Melted Cars, Ruined Art, and Other Troubles With Solar Convergence

A building in London wasn’t even finished when it started melting cars around it. The culprit was solar convergence, which happens when too many glass windows reflect solar heat onto the same spot. Fix the spot? That’s not feasible, since the angle of the sun changes both daily and yearly. Fix the building? That’s an expensive proposition.

Surely the building's designer was mortified by the results of his creation, right? Well, no. When architect Rafael Viñoly was questioned about his flawed design, he heartily deflected, blaming consultants, global warming, cost-cutting developers, and the sun's elevation. This was an especially galling disavowal of responsibility because the science of solar reflectivity analysis has been gaining traction for several years. There are many tools, firms, and even apps available to architects and developers to help avoid just this problem. Especially damning for Viñoly is that the "death ray" issue was not actually unprecedented. And the last time a high-profile building had had problems of this nature, it was also one he'd designed.

Solar convergence from modern architecture is not a new problem. The phenomenon is so well-known that there’s even a generator on the French-Spanish border that harnesses its power. Read about how solar convergence problems happen again and again at Atlas Obscura.  

(Image credit: Flickr user Luc Mercelis)


Newest 1
Newest 1 Comment

In the '70s, I read a science fiction detective story in which a building was designed with computer-controlled reflective windows, which were supposed to reduce the need for air conditioning and save energy. The building's computer was programmed to change the position of each window to maximize energy saving. Unfortunately, the designer also had a grudge against a rival who worked across the street, and so wrote a subroutine that was set to focus a deadly heat ray at his office window on a particular date and time.
It was, I think, published in "Analog" magazine, but I cannot remember any other particulars.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Email This Post to a Friend
"Melted Cars, Ruined Art, and Other Troubles With Solar Convergence"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More