Threshold

A transitional zone where inside and outside, or public and private, change.

Entrances, eaves, pylons, courts, and lobbies can act as thresholds. An abrupt transition feels harsh, while an indistinct one loses direction.

Changes in material, floor level, light, and sound can announce entry into a different realm.

The engawa of Japanese architecture, temple approaches, and museum lobby sequences are useful subjects for observation.