Animal rights group PETA has issued a strong demand to the five anonymous architects in the running to design the new $130 million Bezos Learning Center at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington, D.C.
In response to the Smithsonian Institution’s recent unveiling of the final quintet of prospective designs, the group penned a letter in which it implored NASM Director Christopher Browne to require the use of bird-friendly glass in the final winning construction. PETA was alarmed by the use of reflective glass in the majority of the proposals and noted that the city lies along a major migratory route that could further endanger the lives of avian species who are killed by up to a billion annually as a result of similar buildings.
“Reflective glass windows lead to deadly crashes, while animal-friendly design elements such as masking films, frits, and ultraviolet patterns can save untold numbers of birds’ lives,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in a separate statement. “Given that many of the engineering marvels at the National Air and Space Museum were inspired by birds’ flight, it’s vital that the museum award a design that lets birds safely share the sky.”
As a federally-owned property, the new facility is already included in the Bird-Safe Building Act that went into effect in July of last year and requires “at least 90%” of the structure to be composed of a bird-safe alternative from the ground level up. Proponents say the Smithsonian could therefore set a noteworthy precedent that is in keeping with its institutional mission to highlight technological advances on a national stage.
The letter pointed to Populous’ design for the new Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee as a superlative example of the use of bird-proofing interventions such as ceramic frits, patterned screens, and solar shades that have been developed considerably over the past decade. Ennead, FXCollaborative, and others have been influential in leading the research and implementation of similar products in the commercial market. PETA will now hope for their incorporation in the 50,000-square-foot final design before a winner is selected in 2023.
9 Comments
PETA is not a intelligent source on anything. Don't give those kooks more publicity.
This seems so obvious to me and I'm glad PETA is advocating for it. Literally why would you not save thousands of wild birds' lives every year?
Most jurisdictions have friends of the birds groups and most have bird friendly glass requirements. The point here is that PETA is a fucking idiotic group and they should not open their mouths on any subject. Also, it's millions of birds.
You aren't saying anything intelligent or presenting any valid points. I don't see any other groups stepping up to ask that these animals' lives be given consideration in the planning of this massive project except for PETA. So if you're concerned about the "millions of birds," maybe do something positive for them instead of sitting behind your laptop spewing hate speech against the people who are trying to help them.
I do plenty since we do specify bird friendly etched glass on our buildings when appropriate. There are so many vocal groups about this stuff and most glass manufacturers have standard products. The point is, PETA is nothing but delusional cunts and they should be put in there place. They do not have a say in this because they're delusional wackos. How about you take 10seconds and read up on the subject before creating an account and jumping into a discussion you're not familiar with.
I suspect that there are a few birds on here pretending to be humans, non.
Yes! Preventing needless bird deaths should always be a priority when designing buildings. It's the least we can do.
we already do. PETA is clueless and drumming up fake outrage for publicity.
Non Sequitur: "....avian species who are killed by up to a billion annually as a result of similar buildings." Maybe you do (thank goodness) but other buildings exist and birds are killed due to the reflective design. Now with these new mock-ups containing the same design, I'm glad that PETA is speaking up to be sure that birds' lives aren't playing second fiddle to aesthetics.
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