Lobby
A lobby is a space from which one or more other rooms or corridors can be accessed, typically found near the main entrance to a building. It may be used for access, circulation, or as a waiting area, and is derived from the latin ‘lobium’, meaning a covered walk, or portico. A lobby may be referred to as a vestibule, anteroom or foyer.
The word lobby can also be used specifically to refer to a large space adjacent to a legislative chamber where 'lobbying' may take place (that is, attempting to influence members of the legislature).
Approved Document M suggests that an entrance lobby may be used to:
- Limit air infiltration.
- Maintain comfort by controlling drafts.
- Increase security.
- Provide transitional lighting.
It should be designed to allow a wheelchair user (and companion), or a person pushing a pram to move clear of one set of doors before opening the other set. The minimum size therefore is related to the size of the door swing into the lobby.
It should be free from obstructions or distracting reflections, and should be provided with a cleaning mat if rainwater may be transported into the lobby.
Approved Document B refers to a protected lobby, which is a ‘…lobby which is adequately protected from fire in adjoining accommodation by fire-resisting construction’ and a firefighting lobby, which is ‘…a protected lobby providing access from a firefighting stair to the accommodation area and to the associated firefighting lift’.
Approved Document B refers to as a firefighting lobby as, '...a protected lobby providing access from a firefighting stair to the accommodation area and to any associated firefighting lift’.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
This weeks guest editor, Ankita Dwivedi of Firstplanit.
Fropm practice to research and the business of materials.
Terms, histories, theories and practices.
Types of work to existing buildings - repurposing of buildings
Alteration and everything else before demolition.
2023 HSE data on workplace injuries and ill health
And CIOB's response.
Building Safety Act and Secondary Legislation
Presidential update from CIAT's Eddie Weir PCIAT.
Starting pistol Statement for an election campaign?
Rates freeze, NI cuts, full expensing; early election?
Positive pressure or positive input ventilation
Could this be a remedy for condensation, damp or mould?
Unlocking a Healthier Tomorrow
Report on Social housing retrofit in Scotland 2023
Call for ministerial group and National Retrofit Delivery Plan.
The Great Transformation 1860–1920. Book review.
2023 Autumn Statement in brief with reactions
Including the devolved governments, CIOB, ECA, APM and IHBC.
Irish Life Sciences HQ, an exemplar of adaptive reuse
AT awards small to medium size project category winner.
Formal and informal adaptive re-use or new use of buildings.
Broken Record. Emissions Gap Report 2023
Temperatures hit new highs, yet world fails to cut emissions (again).