Reflective Skyscraper in London creates hazard

Walkie-Talkie Skyscraper 20 Fenchurch St, London. Curved, reflective siding creates magnified solar reflections which cause burning.

In an article published by the BBC Who, what why: How does a skyscraper melt a car? on September 3rd, 2013 a rising issue is addressed with urban development.

A new skyscraper under construction in London has been creating quite a stir as it's reflective siding has been "scorching locals" and melting car parts. The reflection of the sun off the mirrored sides has created a magnified reflection of the incoming solar energy. A citizen, Martin Lindsay, parked his Jaguar on the city streets and returned 2 hours later to find that parts of his car had melted. Much like a magnifying glass used to burn grass by children, the skyscrapers design and siding have created an uncommon concern among locals.

In another article by the BBC, Walkie-Talkie Skyscraper: Screens up after car melted September 4th, 2013, the matter is addressed by developers and more concerns were raised. One local retailer describes how the building has burned holes in his carpets. This is not a singluar issue, the article states that the Vdara Hotel in Las Vegas was dubbed the "Death Ray Hotel" in 2010 after guests complained about being burned by the sunlight reflected off the hotel. The developers of the London skyscraper, Land Securities, claims they will address the issue by coating the windows with "a chemical glaze" and also by erecting a mesh over Eastcheap street, where the burning had occured.

This issue is a recent development with the construction of high level buildings that incorporate a unique design and a reflective siding. Normally during certain seasons this will not be an issue as the sun will not be at a peak height to cause issues of reflections. During the late summer however, the sun is at a peak that can cause the highest amount of solar insolation. Insolation is defined as the amount of electromagnetic energy or solar radiation on the surface of the earth, or basically, how much sunlight is shining down on us. (apricus.com). The earth is typically hottest when it is farthest from the sun. Therefore this has an impact on humans because we are constantly developing and desire to build more structures, as we build we will have consider the complex interrelationships that our environment and structures create.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23930675
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23957986
Image link: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/69626000/jpg/_69626637_69626636.jpg

More info about solar insolation:
http://www.apricus.com/html/solar_collector_insolation.htm