City Architecture

On the Rise

Have you ever walked downtown with time on your hands? You wander the streets aimlessly with nothing to do except count your steps and contemplate your place in the world. You get bumped occasionally by other pedestrians who are rushing back from lunch or running to an important meeting and to them you are just a slow moving obstacle blocking their way to corporate success.

You can do something about their rudeness. In fact, you can both slow them down to your speed and give them a new look on life just from a few simple actions. Stop yourself in the middle of the sidewalk next to one of the large office buildings. Raise your hand to your forehead feigning blocking the shining sun and look up! Look to the top of the building and add an awed expression to your face.

Soon everyone who notices your strange actions will slow down to a manageable speed and peer skyward in curious anticipation. They may think you spotted a jumper or a disaster in the making. They may think there are hot air balloons passing in the wind. Whatever their reasons, you have just introduced them to a secret part of the city. A part that they never noticed before: the city skyline.

The beauty of a city's top is hard to describe. It's that lost part of downtown that can be the most breathtaking. The architects who designed those buildings you pass by every day didn't stop their creativity 10 feet off the ground. But few take the time to appreciate it. If you did, someday when you are downtown and have time to appreciate more that a fast walking speed, you may see a sight that will change your perception of what the core of a city is about.

If you happen to be in Ottawa, here is what you will see:

Extra Pictures
City Architecture - 30 Pictures