Federation Square - Atrium

Atrium

"The Atrium" is one of the major public spaces in the Federation Square cultural precinct. It is a street-like space, five-stories high with glazed walls and roof. The exposed metal structure and glazing patterns follow the pinwheel tiling pattern used elsewhere in the precinct's building façades.

Atrium close-up

The Atrium, an elaborate cocoon of steel and glass, was inspired by Melbourne's arcades and laneways and connects the city, through Federation Square to the Yarra River.

The cantilevered form of this covered space is a location for indoor events such as fashion parades, festival launch parties and a regular book market. It is flanked by cafes and boutique stores.

Atrium - inside

The northern part of the Atrium, as a glazed covered street, provides a forecourt to the Ian Potter Centre. The southern end of the Atrium steps from the deck level over the railway down to the river. Within this transition, an indoor amphitheatre, the BMW Edge, provides a public theatre for incidental daily events, casual entertainment or ticketed musical, comedy and other performances.
The design is tuned acoustically to provide a space suitable for small to medium sized music and theatre ensembles, including chamber orchestras.

Today's Quote: I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being - Oscar Wilde.