They used computer modeling to design a pair of buildings, one of which works like a gigantic, curved mirror. The glass surface of the northernmost building reflects light down into the shadow cast by its southern partner. And the carefully defined curve of that glass allows the reflected light to follow the shadow throughout the day. — wired.com
8 Comments
To bake it's neighbor, to roast the plaza's human occupants, to keep the crows away? What is the purpose of such an exercise? In the summer months, the shadow might be a welcome occurrence, in the winter is there really enough sun in London to warrant such a thing, and would the winter sun REALLY be reflected into the plaza, or just into the neighboring building? Fun exercise, but what is the practical advantage of such a design?
If there is any justice in the world they will build it next to the WalkieTalkie building and they can melt each other.
Kind of like the billionaire's version of BattleBots, I like it!
LOL you guys. Like in Phillip Reeve's Predator Cities series, but building-to-building.
Honestly, the research is useful, but maybe for things like vertical gardens rather than human habitation. I've always thought that reflected light is unconfortable, though it could certainly be mediated in ways that could make it enjoyable.
Tonight on ESPN the title bout: LASER vs. BLAZER.
It only works in a certain part of the year right?
I didn't see that plaza rendering, but that looks borderline hellish, all the halmarks of an unpleasant experience in one place. Lots of hard surfaces to absorb heat, high albedo finishes that will be sure to blind any human of the glare alone fails, and a focused beam of light that seams tailor made to act as some kind of solar oven. OK, enough ripping for a day, but if Logan's Run needed an alternative site to their weekly (?) carousel event they couldn't do much better...
++ 'Nerd, that was my first thought. And what about the building occupants - don't some of the get to face a huge brilliant solar reflection? Something tells me this is barely half-baked.
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