Functional

• During daylight hours, atria are effective and environmentally sound sources of indoor light and warmth. Some atria are even outfitted with daylight control systems to angle the light into the building at different times of day. Atria in office buildings can also be useful as informal and invigorating meeting or presentation spaces.
  
  

Aesthetic

• An excessively horizontal building composition can be attractively broken up by the addition of an atrium. Much like a greenhouse, an atrium can be designed with the unique air flows, lighting and temperature for exotic vegetation (and human beings, for that matter) in mind. Atria that lead to the outside can be built with glass that allows light and warmth into a building, but prevents glare.
  
  

Security

• Balconies overlooking atria are often designed to prevent or at least discourage accidental falls and suicide attempts. High-risk buildings such as government offices can build atria with blast-resistant materials. Like a giant, smokeless chimney, an atrium can also be beneficial for purposes of natural ventilation and air circulation.