Übergangsraum

Übergangsraum, literally "transition space," is a term used in German-language discussions to denote a space that facilitates movement between two distinct domains—physical, social, or psychological. In architecture and urban design, transitional spaces are places that mediate between interior and exterior, or between public and private realms. Examples include entry halls, lobbies, corridors, porches, courtyards, and transitional zones at building edges. These spaces help regulate climate, control circulation, frame views, and support social interaction and wayfinding, acting as buffers that ease transitions.

In urban planning, transitional spaces create links between streets and buildings, neighborhoods and public spaces, and can contribute to safety, comfort, and identity. They often serve as gathering spots or thresholds that frame experience rather than isolate it.

In psychology and cultural theory, the term is used to describe a liminal cognitive or experiential space where representation and reality converge, enabling play, imagination, and the negotiation of ambivalence. It can be related to, but distinct from, transitional objects or zones of boundary experience.

In literary and art discourse, transitional space is used conceptually to analyze scenes or settings that bridge genres, styles, or temporalities, creating a threshold for interpretation.

Because the term spans disciplines, its exact meaning depends on context. Generally, a Übergangsraum denotes a temporally or spatially intermediate site that prepares, buffers, or reframes transition from one state to another.