The best atrium definition is that of a room with a roof open displaying the sky, but as with most things architecture (or even art) the atrium definition has changed with the passing of time.
Originally, the atrium definition was that of an open roof to the sky in a rectangular shape, acting as the central, most important room in Roman architectural home design. By the third century B.C. the atrium house had become overwhelmingly popular in Italy, but its use gradually declined under the Roman Empire, when it was replaced by garden houses in everyone’s hearts.
Because of that, the atrium definition got a little broader: people started to refer to any open roof as an atrium; not only the rectangular shaped ones. Soon there were circular atriums and even odd shapes like stars for the ones with a more esoteric taste.
Cut to the twentieth century and atrium make its comeback because of two factors: shopping malls and ecological awareness. Looking to save up on energy costs, many shopping malls have atriums on their roof to bring in natural light and avoid having to light up the place with electric lights, and green architecture has catered to Off the Grid Homes by increasingly using atriums and other glass structures to improve natural lighting inside houses and reduce carbon emissions and the need to depend on the power grid and power companies.
Open an atrium to your ideas and bring some light to your home buying process with a real estate agent by your side!
Popular Real Estate Terms
Provision in a commercial lease providing a financial allowance for a tenant to finish the interior of a building according to individual requirements. ...
Writ issued by the court requiring a person to appear as a witness or to provide written information in the case. A contempt of court citation may occur for failure to observe the subpoena. ...
(1) Written statement by a responsible individual or entity of the correctness and reliability of something. (2) Written permission to do something, such as receiving a real estate ...
The right to deviate from the use of land prescribed by an existing zoning ordinance. ...
Portion of a construction loan withheld by a lender from a contractor until all construction work is satisfactorily completed or sufficient space is rented in a floor loan. The holdback ...
Tank placed beneath the ground to accumulate sewage. ...
Continuous beam on top of supporting walls, usually constructed of concrete and often having steel rods for additional strength placed within it. Supplies lateral support as well as ...
Earthquake insurance is the type of insurance policy that specifically covers damages to your real estate caused by seismic activities. It can refer both to the rare coverage against ...
An insect, such as a termite, that "eats into" the wood and destroys it. This can cause significant damage to the home. Most states have laws that require termite inspection and ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.