Atrium is the main element of ancient Roman architecture

The atrium is the central part of the Roman dwelling, an inner courtyard with other rooms. The etymology of the word comes from the Latin atrium, which means "smoky", "black". In the ancient dwellings in the atrium there was a constantly burning hearth, because of the small size of the courtyard, it could have been smoked, hence the name probably followed. In the center of the atrium was also a reservoir for draining rainwater.

This construction of a characteristic ancient Roman house arose under the influence of compositions of the people's congregations of the Greek agora and simple folk dwellings. The influence of Etruscan buildings is also felt. For several centuries the house of the Romans had no further development. Even in the era of the empire's prosperity, the atrium remained an essential part of the house. Such a predominant type of construction of a dwelling is called atrium-peristyle.

The atrium is the center of the Roman house, an open rectangular space, a compluvium. The roof of the atrium, four parts of which dropped to the middle, left an open space in the center, from which the rainwater flowed into the reservoir of the impluvium, arranged in the floor. The roof was usually based on four columns standing at the corners of the impluium.

It was the atrium that gave the unique identity to the Roman house. His scheme for Mark Vitruvius, the Roman architect, could differ in two types: a caveium, or an atrium under the open sky, the roof of which passed along a circle, and an atrium with a gallery with a continuous overlap.

Cavedium was divided into 5 types:

• Atrium tuscanicum is the most common type, also known as Etruscan. It is characterized by a concave roof with a rectangular hole in the middle, its slopes descended to the comlouvium. The roof was supported by 2 transverse beams, located at the edges of the com- pluium.
• Atrium tetrastylum was used in the installation of more extensive premises. This type was distinguished by walls perpendicular to the walls, which formed a series of rooms around the courtyard. The roof of the building was based on four columns, set at the corners of the complex.
• Atrium corinthium is similar to the previous one, but it had a larger com- plium and, correspondingly, a larger number of columns. The Corinthian type was an open courtyard with a colonnade supporting the roof, which was turned by a ramp inside.
• Atrium displuviatum had a roof with a lumen in the middle. The lumen was usually protected by a special canopy from the rain.
• Atrium testudinatum - the atrium was completely blocked by vaults.

The open atrium, created in the form of a basilica, with a covered courtyard, was bordered by two side porticos. In the back of the courtyard was a tablium (wooden gallery) with an open front facade. Tablium with inner chambers was connected by a wide span (fauces).

Initially, the inner courtyard of the atrium was separated from the street by a door, which, as was customary, was opened. But later it was locked with constipation. Entrance, more often bicuspid, doors opened inward. On the contrary, they usually had a hearth. In this part of the house the households gathered. Here slaves were slaving, with which the hostess herself often worked.

Later, the atrium is already a peculiar face of the house. It began to be divided into official (table - cabinet, atrium, triclinium), the front and the private part (cubics, peristyle - bedrooms). The walls of the patio were decorated with frescoes, the floor was laid with mosaic, and the hearth was replaced by a pool. Marble columns and statues began to decorate the atrium. The house became more pompous.

The passion for the colossal structures, which the Romans used to absorb during the heyday of the empire, prompted them to think about atriums at public facilities and temples.

In modern architecture, the meaning of the term "atrium" is somewhat different. The atrium is an open space with translucent ceilings inside the building, several floors high. When building exhibition complexes, hotels, business centers, offices of the largest companies - this is one of the most common elements of architecture.