Atriums

Most multi-floored establishments, such as corporate buildings and hotels, have a central Atrium located near their main entrance doors.

An Atrium is a design/construction which belongs to modern architecture. It is a large open space, standing for about several stories high whose function is mainly for heating and ventilation. Proprietors also like having an Atrium because it adds up to the appeal of their building – an Atrium makes it “spacious” and peaceful in the eyes. It certainly provides a good image to a building and therefore, can attract more investors, tenants, or visitors in the future. Aside from large windows and semi-transparent roofs, flora and fauna landscaping, fountains, and chairs, make up the over-all appearance of an Atrium.

Although numerous Fire-prevention organizations criticize Atriums because they could trigger quicker spreading of fire in the building's upper floors, a lot of modern building owners still opt to maintain an Atrium in each of their properties (or plan to have one in their next construction project).

Atriums can also be formed by the enclosure of two or more neighboring buildings, sometimes identical ones, like in the case of twin towers.

The two most popular Atriums are found in Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas and Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.