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The Influence of Atrium Design on Indoor Environmental Quality

Abstract

Atriums are prominent architectural features that can significantly influence the indoor environmental quality of buildings by modifying the distribution of natural light, air movement, temperature, and visual connections within interior spaces. Their design characteristics, including size, height, geometry, orientation, glazing, and relationship with surrounding spaces, can determine their environmental performance. However, poorly designed atriums may contribute to excessive heat gain, glare, poor ventilation, and thermal discomfort. This study examines the influence of atrium design on indoor environmental quality and evaluates how architectural decisions affect occupant comfort and building performance. The study focuses on key atrium design characteristics and their relationship with indoor environmental conditions. Factors such as atrium proportions, roof configuration, skylight design, glazing area, orientation, and connection to adjacent spaces are assessed. The study also considers the position of surrounding occupied spaces and how their proximity to the atrium influences exposure to daylight, temperature variations, and air movement. These relationships are examined to determine how different atrium configurations contribute to the environmental quality of interior spaces. Natural lighting is an important aspect of atrium performance, as atriums can provide daylight deep into buildings and reduce dependence on artificial lighting. However, excessive glazing and direct solar exposure can increase glare and unwanted heat gain. Appropriate use of shading devices, glazing specifications, roof openings, and orientation can help control solar radiation while maintaining adequate daylight penetration. The study therefore evaluates the balance between daylight availability and solar heat control within atrium environments. Atrium design can also influence natural ventilation and thermal conditions by creating opportunities for air movement and stack-effect ventilation. Atrium height, openings, temperature differences, and connections between lower and upper levels can affect the movement of warm and cool air. Where appropriately designed, these characteristics may improve air circulation and reduce dependence on mechanical ventilation. Conversely, inadequate ventilation strategies may result in stagnant air, excessive heat accumulation, or uneven thermal conditions across different areas of the building. The study further considers the interaction between atrium design and other indoor environmental quality factors, including indoor air quality, acoustic conditions, visual comfort, and occupant perception. The materials and finishes used within atriums, as well as their openness and spatial scale, can influence sound transmission and users' experience of the internal environment. These factors demonstrate that atrium performance should be considered holistically rather than based solely on daylight or ventilation potential. The study aims to provide a better understanding of how atrium design can be optimized to improve indoor environmental quality. It is expected to identify design characteristics that promote adequate daylight, effective ventilation, thermal comfort, visual comfort, and healthy indoor conditions. The findings will be useful to architects, building designers, and facility managers in developing atrium spaces that contribute positively to occupant wellbeing, energy efficiency, and overall building environmental performance.

Keywords: Atrium design, indoor environmental quality, daylighting, natural ventilation, thermal comfort, solar heat gain, visual comfort, indoor air quality, atrium geometry, building performance, energy efficiency, occupant wellbeing, architectural design, environmental performance.