Illustrated Architecture Dictionary
Atrium
Plural: atriums
1 - A courtyard or patio surrounded by a house (such as an ancient Roman house)
May be open to the outside or be roofed with skylights to admit natural light; typically contains plants
2 - An open area in the center of a multistory building (such as a hotel) that extends to the top of the building; usually have a fountain or pool or plants and a skylight
Rooms on the upper floors are commonly accessed by balcony-type corridors overlooking the atrium.
Peristyle: An open space surrounded by columns
Courtyard: An open space surrounded by walls or buildings, adjoining or within a building such as a large house or housing complex.
Examples from Buffalo:
- Illustration above: Genesee Building/Hyatt Regency-Buffalo
- Market Arcade
- Old Post Office / Erie Community College
- Ellicott Square Building
Examples out of Buffalo:
