sightlines
Audience visibility paths
Sightlines are the unobstructed paths of vision from a viewer to what they're watching.
The term appears most often in discussions of theater, stadium, and arena design: The balcony has poor sightlines to stage left.
Architects and planners work to ensure good sightlines from every seat.
The concept extends to any context where clear views matter: Trees along the median block sightlines for turning drivers.
Theater's architectural frame
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- vantagePosition of advantage
unobstructed · blocked · obstruction · scenic · corridor · preservation · protected · birdseye
Systematic observation of subjects
- coverageExtent of inclusion
- cameraImage capturing device
- monitorDisplay or supervisor
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
patrol · checkpoint · perimeter · visibility · detection · observation · screening · watchtower
Roofed central hall
- clerestoryElevated fenestrated church wall
- glazingGlossy protective coating
- fenestrationPlacement of openings
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
balustrade · façade · transom · elevation · section · rendering · mezzanine · corridor
Sectioning areas by use
- setbackReverse in progress
- easementLimited land-use privilege
- corridorEnclosed connecting walkway
- overlayCovering placed atop
obstruction · regulation · variance · envelope · buildable · restriction · ordinance · code
proscenium
Theater's architectural frame
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- balconyRaised exterior platform
- mezzanineIntermediate story between floors
stalls · box · gallery · apron · wings · flies · grid · pit · circle · amphitheater
vista
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- overlookMiss or commanding view
vantage · unobstructed · blocked · obstruction · scenic · corridor · preservation · protected · birdseye · sweep
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
obstruction · patrol · checkpoint · perimeter · visibility · detection · observation · screening · watchtower · guard
atrium
Roofed central hall
- clerestoryElevated fenestrated church wall
- glazingGlossy protective coating
- fenestrationPlacement of openings
aperture · balustrade · façade · transom · elevation · section · rendering · mezzanine · corridor · lobby
zoning
Sectioning areas by use
overlay · obstruction · regulation · variance · envelope · buildable · restriction · ordinance · code · encroachment
- auditoriumseats, rows, aisle, aisles, stage
- auditoriumsseats, seating, rows, aisles, stage
- concert hallconcert hall, auditorium, opera house, recital hall, music hall
- stagingstaging, stage, set, set design, set dressing
- stagecraftstage left, stage right, center stage, downstage, upstage
- amphitheaterstiered seating, tiers, seats, oval shape, semicircle
sightlinesblind spots
Unperceived areas of awareness
obstructions · dead zones · pillars · columns