The purpose of the Atria is to cover the links between the above ground airport terminals and below ground station, keeping weather out. The atria allow as much light in as possible and the facades to the Atria appear as transparent as possible with due consideration to the climate inside.

Each atrium is approximately 60m long by 20m wide by 36m high from base level. A 6m x 8m x 300mm thick reinforced concrete stair core rises from foundation level in one corner of each Atria. The core supports a 4.5m deep x 1.5m wide x 100mm thick tapered propped cantilever spine beam. The spine beam is supported at the other end by an ‘A’ frame column and stability truss. Secondary structural tie ‘rib beams’ spring from the spine beam each at 3cm centers. These rib beams which form a point at the facade end support prestressed cable facade trusses. These 1.2m deep lightweight facade trusses spaced at 3m centre around the perimeter of the atria are tensioned all the way to the ground where they are anchored. The glass facade is supported off these trusses.

he glass walls are the largest of their type to be built. The use of very high strength materials and tension truss configuration has resulted in a slender, transparent Structure.