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Get to know the awkwardly-named “terminated vista”

Get to know the awkwardly-named “terminated vista”

13 Apr 2012

By Scott Doyon

Read More: http://bettercities.net/news-opinion...vista%E2%80%9D

Quote:

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Basically, “vista” refers to your view as you look down a street or corridor. “Terminated” refers to any building, object or feature serving as the focal point and blocking the view from extending further.

- For the person heading that way, that spot becomes a focal point of greater prominence, so an urban designer would tell you its building should reflect that. Depending on the importance of the street, the parcel might be suited to an important civic building or monument. Downtown or on Main Street, it might be a church or prominent commercial anchor. Or, in an everyday context, the occupying building should simply make a small architectural nod to its surroundings, noting that it recognizes its enhanced role in community aesthetics and wants to contribute.

- “The Smart Growth Manual,” authors Andres Duany, Jeff Speck and Mike Lydon, explain: “Street networks that include staggered intersections, deflections, and slight curves improve spatial definition and orientation by creating memorable visual events .. When a street vista terminates on a building, it should reciprocate by placing a special architectural element on axis.” This, they assert, speaks to community values, contributes to the cues of basic navigation, and reduces car speeds.

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http://placeshakers.files.wordpress....pg?w=500&h=375

http://placeshakers.files.wordpress....pg?w=500&h=375

http://placeshakers.files.wordpress....pg?w=500&h=450

http://placeshakers.files.wordpress....pg?w=500&h=333

http://placeshakers.files.wordpress....pg?w=500&h=374

http://placeshakers.files.wordpress....pg?w=500&h=289

http://placeshakers.files.wordpress....pg?w=500&h=333

Did they really use Easton Town Center in the first two photos?!?! Oy vey!

My favorite terminating vista, two great buildings in one! :cheers:

http://www.aviewoncities.com/img/nyc/kveus2525s.jpg

Originally found here: http://www.aviewoncities.com/gallery...?key=kveus2525

I love that street in New Orleans with the St. Louis Cathedral at the end, Ive walked it many times and its especially awesome at night with their little Jesus statue lit up and then the shaddow hitting the cathedral.

The view down LaSalle Street Canyon in Chicago, terminating with the Board of Trade building. The canyon narrows at several points, applying forced perspective to make the BoT appear even taller:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0p7JX2JpMy...0/DSC_0163.jpg
AC Miller Photography

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0...7k7ao1_500.jpg
Photography by Brian Lauer

Quote:

http://placeshakers.files.wordpress....pg?w=500&h=289

That is a sexy, sexy small town/village.

this photo isn't the best example but the Toledo Cathedral does terminate some vistas on some alleys and streets in a cool way.
http://annasrecipebox.com/wp-content...l-682x1024.jpg

Terminated vista can be powerful things. My favorite in Detroit is 2nd Avenue/Street terminating into the Fisher Building in New Center:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3100/2...f07_z.jpg?zz=1
2006_1215DetDev12_15_060017 by e.det, on Flickr

Someone who didn't know better could easily mistake that as a shot somewhere in Chicago or New York. Great angle!

Does this count?

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2320/2...edd094b2_b.jpg

It was taken on a Sunday, although lower Woodward is never what you would call packed.

Another excellent example is Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts:

http://images.fineartamerica.com/ima...ill-cannon.jpg
Source

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammersklavier (Post 5673655)

Another excellent example is Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts:

http://images.fineartamerica.com/ima...ill-cannon.jpg
Source

was going to post that - supreme urban view, and the somewhat odd proportions of the city hall just reinforce that.

Nice shots, but not really what is being talked about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jodelli (Post 5673339)

Does this count?

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2320/2...edd094b2_b.jpg

It was taken on a Sunday, although lower Woodward is never what you would call packed.

Book tower is absolutely gorgeous, Detroit has so much potential.

Outstanding:

Quote:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0p7JX2JpMy...0/DSC_0163.jpg

Here is another (presumably LA in the near future):

Quote:

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__...Terminator.jpg

terminator wiki (can you believe it? there is a terminator wiki).

I've always wanted a word for this because I have always loved how dramatic "terminated vistas" look!

I believe this is an example

From i_am_hydrogen

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3592/3...c3e12211_o.jpg
Untitled by iamhydrogen, on Flickr

Also, the BOK tower in Tulsa is another example I beleive
from Kellykerr.net
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/7...llykerrnet.jpg

OMG downtown Inverness, Fl is a very good example of this. The old downtown Main Street used to overlook the courthouse. Then they redirected traffic and turned the city into an elaborate speed trap. Elvis shot a movie in it!

I wish I had a newer photo but this was the gist of it:

http://floridamemory.com/items/show/31586

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc08638.jpg

Now it's random Walgreens and parking lots.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=invern...2,1.74,,0,5.61

Similar to Philadelphia's terminated vista is the one leading up to Toronto's Old City Hall on Bay Street:

http://www.blogto.com/upload/2010/04...ity%20Hall.jpg