Glare from the Fairmont Hotel

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by Strannik33

Oh, this is no joke. Sunlight reflecting from buildings -- particularly those trendy reflective windows -- has been known to melt vinyl siding at the adjoining properties. And yes, of course you need good sunglasses.

I recall reading of a situation like that in London... or NYC.

40 years ago when the (present day) Chase Bank building in downtown Austin was clad in reflective gold colored glass, the glare caused so much of an uproar, that the windows eventually were replaced.

[Need4Camaro]

The environmental thing that gets me in downtown is how windy it gets between buildings. I mean, I know its a normal effect but I don't remember feeling it in other downtowns... ...well, except for Chicago.

It just kind of makes you wonder, how much abuse do those buildings take on a daily basis with all that wind pelting on them constantly.. ..and how long can they maintain their composure before they have to be completely torn down or overhauled.

[DMChicago]

The earth is in constant movement and tilting year round. It’s possible that there is only a few days a year the reflection is just right to cause the effect you experienced.

[austinnerd]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

I recall reading of a situation like that in London... or NYC.

40 years ago when the (present day) Chase Bank building in downtown Austin was clad in reflective gold colored glass, the glare caused so much of an uproar, that the windows eventually were replaced.

This London skyscraper can melt cars and set buildings on fire

[Trainwreck20]

There was one in Vegas that melted plastic and singed some persons hair.

Ah, here it is:
Pool-side 'death ray' singes Vegas hotel guest - CNN.com

[DashRiprock]

Originally Posted by DMChicago

The earth is in constant movement and tilting year round. It’s possible that there is only a few days a year the reflection is just right to cause the effect you experienced.

Very possible, and would possibly explain why I've never heard anything about this being a hazard. I might have just caught it at a particular time and angle.

[DashRiprock]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

The environmental thing that gets me in downtown is how windy it gets between buildings. I mean, I know its a normal effect but I don't remember feeling it in other downtowns... ...well, except for Chicago.

It just kind of makes you wonder, how much abuse do those buildings take on a daily basis with all that wind pelting on them constantly.. ..and how long can they maintain their composure before they have to be completely torn down or overhauled.

I'm not an engineer, so I can't speak to any of that but I have wondered about it myself. I've been in some tall-ish buildings in various places and felt the sway. It's weird.

True story - was working at night in a downtown Austin office building and felt the building move. It wasn't a tall building, maybe 4 or 5 stories, but I felt it move. I looked up and asked co-workers if they felt that and they all looked at me like I was nuts. Later that night I saw a report that there had been an earthquake in Mexico that was felt as far away as Austin.

[cheeva]

Originally Posted by DashRiprock

Very possible, and would possibly explain why I've never heard anything about this being a hazard. I might have just caught it at a particular time and angle.

Probably, being that we're near the winter solstice. Plays mind games with people, especially in Austin. The town is not really oriented North/South like people think it is. It's oriented Northeast/Southwest.

If you traveling into "south Austin" on Mopac in December or January, you are actually driving Southwest, straight into the setting sun.

by longitude; Dove Springs is directly south of Downtown, and Jollyville is directly north of Downtown. People refer to these areas as "southeast Austin" and "Northwest" Austin though.

Look at a map of Austin (ignore the roads), and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[ScoPro]

Yeah, a lot of folks think I-35 runs straight north & south, when it is really NE to the SW.