adma
Superstar
I seem to recall reading that Termini (named after the nearby Baths of Diocletian) is what started the habit of our generically referring to such stations as "terminals"...
Toronto Telus House - 25 York Street | 136.24m | 30s | Menkes | Sweeny &Co
I seem to recall reading that Termini (named after the nearby Baths of Diocletian) is what started the habit of our generically referring to such stations as "terminals"...
ProjectEnd
Superstar
The term 'terminal' actually comes from the station being at the 'terminus' of the rail line. 'Terminal' is merely the North American adaptation of the original term. Hence, while Union isn't quite the 'terminus' of the line, it still deserves a 'Termini'-quality building.
Ticket Hall
c/o maartmeester on Flickr
Same room from different angle (the first shot was taken from the second floor of Nike)
c/o WelsonTu on Flickr
And the fabulous central hall which I referred to earlier
c/o WelsonTu on Flickr
This atrium functions as an interior street and as such, is always packed with people. And why would a north-south adaptation of this model be a bad thing?
Just found this one from Yanfuano on Flickr which shows the continuity from exterior to interior space.
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
Rome, another shabby "world-class city"
Sorry I can't resist
AoD
Sorry I can't resist
AoD
Ryuinfinity
Active Member
Either this is a parody that I am missing, or I VERY strongly disagree with you! That building is ugly if I've ever seen it.The term 'terminal' actually comes from the station being at the 'terminus' of the rail line. 'Terminal' is merely the North American adaptation of the original term. Hence, while Union isn't quite the 'terminus' of the line, it still deserves a 'Termini'-quality building.
Ticket Hall
c/o maartmeester on Flickr
Same room from different angle (the first shot was taken from the second floor of Nike)
c/o WelsonTu on Flickr
And the fabulous central hall which I referred to earlier
c/o WelsonTu on Flickr
This atrium functions as an interior street and as such, is always packed with people. And why would a north-south adaptation of this model be a bad thing?
Just found this one from Yanfuano on Flickr which shows the continuity from exterior to interior space.
wyliepoon
Senior Member
^ One thing that can be said about Termini is that its design was ahead of its time (designed 1947 and built 1950). Features like the ticket hall has influenced airport terminal designs right up to today. It's featured in lots of architecture history books, and if there is ever a proposal to demolish it, a lot of people will protest against it.
Wikipedia holds to the "Baths of Diocletian" theory. I've been told that many English speakers thought that "termini" actually meant terminal until told that the Baths were nearby.
Wikipedia holds to the "Baths of Diocletian" theory. I've been told that many English speakers thought that "termini" actually meant terminal until told that the Baths were nearby.
ProjectEnd
Superstar
While the Termini article on Wikipedia does correctly reference the Baths as the source of the station's name, in the Train Station article, there is a larger explanation beginning with: "A terminus (or terminal, in North American parlance) is a station at which, since it lies at the very end of a line of railway..."
In short, while Termini was named after the Baths (1950ish), the idea of a terminus dates back farther than Brunel.
In short, while Termini was named after the Baths (1950ish), the idea of a terminus dates back farther than Brunel.
adma
Superstar
While the present station is 1950ish, its predecessor dated back to 1863.
I'm no Latin expert, but this may all involve dissecting the etymology of the word "terminus", rather than the mere idea of a terminus...
ProjectEnd
Superstar
Brunel died in 1859.
Regardless, I would rather leave the etymology of Roman public-transit hubs to the appropriate experts, and instead debate the potential benefits of an interior street connecting York Center to Front St.
Ryuinfinity, what would you change?
Ryuinfinity
Active Member
About termini? Mainly WAY less exposed concrete.
adma
Superstar
To return off topic, did he actually use the word terminus/terminal? Just curious.
CDL.TO
Moderator
'Terminus' is a Latin word, which would make it much, much older than 1859.
ProjectEnd
Superstar
Islambard Kingdom Brunel was the chief engineer for Britan's Great Western Railway and as such, he would have been quite familiar with the term. In addition to being the chief engineer of the GWR and among countless other projects, he was the architect and engineer of the two terminus stations at opposing ends of the line: Paddington Station in London and Temple Meads in Bristol. Furthermore, he was also the engineer of Liskeard railway station, a small stop on the GWR and Reading station, a larger transit hub in the city of Reading. Both are not terminus-style stations, but rather fly-through stations similar to our own Union.
Brunel was a man of stunning talent. Though he died at age 53, he engineered a revolution which propelled Victoria and her grand empire to the forefront of modern society. Among other indulgences, Brunel was known to smoke over 40 cigars each day and though he was married, his fondness for sexual intercourse led him on many 'pursuits.'
There are lots of good books on Brunel, but I particularly enjoyed these three...
Brunel: The Man Who Built the World
Brunel: The Life And Times of Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame also did a special on him for BBC's Greatest Britons series a couple of years ago. In typical Clarkson fashion, it is fantastic.
Greatest Briton: Brunel
Mongo
Senior Member
To add to the above:
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
So he is also, in a way, one of the great-great-great-grandfathers of the Internet. He also left his mark in another way:
A fascinating man. He definitely ranks as one of the most important creators of the modern world, in my opinion.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
So he is also, in a way, one of the great-great-great-grandfathers of the Internet. He also left his mark in another way:
A fascinating man. He definitely ranks as one of the most important creators of the modern world, in my opinion.
taal
Senior Member
Heads up guys/gals ... there's some glass up on this one now. Not on the tower portion of the building but on the north side of the podium ... couldn't get a picture. You can see it if you walk on the West side of the site. I don't think it'll be indicative of the rest of the building so I won't pass any judgments right now.
Sir Novelty Fashion
Senior Member
You read THREE different books on Brunel?