forecourts

Forecourts are open, usually paved areas at the front of a building or site. They function as transitional spaces between the street and interior spaces, aiding access and circulation for pedestrians and vehicles. Forecourts often accommodate arrival amenities such as signage, lighting, seating, and landscaping, and are designed to integrate with the surrounding streetscape while guiding movement toward entrances.

In commercial architecture, forecourts vary from small pedestrian spaces in front of shops to substantial plazas in front of hotels, banks, or cultural institutions. They are planned to manage approach routes, provide shelter, and create a visual approach to the façade. Design considerations include accessibility, safety, drainage, weather protection, and the relationship to adjacent streets and public spaces.

At petrol or service stations, the forecourt is the paved area outside the convenience store where fuel pumps are located. It typically includes a canopy over pumps, payment facilities, lighting, and vehicle maneuvering space, and may include car wash facilities or service bays. Regulations often govern fuel spill containment, drainage, and access to the forecourt by different vehicle types.

Historically, forecourts have also served ceremonial or transitional functions in religious and civic architecture, acting as a dignified entry space for processions or gatherings before entering the building. Today the term emphasizes the importance of the front area in shaping arrival experiences and public interaction with architecture.