On October 24, Apple opened the new Apple Store in Chicago, a new Apple Store that wants to become one of the iconic Apple Stores that the company has throughout the world. Again the design was carried out by Norman Foster's architecture studio, like Apple Park and most of the latest Apple Stores that Apple has opened throughout the world.
As we can read in the Chicago Tribune, Apple is having a serious problem with the birds in the area, since they are continually crashing against the huge glass panes located in the area that overlooks the Michigan River. Apple is working to find a solution to the problem, a solution that currently involves reducing the intensity of the lights when the store is closed
Norman Foster's architecture studio assures that took into account the possibility that something similar could happen, but it seems that they finally did not take any action in case it finally happened. This problem is common in buildings where glass is an important part of it. To prevent the birds from trying to enter and end up committing suicide against the glass, an ultrasound system is installed that keeps them away at all times.
For now Apple will choose to reduce the intensity of the lights when the Apple Store is closed, at least until the end of the migratory activity. Subsequently, they do not rule out taking other measures if the problem remains unresolved. The Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, who has sounded the alarm, is a fully voluntary conservation project dedicated to protecting migratory birds through rescue, advocacy and outreach. The project collaborates with the construction management, architects, designers and the public in preventing bird collisions.