- #1
- 16,107
- 8,081
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the unintended consequences of architectural design, specifically focusing on a London skyscraper known as the "Walkie-Talkie," which has been reported to reflect sunlight in a way that melted parts of a parked car. Participants explore the implications of such designs, referencing similar historical cases and discussing the role of architects in these situations.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants highlight the reflective properties of the building's design, suggesting that a concave surface directed at the sun would naturally lead to overheating and damage to nearby objects.
- Others reference historical examples, such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which faced similar issues but resolved them by altering the surface texture.
- A few participants humorously suggest that the design resembles a "death ray," with references to Nikola Tesla and other historical figures associated with similar concepts.
- There is mention of the architect Rafael Viñoly, who designed both the "Walkie-Talkie" and a similar building in Las Vegas, raising questions about the lessons learned from past mistakes.
- Some participants express skepticism about the likelihood of corrective measures being taken, given the aesthetic considerations of the building's design.
- Concerns are raised about the potential for further incidents involving other vehicles or objects if the design flaws are not addressed.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree that the design of the building has led to unintended consequences, but there is no consensus on the best way to address the issue or the responsibility of the architect. Multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of the design and the historical context of similar architectural failures.
Contextual Notes
Participants note that the discussion is influenced by the specific architectural choices made and the environmental conditions in London, which may not have been fully considered during the design process. There are also references to the historical context of similar architectural mistakes, indicating a pattern of issues related to reflective surfaces.
- #2
- 15,524
- 769
Who had the bright idea (pun intended) to shape the side of a building like this?
TV interview with an solar physicist:
Last edited by a moderator:
- #3
A.T.
Science Advisor
- 13,261
- 4,183
Me, a while ago, but they beat me to it. Centrally controllable sun deflectors at the windows would allow you to point your death ray in the desired direction... muahahahah...D H said:
- #4
Crazymechanic
- 831
- 12
If Tesla would still be alive he would sue them for stealing his patent on death ray... :D
- #5
Borg
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 2,349
- 5,128
I laughed pretty hard when I saw this story this morning. Anyone who has taken even one course in optics would be able to figure out what was going to happen when you point a concave surface at the sun.D H said:
The Walt Disney Concert Hall had a similar problem but they solved it by sanding the surfaces to dull them. This one will probably be a lot tougher to solve - I don't think that they will be willing to sand the windows.
D H said:
That's a great one DH! Too funny.
Last edited by a moderator:
- #6
voko
- 6,053
- 391
Nah, I think the priority on the Sun-powered heat ray rests firmly with Archimedes of Syracuse.
- #7
student34
- 639
- 21
D H said:Who had the bright idea (pun intended) to shape the side of a building like this?
If they would have just built it like it is shown in this picture with the windows vertical, there wouldn't be a problem; of course it wouldn't look as cool.
- #8
Borek
Mentor
- 29,203
- 4,625
Definitely plagiarism.
- #9
A.T.
Science Advisor
- 13,261
- 4,183
A melted Jaguar is a shame. But next thing could be a fuel truck, a corn transporter or an ice cream van.
- #10
Khashishi
Science Advisor
- 2,812
- 491
Crazymechanic said:
I'm pretty sure the Greeks call prior art on that one.
- #11
student34
- 639
- 21
A.T. said:
You're forgetting about the Gingers; they'll burn up like vampires.
- #12
AlephZero
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 6,999
- 299
The Brits have some form over this sort of mistake. The history faculty building at Cambridge univ. (built in the 1960s) was designed to make full use of natural north-facing light. Unfortunately, something got screwed up and they actually built it with the plan rotated through 180 degrees, so all that glass gets full sunshine all day!
There were endless problems with cracked glass panes, water leaks, etc - not to mention a steady stream of ambulances carrying away historians with heatstroke.
At least they found out about the "walkie talkie" while the builders were still there. Given the usual british climate, there might not have been any problems before the warranty had expired!
There were endless problems with cracked glass panes, water leaks, etc - not to mention a steady stream of ambulances carrying away historians with heatstroke.
At least they found out about the "walkie talkie" while the builders were still there. Given the usual british climate, there might not have been any problems before the warranty had expired!
- #13
Cthugha
Science Advisor
- 2,104
- 586
Crazymechanic said:
Have you never heard of the Las Vegas death ray hotel?
Same principle: Curved building, heated floor/pool/tourist, clueless architects.
- #14
lisab
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 2,050
- 612
Of all places on Earth to put an enormous concave lens, I would think London would be the safest. When did they start getting sunshine there?
- #15
SteamKing
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 12,828
- 1,673
Architects should always have adult supervision lest they commit malpractice.
- #16
- 15,524
- 769
After chasing this building down, I have a correction for you. You said clueless architects. You should have said clueless architect. Singular. The same person, Rafael Viñoly, designed both buildings.Cthugha said:
And now he's designing another, this time in Abu Dhabi.
- #17
nsaspook
Science Advisor
- 1,560
- 5,162
D H said:
The inventor of the "fry-scraper".
- #18
Cthugha
Science Advisor
- 2,104
- 586
D H said:
Wow. I am not sure whether I should be glad now that it is not a whole generation of architects building superlenses or whether I am amazed that he did not learn. At least Abu Dhabi is an ambitious project. There is so much sunlight that he might be able to create some real damage this time.
- #19
adjacent
Gold Member
- 1,552
- 62
nsaspook said:
- #20
milesyoung
- 818
- 67
D H said:
First time I've seen a Wikipedia biography page with a "Death Ray" entry :thumbs:
- #21
A.T.
Science Advisor
- 13,261
- 4,183
nsaspook said:
Seen here as a kid, playing with ants:
http://www.breakfront.com/Portals/38894/images/Boy%20Burning%20Ant.jpg
Last edited by a moderator:
Similar threads
- · Replies 11 ·
- · Replies 15 ·
Writing: Input Wanted
Evil Free Parker: Law & Social Order in a Satirical Sci-Fi Scenario
- · Replies 1 ·
- · Replies 195 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 6 ·