The Walkie Talkie building in London, known for its unique concave design and mirrored glass, has been causing a stir in the city. The building’s reflective surface has been focusing intense sunlight onto the street below, causing cars to melt and shops to suffer damage. According to reports, several motorists have fallen victim to the building’s intense rays, including Martin Lindsay whose black Jaguar XJ suffered buckled panels and a smell of burning plastic. The damage was so severe that the owner was left “gutted” and demanding action from the authorities.
But it’s not just cars that have been affected. Nearby shops have also been damaged by the intense sun rays. A barber’s shop in the area reported a small fire breaking out due to the concentrated sunlight, causing damage to their doormat and scorching a lemon.
The incident has highlighted the importance of taking measures to mitigate the effects of the building’s reflective surface. In response, the joint developers - Land Securities and Canary Wharf, have installed a temporary screen and then a permanent sunshade, known as a “brise soleil”. The move is expected to reduce the impact of the building’s reflective surface on the surrounding area. Causing damage to multiple things around by the building’s intense sunlight, with a total cost of repairs estimated to be in the tens of thousands of pounds. The developers have also reportedly paid out £1,000 in compensation to those affected by the incident.
While the issue has caused disruption to local residents and businesses, it is hoped that the installation of the sunshade will bring an end to the problem. The building’s unique design is sure to remain a popular tourist attraction.
Source // dailymail.co.uk // nbcnews.com
