Layout Characteristics and Design Principles of Atrium Integrated Space

With the development of China's cruise tourism industry, it is necessary to study the design and construction of cruise ships, especially the central atrium, which is an important part of public area design and represents the quality and characteristics of the entire ship's design. However, compared with Europe, China's research foundation for large-scale cruise ship design is still lacking. Therefore, studying the spatial layout characteristics of the central atrium is of great significance for improving China's cruise industry. This article focuses on the design principles and characteristics of integrated space layout in the central atrium of cruise ships. By applying basic theories from architecture, shipbuilding engineering, aesthetics, international maritime safety conventions and technology to analyzing representative central atria from 25 typical domestic and foreign cruise brands through data collection and research methods including mathematical statistics methodology, clustering methodology and cases research methodology. Through comparison and generalization of the cases, the study eventually summarizes six overall principles and four structural principles for designing integrated space in the central atrium of a cruise ship. The six overall principles include safety, rationality, applicability, artistry, coordination and technique-economics. The four structural principles include clear space circulation, natural spatial connection, theme coordination & unification and prominent key levels. This study provides insights into designing integrated space in the central atriums of cruise ships that hopefully can be applied in improving China's cruise design work while also supporting guidance for future related fields. Keywords: central atrium of cruise ship, integrated space, design principles, functional layout, decoration style