4.7.1. THE GRAND AXIS AS MODEL

LOUIS XIV CREATES THE STRAIGHT LINE THAT BY MERGING WITH THE HORIZON SYMBOLIZES ENDLESS MIGHT

Claude Abron

Photo taken from the top of the Grand Arch, far to the west

It harks back to the space that leads to the royal tombs:

Capitals built later adopt the model. In the United States it  underscores a political symbol or site of government: 

Zoom

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State capitals adopt it too, though more discreetly so as not to compete. 

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 Madison, Wisconsin state capital

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 Des Moines, Iowa

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Salt Lake City, Utah

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In the United States (and elsewhere?) the model is used exclusively to emphasize power.  

New York, for example, is known for its long, straight arteries. But their goal is to facilitate trafic and with no focal point, they have no message. 

Fifth Avenue

The three spectacular bullseyes — the New York Public Library seen from west 43rd Street, the Flatiron Building, and the MetLife Building — are accidental. 

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In Paris long straight streets are omnipresent 

and all those of importance 

lead the eye toward a target. 

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Next,
4.7.2. 

Perspectives and points of focus, keys to the city's grandeur