**Etymology and History of the Lobby:**
– The word lobby comes from Medieval Latin, derived from lobia, laubia, lobium.
– Historical references to lobbies in notable locations like the Opera House of Paris and Landgericht Berlin in Germany.
**Examples of Lobbies Around the World:**
– Examples of lobbies at specific locations such as Sokos Hotel Torni in Tampere, Finland, Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico, and InterContinental Hotel in Singapore.
**Related Architectural Concepts:**
– Links between lobbies and related architectural features like galleries, atriums, genkans, and vestibules.
**References and Further Reading:**
– References to further reading materials such as the Encyclopædia Britannica and the Oxford American Writers Thesaurus.
– Articles discussing the resurgence of lobbies as social spaces and the importance of lobby atmosphere in design.
**Miscellaneous Information about Lobbies:**
– Alternative names for lobbies like foyer, reception area, or entrance hall.
– Evolution of lobbies as social spaces since the mid-1980s.
– Use of lobby decoration to convey specific images and research on improving hotel lobby design.
A lobby is a room in a building used for entry from the outside. Sometimes referred to as a foyer, reception area or entrance hall, it is often a large room or complex of rooms (in a theatre, opera house, concert hall, showroom, cinema, etc.) adjacent to the auditorium. It may be a repose area for spectators, especially used before performance and during intermissions, but also as a place of celebrations or festivities after performance. In other buildings, such as office buildings or condominiums, lobbies can function as gathering spaces between the entrance and elevators to other floors.
Since the mid-1980s, there has been a growing trend to think of lobbies as more than just ways to get from the door to the elevator but instead as social spaces and places of commerce. Some research has even been done to develop scales to measure lobby atmosphere to improve hotel lobby design. Many office buildings, hotels and skyscrapers go to great lengths to decorate their lobbies to create the right impression and convey an image.
Definition from ChatGPT:
Lobby (room):
A lobby is a room or area at the entrance of a building, such as a hotel, office, or theater, where people can wait, relax, or meet before proceeding to other parts of the building. It often serves as a transitional space between the outside and the interior of the building. Lobbies are typically designed to be welcoming and functional, providing seating, information, and sometimes amenities like refreshments or restrooms.