You are standing in the —and it is telling you a story. The Handshake of the Building If a building were a person, the lobby would be its handshake. Is it firm and confident? Weak and cold? Or warm and welcoming?
Then, for a bleak period in the 1970s and 80s, we decided lobbies should be efficient, beige, and depressing. Thankfully, we realized our mistake. Today, the lobby is making a roaring comeback as the social heart of the building. Next time you walk into your building, don't just look at the floor. Look at the light. Feel the temperature. Notice the flowers. Main Lobby
If you are a property manager, architect, or homeowner designing an entry: It is the only room in the building that everyone uses. It sets the price in the renter’s mind. It dictates the mood of the employee. You are standing in the —and it is telling you a story
First impressions are everything. We hear it about job interviews, first dates, and book covers. But we rarely think about it regarding the buildings we live, work, or stay in. Weak and cold
But stop for a second. Look around.
We rush through it every morning, juggling coffee and keys. We scroll through our phones while waiting for the elevator. We rarely look up.