Atriums are “open-roofed entrance halls or central courts in an ancient Roman house”. Within this brief the atrium is the main entrance space, taking the height of three floors of Birmingham City’s new academy building.[7]
They require a significant amount of light, durable furnishes and flexibility within design. When considering the aesthetics and the overall feel of the space, it is important to soften the combination of all floors by manipulating level changes.
Image 1: Atrium design in Abu Dhabi.
Atriums are often designed as informal meeting space where both intellectual and social exchange can take place. With this in mind I must also ensure to specify durable finishes to maximise pedestrian flow.
For a successful project it is essential that I find a balance between ensuring that the natural light reaches all corners of the room and that I also take advantage of the height of the space.
The Atrium will be filled with several office working pods. Design for educational spaces is rapidly changing, due to the recognition of the different types of work that commence in universities, from exam revision to group projects. This variety in working environments needed has put a pressure on space.
Image 2: Bar chart of questioned students.
The bar chart above represents the wasted space in working environments. Modern design firms, as mentioned in the London showroom blog, are producing pieces that are accommodating for more students in less space. This is what I must consider when designing my pods.
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