The owners of London’s 500ft Walkie Talkie skyscraper have submitted a plan for the installation of sun-shading kit, to prevent reflected sun rays melting cars and affecting nearby businesses.
Land Securities Group and Canary Wharf Group submitted a planning application to the City of London that proposed the installation of shades called ‘brise soleil’ between 3rd and 34th floors, to avoid a recurrance of the ‘death-ray’ incidents.
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According to the developers, it would take six months to install the shades, which would be completed before the summer.
Reports have revealed that the solar glare shimmering from the 37-storey building at 20 Fenchurch Street had started fires and scorched the paintwork of cars parked on the pavement below. It also created a heat bubble that could be felt by people on the street, below..
Last summer, a scaffolding structure was mounted over the pavement as short-term protective shade, to intercept the magnifying effect of the curved glass, which slants toward the street.
The £200m skyscraper was designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Vinoly. It’s unique shape is due to the top floors being larger than the lower ones, creating more rentable space away from the ground.
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By GlobalDataImage: Proposed shades called ‘brise soleil’ may shield the streets from the reflected sun rays of the Walkie Talkie building. Photo: courtesy of Tbmurray.
