Sightline (architecture)

In architecture and urban planning, sightlines or vistas[1] are a consideration in the design of civic structures, such as a stage, arena, or monument.

They may determine the configuration of architectural elements in theater and stadium design and road junction layout.

Many cities such as London and Paris designate visual axes in the layout of streets and squares to allow for views of famous landmarks.

[3] The stadium bowl rake if based on consistent C-values will follow a parabolic curve in section.

The curvature will be greatest closest to the pitch and will become an increasingly flatter curve as it moves to the upper rows.

It is the lowest rows of seats that are the most sensitive to the impact of the C-value because of the very flat view angle to the touch line.

The spectator view in modern stadia is optimised very carefully to balance the uninterrupted clear view to the field for every seat whilst not making the seating terraces any higher than necessary to satisfy structure, cost and safety considerations.

This is done with careful modelling utilizing the C-Value to ensure the ideal rake or curvature of the seating bowl.

The sightlines in the horizontal plane need to be considered for the front row spectators in the instance where they look acutely sideways, typically adjacent far end corner flag.

A clear view for both eyes for all front row spectators can be achieved by the use of curved stands in plan.

In 2011, Yeonhee Kim and Ghang Lee presented an algorithm to derive actual sight area in the early design stage of theater without producing a 3D model.