Committee on Design

I would love to hear some theories/feedback on this short video clip I found on msn.com. It states that a London building reflected heat so intense that it warped a man's luxury car. I agree the sun, and reflections, can be very powerful, but there seems to be something missing from this story.  

http://news.msn.com/videos/?ap=True&videoid=cca7a765-1b02-0b31-a1ca-af95d7cc6c2b&from=en-us_msnhp

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Brenda Nelson Assoc. AIA
Woodruff Design, LLC
Ankeny IA
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http://www.designboom.com/readers/rafael-vinolys-walkie-talkie-skyscraper-oops-or-opportunity/

http://www.businessinsider.com/architect-behind-the-walkie-talkie-building-2013-9

I can not believe an architectural firm of this caliber did not do analysis on this building especially in light of similar problems on another project in Las Vegas. Did we not learn in architectural school that concave mirrors create concentrated heat. Its architects like this that bring reproach on our profession.
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Sally Anne Smith AIA
Smith Architectural Studio
Carmel CA
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Global horizontal solar radiation (from a combo of the sun and the sky) on a clear summer day can be around 1000 watts per square meter.  No need to remember the value, we all know what that feels like.  The direct solar radiation component of that (from the sun) on a clear day is the majority of that, let's say 1000 watts per square meter.  (The formula is GHI = DHI + DNI * cos (Z))

Glass on a reflective glazed building reflects 30%, 40%, 50% or more of the solar energy.  So if only 1 window is reflecting the sun to your location on the ground, the total solar radiation you are feeling is 30-50% more than just standing in a sunny open area, which is pretty warm already.  If multiple windows are reflecting the sun to you, it can get really uncomfortable really fast. 

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R David Scheer AIA
Autodesk, Inc.
San Francisco CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2013 11:24
From: Sally Anne Smith
Subject: A building that can melt a car?

http://www.designboom.com/readers/rafael-vinolys-walkie-talkie-skyscraper-oops-or-opportunity/

http://www.businessinsider.com/architect-behind-the-walkie-talkie-building-2013-9

I can not believe an architectural firm of this caliber did not do analysis on this building especially in light of similar problems on another project in Las Vegas. Did we not learn in architectural school that concave mirrors create concentrated heat. Its architects like this that bring reproach on our profession.
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Sally Anne Smith AIA
Smith Architectural Studio
Carmel CA
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it is called solar parabolic effect. http://www.dvice.com/sites/dvice/files/styles/media_gallery_image/public/images/buildings-and-gravity-07.jpg?itok=8-e0cr3v will show you an example of how scientists test and measure the temperature. i have seen in downtown everywhere that the reflective glass makes street hotter even it is flat plane. why? the sun heats the ground and the reflection of heat compound the normal solar exposure.

they should educate at all schools about energy impact including wintertime. too many schools would spend 5 years teaching doos zout pragmatism. that is the beef.

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Michael Gallagher
Principal
Gardenia Victoria, LLC
Baltimore MD
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Jag-wire?
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Charles Graham AIA
Architect
O'Neal, Inc.
Greenville SC
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Thanks everyone. What I thought was strange in the really short clip was that only a small piece of the car looked damaged, as if just that part was defective in the first place. Some of you replied directly to me with more information on this particular building, items that were left out of the msn video. I know there are issues with buildings "blinding" drivers because of their reflectivity and we all know they can give off heat, but I was skeptical that one could actually melt a car. This is probably because of the way that it was presented in that really short clip, as if it were entertainment television rather than a scientific fact.

I appreciate the building technology lesson from everyone!

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Brenda Nelson Assoc. AIA
Woodruff Design, LLC
Ankeny IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2013 22:04
From: Charles Graham
Subject: A building that can melt a car?


Jag-wire?
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Charles Graham AIA
Architect
O'Neal, Inc.
Greenville SC
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-hV_AawLSE
Look up 'Vdara Death Ray' on Google.
It's truer than you would imagine.  Simple geometry, concave reflective facade facing south.

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R David Scheer AIA
Autodesk, Inc.
San Francisco CA
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If the car just happened to be in the focal point of of the parabola created by the building's curvature, I'd give this a solid maybe.  However, the fact that the developer paid for the damage indicates that a) it was indeed their responsibility and the focused sunlight brought the metal shell to somewhere in the neighborhood of 1200 deg F (a few hundred degrees less if the part was already under tension), or b) a $500 aluminium part was cheaper than fighting a lawsuit.

While there's a world of difference between concentrating lenses and parabolic reflectors, it's still fun to know that a 900 sq. in. fresnel lens can generate 2000 deg F from the sun at its focal point.  Don't try this at home.

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Paul O'Brien Assoc. AIA
Director of Operations
Integration Design Group, PC
Thornton CO
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