It wasn’t until I started getting into architecture when I realozed just how many apartments have atriums (atria?) Hotels as well. Now I’m curious about what benefits they have over closed corridors on each floor. I read some things about it being beneficial for passive ventilation, but are there anything else beneficial about them to warrant them being so popular?

What about the drawbacks? Like, wouldn’t sound be transmitted pretty easily through it and you’ll be able to hear more of your neighbours as well as whatever’s going on in the lobby/common area? Also, why not just use the space the atrium takes up to make each unit bigger, or the building footprint smaller?

What are your thoughts on atria? Do you like them? Hate them? Any other benefits and drawbacks I’ve not thought of?