It is often complex and difficult to predict the daylighting of an atrium building. The atrium is usually expected not only to be an attractively daylit space in its own tight, but also to deliver light to adjoining spaces. Most of the light reaching these spaces will have been reflected within the atrium. This paper outlines current guidance on daylighting design for atria and reviews published techniques to calculate daylight within them, including a methodology to predict daylight factors within atria and the surrounding spaces. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.