the essential architecture has remained consistent. The first atria were part of large public spaces used for gatherings and entertainment. As cities grew and civilization advanced, atria became important functional components in residential buildings. Modern atria are typically located on the second floor or higher and serve as entertaining areas, shopping malls, or community centers. They are also becoming popular as green space in urban environments.
Atria can be either free-standing structures or they may be part of another room within the building. They usually have a ceiling made of beams or joists which are connected with horizontal members called "battenboards". The battenboard ceiling provides support for hanging objects such as lights and air-conditioning units. Under this battenboard ceiling is the actual flooring which may be made of wood, carpet, or any other material you desire. This is also where any furniture or appliances located in the atrium would normally be stored. At the far end of the atrium from where it enters into the main part of the house or building is what is called a "transition". This is where the atrium ends and the next room begins.
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