Estimates some 200 atrium buildings of various types have been constructed in Japan since 1982. Describes trends in their construction and design, based on material in design magazines. Also classifies the design methods of thermal environmental control of 14 buildings. Makes reference to the technical literature and compares measured data on vertical temperature profiles in the atria. Finally, discusses the relationship between the temperature gradient and the type of atrium with different environmental control methods.

KEYWORDS: year 1995, Atria, Japan, design, construction, microclimate, indoor, climate, comparing, temperature difference, vertical