Tuesday, August 25, 2026 3 PM ET
Join us for a strategic virtual Continuing Education session presented in partnership with AIA Las Vegas.
When a curved glass tower in Las Vegas gained notoriety as the “Death Ray” for generating temperatures capable of melting pool umbrellas, it provided the local industry with a quantifiable, high-profile case study on the severe consequences of unmitigated solar reflection. Concave façades can focus reflected sunlight mathematically similarly to a magnifying glass, and even flat, uncoated glazing reflects a baseline percentage of solar radiation. This session systematically breaks down the physics behind reflected solar energy, analyzing how sun angles, building orientation, material variables, and glazing performance metrics intersect to determine the trajectory and intensity of reflected heat and light.
Attendees will leave with practical, data-driven design considerations for site planning, material selection, and glazing specification. This proactive approach empowers our design community to mitigate solar reflectivity risks long before construction begins, ensuring that projects elevate rather than negatively impact their surrounding public spaces.