Modern materials and building techniques have allowed us to erect tall skyscrapers that serve many people concentrated in cities. Architects come up with beautiful additions to a skyline in order to compete to have their designs built. But these innovative designs sometimes come with unforeseen consequences. Who knew architecture could be so dangerous?
In February of 1988, Chicago’s Sears Tower began shedding sheets of glass as wind speeds reached up to 70 miles per hour. For hours, some falling windows shattered other windows on their way down while others soared as far as a block away before crashing to the ground. This was not the first nor last time the building lost windows to wind.
Tall buildings are typically designed with wind loads in mind, making this structure’s woes rare and exceptional (even in the Windy City). But not all designs manage to factor the impact of winds on surrounding spaces, which can prove dangerous (even deadly) to pedestrians.
Falling objects aren't the only dangers of walking near tall buildings. Read about cases where pedestrians were blown down by diverted winds or even burned by buildings at 99% Invisible. -via Digg