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Birds and Glass Buildings
Published: March 7, 2005

To the Editor:

Re "A Cube in the Land of the Wheel: Redefining Public Space at the G.M. Building" (news article, March 2 [for the NYT]):

Although the redesign of the General Motors Building on Fifth Avenue seems attractive, it will likely be hazardous to birds, which cannot recognize glass as a solid surface.

Since 1997, New York City Audubon's Project Safe Flight has found more than 4,000 birds that have been killed or injured by flying into glass. The toll includes more than 100 species, 42 percent of which are in decline.

New York City Audubon is raising awareness in the architecture and design community.

We seek opportunities to work with the glass industry to develop a glass that is transparent to humans but visible to birds.

On March 11, architects and conservationists will focus on bird-friendly design at a conference in Chicago.

E. J. McAdams
Executive Director
New York City Audubon
New York, March 2, 2005

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