Personal Study: Atriums in Public Spaces

ATRIUMS IN PUBLIC SPACESÂ ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO AISHWARYA NAIR

INTRODUCTION

An atrium is potentially a major source of daylight for deep plan buildings and offers other environmental benefits in terms of solar gain, reduced energy losses and natural ventilation.

It also is a method of landscaping the interior spaces with the available natural resource and making it look aesthetically pleasing to the incoming visitors. Â

1

ATRIUM AT FORUM MALL BANGALORE

“Forum Koramangala Mall”, also known as a ‘shopaholic’s paradise’ is one of the largest malls in the country. Such shopping malls and complexes act as new places for congregation, and also as a place for social bench marking for today's generation.

DAY LIGHTING The four storied shopping complex has a well lit central atrium which during the day is flooded with natural daylight. In terms of energy efficiency, the purpose served by this atrium is fulfilled to its maximum as artificial lighting is only required during the nighttime.

Besides the open atrium, the mall has skylights on either of the ends to maximize the amount of natural lighting entering the interiors.

The double glazing glass above, supported by steel structures not only enhances the day lighting shades the interiors from harsh monsoon showers.

ATRIUM AT 3PM

2

The quality of daylight in the atrium has led to this unique characteristic. I think this can be an interesting way to check lighting levels in public spaces.

ATRIUM AT NIGHT

The atrium not only proves to be an effective source of natural light in the interiors but also serves as the selfie-spot for the incoming visitors. From youngsters to those in their middle age are found posing for a click; after all the lighting and aesthetics are set for a perfect environment for photography.

The figure shows the positioning of the central atrium increases the amount of social interactions and also becomes the highlight of the shopping centre during the day and also during the night.

3

LIGHTING DURING THE NIGHT What adds on to the features to the atrium are the floating rings and lanterns which make the interiors of the mall, aesthetically pleasing.

These suspended structures are supported by high tensile cables which are further attached to a metal frame  on the top.

The lanterns are a major source of artificial lighting which only light up once the sun sets down in the evening.

Although artificial lights consume a lot of energy, use of LED light strips or bulbs minimizes the consumption costs; the types of artificial lighting in the lanterns are LED strip lights with large lumen output.Â

The figure describes the material specifications of the suspended lanterns. The use of these materials are due to their strength, durability and their capacity to carry loads at a longer run.

ATRIUM AT 9PM

4

TECHNICAL DETAILS

This project is a great example where atrium in design provide adequate light levels into the surrounding core spaces. The spread of the incoming day lighting depends upon the size and type of fenestration, glazing materials and even the type and colour of the reflective surfaces.

As we go down the floor levels, the light to starts diffusing into its surroundings. The ground floor receives the maximum diffused daylight as it on the bottom-most level and the intensity of the incoming light decreases.

This creates a sense of focus towards well detailed architectural components in the atrium.

With large fenestration or the light well, the intensity of direct light falling on the interiors stays ample and the occupying area receives diffused day lighting. Akin to an ideal situation, the atrium covers a large diameter and the spread of light is with uniform intensity.

The walls on the top most floor on the mall is where the daylight hits first. It is a surface painted in white which does reflect light however, not so much to cause discomfort to a person’s eyes.

The figure shows the spread of natural light in the spaces around the atrium and its decreasing intensity from the top floor to the bottom-most floor of the shopping complex.

5

INFERENCE

The atrium designed for the structure of the building has done well to optimize the amount of natural daylight into the building. It is an environment friendly and sustainable method of lighting a space which is to be used frequently by people.

The size, shape, opening, orientation, etc are some of the important design considerations, crafted well for this atrium. They are usually a part of a public building (shopping malls, offices) or educational centres.

The atrium has brought in the scale and awe required for such a public space. It also gives one a sense of space and openness and allows one to breathe within a confined concrete space.

6

The atrium also makes the interior look aesthetically pleasing during the day. The natural daylight falling into the spaces brightens the mood and ambience, thus inviting more audience into the building. It could further be enhanced with artificial lights which would add beauty to the space during the night.

Lighting has played the most important component to define this essential space.

Lighting for communication and navigation take a strong place in the design and in this case it has been done successfully.