Bird Friendly Glass Will Soon Be Required for Proposed New Buildings and Significantly Altered Existing Buildings
Legislation designed to protect migratory birds from injuries or fatalities caused by building collisions, will require certified glass for facades, designed for this purpose.
In one case study, the Jacob Javits Center, whose glass façade was infamous for causing such accidents, underwent glass façade replacement in 2013, which resulted in a reduction in incidents by 90%, using glass whose surface is more easily detectable by birds, and also has higher energy efficiency properties.
The new legislation will pertain to 90% or more of a building’s envelope up to 75’ in height. The details are expected to be published by the NYC Department of Buildings by October of 29020.
Dotted patterns on transparent surfaces, tinted or glazed windows, sheer barriers on façades to cushion collisions, and limited interior lighting (to minimize nocturnal attraction) are some proposed features.
A 2014 study published by the American Ornithological Society estimated that between 100 million and 1 billion migratory birds are killed in deadly collisions with US buildings each year. NYC ranks 8th amongst cities in the US for bird fatalities. The top 7 cities (Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles, notably) currently have no legislation of this sort. San Francisco and Oakland, CA have protective measures in place. This NYC action will be the most protective in the US.
See City Council Link: https://council.nyc.gov/press/2019/12/10/1847/