Modo's Architectural Glossary: Atrium vs. Double-Volume vs. Mezzanine

The Double-Volume Space: For Drama and Connection

A double-volume space is the most common of the three terms. It simply refers to a room or area that spans two storeys in height, with no floor in between. Think of a living room with an exceptionally high ceiling, where you can look up and see the ceiling of the floor above you.

Its Purpose:

• Creates Drama: The primary function is to create a dramatic sense of scale and vertical space, making a room feel grand and expansive.

• Enhances Light: It allows for tall, stacked windows that can draw natural light deep into the core of a home.

• Connects Floors: It creates a strong visual and acoustic connection between the ground floor and the upper level, such as a passage or landing overlooking the living area.

Best For: Living rooms, entrance halls, and main entertainment areas where you want to create a "wow" factor and a feeling of generous, open space.

The Atrium: The Central Heart of Light

An atrium is a specific type of double (or multi) volume space. Its defining feature is that it's a large, skylit space located centrally within a building. Historically, it was the open central court of a Roman house. In modern architecture, it's typically enclosed by a glass roof.

Its Purpose:

• Centralizes Light: Its main goal is to be a central "heart" that funnels natural light down through the centre of the building, illuminating multiple floors and surrounding rooms.

• Aids Ventilation: It can act as a thermal chimney, allowing warm air to rise and escape through upper vents, promoting natural ventilation.

• Focal Point: It often serves as a central circulation point, with staircases and passages organized around it, and may contain planting or water features.

Best For: Larger homes or commercial buildings where interior rooms would otherwise lack natural light. It serves as a beautiful and functional solution to brighten the core of a building.

The Mezzanine: The In-Between Level

A mezzanine is a partial, intermediate floor between two main storeys of a building. Crucially, a mezzanine does not extend over the whole floor area and is typically open to the level below it. It is a way of adding usable floor area within a double-volume space.

Its Purpose:

• Adds Function: It adds extra functional space—like a home office, a library, or a lounge area—without completely closing off the height and light of the double-volume room.

• Creates Zones: It’s an excellent way to create a distinct zone that feels connected to, yet separate from, the main space below.

• Enhances Views: It can provide an elevated vantage point overlooking the main living area or out through high-level windows to the view beyond.

Best For: Creating a cozy, functional nooks within a larger, taller space. It offers a clever compromise when you want both the drama of a high ceiling and the practicality of more floor space.

In Summary

Understanding these terms helps in the conversation about how you want your home to feel. Do you crave the soaring drama of a double-volume living room, the central, light-filled heart of an atrium, or the clever functionality of a mezzanine? By exploring these concepts, we can craft a space that is perfectly tailored to your vision.