The Story of Scott
Last semester, while the rest of you were off in Europe drinking wine or doing that thing in Charleston, I remained here in Clemson, because fun is scary. One day in mid September, as I was working outside in the space between Lee II and III, applying a wood stain to a table I had made (cause that's totally a thing I do), I was distracted from my malodorous labor by distinct "thunk" behind me. Upon investigation, I discovered a small bird (no idea what species), lying prone at the base of the glazing. I initially assumed it to be dead after striking the glass, but some slight twitching would prove the feathered puff-ball to be alive. Of course, I did what anyone would do when presented with a small creature in distress, I picked it up and gave it a name, Scott the Sterling. (A: at the time I thought sterlings were a type of bird, they are not) (B: if you do not understand the reference, please google "Scott Sterling", you are welcome) (C: yes, I did assume the bird's gender, sue me.)
I carried Scott over to the edge of the woods next to Lee where he'd be out of the sun and out of the way. After a few minutes he began moving about, testing his wings, and flew away.
Every year, countless millions of birds like Scott die when striking the glazed facades of buildings, believing them to be open sky.
Scott the Sterling
(artistically enhanced)
Poor Scott Sterling, although I am happy there was a happy ending. For most birds at Lee I and Lee III unfortunately it is not a happy ending. There are many solutions to this problem if architects take the time to seek a solution. This perfectly illustrates the political issues that clash in the building envelope between the human and non-human as described in Alejandro Zaera Polo's "The Politics of the Envelope."
ReplyDeleteI once tried to help a bird, but it died.
ReplyDeleteThis story had me hooked from beginning to end. I'm so glad Scott the Sterling survived and had a happy ending. My family's house has big glass windows too, so we've had a lot of "thunks", and we put little leaf-shaped things in our windows that the birds can see but are invisible to us to prevent them from hitting the windows and dying.
ReplyDeleteIN THE FACE!
ReplyDelete10/10 would read again
ReplyDeleteThis definitely makes me question the materials of facade design. Every material will have an effect on the environment. It might be bad for birds, or be too reflective, or conduct to much heat, or not allow any privacy. There are a number of factors that could change the design.
ReplyDelete