<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/27/birds-buildings-collisions-architecture>
"Chicago’s 82-story Aqua Tower appears to flutter with the wind. Its unusual,
undulating facade has made it one of the most unique features of Chicago’s
skyline, distinct from the many right-angled glass towers that surround it.
In designing it, the architect Jeanne Gang thought not only about how humans
would see it, dancing against the sky, but also how it would look to the birds
who fly past. The irregularity of the building’s face allows birds to see it
more clearly and avoid fatal collisions. “It’s kind of designed to work for
both humans and birds,” she said.
As many as 1 billion birds in the US die in building collisions each year. And
Chicago, which sits along the Mississippi Flyway, one of the four major
north-south migration routes, is among the riskiest places for birds. This
year, at least 1,000 birds died in one day from colliding with a single
glass-covered building. In New York, which lies along the Atlantic Flyway,
hundreds of species traverse the skyline and tens of thousands die each year.
As awareness grows of the dangers posed by glistening towers and bright lights,
architects are starting to reimagine city skylines to design buildings that are
both aesthetically daring and bird-safe.
Some are experimenting with new types of patterned or coated glass that birds
can see. Others are rethinking glass towers entirely, experimenting with
exteriors that use wood, concrete or steel rods. Blurring lines between the
indoors and outdoors, some architects are creating green roofs and facades,
inviting birds to nest within the building.
“Many people think about bird-friendly design as yet another limitation on
buildings, yet another requirement,” said Dan Piselli, director of
sustainability at the New York-based architecture firm FXCollaborative. “But
there are so many design-forward buildings that perfectly exemplify that this
doesn’t have to limit your design, your freedom.”"
Via
Reasons to be Cheerful Editorial Director Rebecca Worby.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
