How do shopping malls incorporate glass curtain walls to improve natural light in atriums or entrances?

Shopping malls commonly incorporate glass curtain walls, skylights and glazed atriums to flood central circulation areas with natural light, enhance visual connection to upper levels, and create inviting entry sequences that attract visitors. Curtain walls at main entrances establish a clear, luminous threshold that draws passerby footfall, while large atrium glazing creates a central daylit space for events, seasonal displays and wayfinding. Designers often pair double-height glazed atriums with fritted or diffusing glazing to avoid direct sunlight on merchandising and to maintain comfortable thermal conditions in hot climates such as those in the Gulf. Daylight harvesting strategies tied to adaptive lighting controls reduce reliance on electric lighting during daytime, lowering operational costs. Mall façades facing external promenades use storefront glazing to show active retail displays, while enclosed interior streets benefit from glazed skylights and clerestories that distribute even light to lower levels. Structural considerations for malls include large span mullions, integrated shading systems, and laminated safety glass in high-footfall areas. Maintenance logistics like safe window cleaning systems and modular replacement units are planned to minimize closures and preserve tenant operations. In Central Asian malls—where winter daylight is prized—atrial glazing supports passive solar gains when properly oriented and insulated. Mall owners in the Middle East and Central Asia aim to balance daylight quality, thermal performance and tenant display needs so the glazing enhances shopper comfort and commercial performance.