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In theatres and other types of assembly halls, a good place to start the measurements is in the aisles. For aisles that are perfectly straight, the length measurements are fairly simple, except that care must be exercised in marking off the tape lengths, if the aisles are more than 100 ft long. When the aisles curve toward the stage, the length should be measured parallel with the seats until the tape meets the slanting seat line on one side of the aisle. Then change the direction of measurements until it is again parallel with the aisle as it cuts toward the front row of seats. In this way there will be a triangular overlapping between the two lengths of carpets. Another method is to measure down to the break and then measure back up from the front row of seats to where the tape meets the slanting seat line on the opposite side of the aisle. The whole point about measuring aisle lengths is this—if you make a mistake in measuring, it is better to be over rather than short.
Aisle Widths. Often an aisle that appears to be of equal width for the entire length turns out to be tapering or narrowing from back to front. Don't depend on your sense of perspective or parallelism—take at least four to six measurements of the aisle width, beginning at the front row of seats and going all the way back to the rear. Most theatre aisles taper considerably, in addition to converging toward the center of the stage. In balconies, the measurement of aisles get more complicated, as they are usually a combination of stairways, aisles, and wide crossovers. Frequently there is an "intermediate" tread in the steps of balcony aisles, which does not run the full width of the aisle. Either the main treads are to be figured "full" from seat to seat (which means you have to cut away at the sides of the intermediate tread), or the carpet should only be as wide as the intermediate tread itself, leaving the sides of the aisle uncarpeted. Obviously this is a matter to be settled with the owner or manager before any further planning is done.
Balcony aisles are usually of concrete or other hard surface, for which carpeting instructions have already been given (page 130). Since they are merely specialized forms of stairways, the technique of carpet laying described for stairways applies to balcony aisles as well (pages 137160).
Foyers and Lobbies. Foyers and lobbies in theatres, restaurants, clubs, auditoriums, and other public places are intended to create the first and lasting impression on the visitor or guest—to set the character and tone of the premises. Great care and attention are usually given to these areas by the interior decorator. Needless to say, the floor covering is an extremely important element of design. The carpet layer therefore should be particularly careful in measuring, estimating, planning and laying the carpet for these areas.
