Foyer

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Opera House of Paris, the Palais garnier's grand salon

A foyer [IPA: fwa'je] is a large, vast room or complex of rooms (in a theatre, opera, concert hall, showroom, cinema, etc.) adjacent to the auditorium. It is a repose area for spectators and place of venues, especially used before performance and during intermissions, but also as a place of celebrations or festivities after performance.

Usually a foyer is a large, specially designed hall, but sometimes it is a corridor surrounding the main hall. It is furnished and big enough to enable spectators to stroll, get together and rest. Foyers are commonly adorned with art works, permanent or temporary exhibitions related to the activity of the institution, and a refreshment room or buffet. Moreover, the foyer can be the main place of some events such as vernissage, meetings with the artists, actors' benefit, etc.

A foyer in a house is usually a small entry area or room by the front door. Other public rooms such as the living room, dining room, and family room typically attach to it, along with any main stairway. It was intended as an "airlock", separating the fireplace-heated rooms from the (colder, in winter) front entrance, where cold air infiltration made for cold drafts and low temperatures. It was used for outer garment storage for both residents and guests.

Social housing

In social housing a Foyer is a service that combines housing for homeless young people with other services such as guidance and support, and access to learning and work.

The Foyer movement started in France, but is now gaining popularity in other countries. The first Foyers in the UK were launched in 1992 and as of 2008 there are well over 100 in operation.[1]

See also

• Lobby

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