Threshold Study

Question

Does the depth of a building's entry threshold measurably change how people use the space immediately inside it?

Methodology

Observational study of pedestrian dwell time at entrances of varying depth across six completed projects.

Observations

Entries deeper than 2.5m saw significantly higher informal dwell and conversation than flush entries.

Findings

A threshold functions as a distinct room, not a transition, once it exceeds roughly one body-length in depth on each side.

Conclusion

Entry sequences deserve area allocation in the brief, not just detailing attention at documentation stage.