The New Atrium

One of the most significant developments in architecture during the past two decades is the resurgence of the atrium. Known and used in the past-but largely dormant in the first sixty years of this century-atria have suddenly acquired explosive new life, utilizing today's technological breakthrough in dramatic large-scale manifestations. As a result, the atrium has become the focal element in many of our most prestigious and exciting new buildings. Often breathtakingly spectacular, this glass-enclosed space in the center of a building can give it a spatial heart and soul. Atria admit natural light where it ordinarily would not be expected; serve as eye-catching settings for plants, waterfalls, fountains, and art; and provide both orientation and drama as people move about them and through them on special elevators, escalators, stairs, bridges, and galleries. This book covers the new atrium thoroughly and in detail-from its historic and contemporary evolution to its role in urban planning, architectural design, and historic preservation. Just a glance through the contents will demonstrate the book's comprehensiveness and depth. For example, it offers full chapters on: *The Atrium and Urban Design - A unique presentation of the many ways in which atria can be utilized to enhance the design of cities and make them more livable. Included is complete coverage of such topics as urban form, the atrium as public place, the plaza atrium, and commercial atria. *Design Analysis - An in-depth survey of atrium typology, programmatic uses, economic advantages, and design guidelines - material that is essential to architects, builders, developers, planners, and other decision makers in the field. *Design Development - A valuable summary of all of the important current technical, code, and detail considerations required to design and construct a successful atrium - indispensable to the practicing architect. Here too is coverage of finishes, glazing systems, vertical transportation, and interior landscaping. *The Historical Development of the Atrium - The first complete current treatment of this vital subject, covering the origins of the atrium in antiquity and the three major epochs of its development. *Energy Performances - A detailed, yet easily understandable analysis of the potentials for energy conservation in heating, cooling, and daylighting with the atrium building form. And that's not all! The New Atrium also features richly illustrated design studies of 47 notable atrium buildings-with detailed descriptions, evaluations, and analyses, floor plans; sections; and interior and exterior photos. Here are such classic atrium hotels as the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (Edwards & Portman) and the newest atrium hotels, such as Vista International in Washington, D.C. There are office buildings of all kinds (corporate, government, and tenant) from the Ford Foundation Headquarters in New York to Hercules Plaza in Wilmington, Delaware. Here too are museums and libraries, such as the Yale Center for British Art and the Exeter Academy Library (both the work of architect Louis I. Kahn); college buildings, like the University of Rochester's Wilson Commons (I.M. Pei & Partners); hospitals, such as Philadelphia Children's Hospital (H2L2 Architects/Planners); housing, like Boston's Constitution Quarters (Anderson Notter Finegold Inc.): government buildings, like the State of Illinois Center (Murphy/Jahn Architects); multi-use projects, such as Citicorp Center in New York (Hugh Stubbins Associates); and many more. Serving as both an authoritative reference guide and an invaluable source of inspiration, The New Atrium provides in one volume a wealth of timely information to help architects, engineers, developers, and other building professional to conceptualize, design, and execute a successful atrium building.