Home Architecture Talk

What is the style of architecture in which the building has a open center. I think it's European or French?

I feel like I've seen this style of architecture in a film in which the apartment building surrounds an open center garden. I've been looking for some pictures of the style online, but I don't even know what the style is called. Please help if you know where the style orginated from and if you know of links to pictures. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. ATRIUM (Atrium Style Houses) Atrium is defined at this site as an enclosed courtyard, open to the sky, surrounding by living space. http://www.eichlernetwork.com/ENStry26.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrium_(architecture) Information and pictures of different kinds of atrium's and atrium architectural details and vocabulary: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Domus.html Pictures of Modern Atrium Houses: http://www.eichlernetwork.com/ENStry10.html http://www.eichlerforsale.com/eichler_atriums_courtyards http://www.housedesignnews.com/home-design-ideas/55-blair-road-by-ongong-pte-ltd-in-singapore/ http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/3981755/?image=7 The Atrium design originated in ancient Greece and reached prominence in the style of wealthy Romans' houses. "The atrium was the heart of the ancient Roman house." An Atrium or atrium house is the term for the enclosed on all four sides center open space designed dwelling. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_houses.htm http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=roman+atriums&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=D6LCS7u3OMGhngfJ27n5CQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCQQsAQwAw http://www.furniturestyles.net/ancient/homes/roman-atrium.html One of my best friends grew up in an atrium designed house in Houston. The atrium afforded complete privacy from the outside world, in a natural light filled central garden open to all the interior rooms. I have built two large walled courtyards in fount of my house in Ohio, but they are not atriums because in my courtyards my house is only on one side of the walled, landscaped gardens.
2. A number of architectural styles include "a courtyard". Two suggestions: - Google Image- search for the Film /movie. You may find photos of the exact courtyard in the film. -Google Image- search "courtyards" (numerous choices) or narrow search to "apartment building courtyards".