The Beauty of the Turnabout: Designing Transitions That Speak
I’ve often felt that turnabouts— those places where a train shifts direction and the journey continues on a new track— are a lot like some of the spaces we design in homes, restaurants, and offices. They’re not the final destination, but they matter deeply. They’re the pause before the pivot, the moment that hints at what’s next.
In a home, it’s often the foyer. You don’t stay there long, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. Is the space open and full of light, or does it invite you in with warmth and intimacy? That first impression quietly shapes the way you’ll experience the rooms beyond.
In a restaurant, it’s the host stand or bar. This is where the evening begins, where the energy is established before you even sit down. From there, the experience might branch into a bustling dining room, a tucked-away corner, or even a hidden patio — each offshoot carrying forward that initial promise.
In an office, the turnabout is usually in the lobby. It’s where culture is revealed before you step into meeting rooms or collaborative spaces. A well-designed lobby doesn’t just welcome you — it prepares you for the kind of work, connection, and creativity that happens inside.
What I love about turnabouts is that they remind us that the journey is never only about the destination. The pivots, the in-between moments, are just as meaningful. In design, those spaces are storytellers. They prepare us, guide us, and create anticipation for what’s still to come.
Every space has its own role to play, and none are incidental. Just like a turnabout changes the course of a journey, these transitional places carry weight and meaning. They shape expectations, they whisper what’s ahead, and they remind us that design is never only about what we see, but how we feel as we move through it.
That’s why we consider each space so carefully— even the ones that seem fleeting. Because in the end, it’s often those pivots, those quiet in-between moments, that define the entire experience.
