Hallway
Room used to connect other rooms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A hallway (also known as passage, passageway, corridor or hall) is an interior space in a building that is used to connect multiple rooms. They are generally long and narrow.[1]
Hallways must be sufficiently wide to ensure buildings can be evacuated during a fire, and to allow people in wheelchairs to navigate them. The minimum width of a hallway is governed by building codes. The minimum width of hallways in residences of the United States is 36 inches (910 mm).[2] Hallways are wider in higher-traffic settings, such as schools[3] and hospitals.[4]
History
Prior to the 16th century, European aristocratic houses had a few great rooms used interchangeably as bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. People walked through private spaces at any time.[5] In 1597, John Thorpe was the first recorded architect to replace multiple connected rooms with rooms along a hallway, each accessed by a separate door.[6]
The corridor allowed rooms to be reached without passing through neighboring spaces, still uncommon enough to need explanation in the 18th century.[5] By the Victorian era, corridors divided space between family and servants.[7]
