June 10, 2008
by: Jessica Sheridan Assoc. AIA LEED AP

After Alain Robert scaled the New York Times Building to protest global warming (followed by Renaldo Clarke’s climb to raise awareness about malaria) on June 6, I read all of the reports about how management was beefing up security to prevent future incidents. While I believe precautions are needed to prevent anyone off the street from climbing, I think there is an opportunity for designers to consider how building façades might take on new life — to support the climbing community.

“Buildering” is not new. Documentation exists as early as the 1890s, according to Wikipedia. Other forms of structure scaling include a martial arts-inspired Parkour, BASE jumping, and even Craning. Robert is a celebrity in this world (his website claims he has climbed more than 70 buildings worldwide), and even though he is frequently arrested for his feats, he is sometimes paid to climb for celebratory events. Professional rock climbers ascend mountains much higher than most buildings, so why has buildering never been accepted as a professional practice?

In 2007, Dan Goodwin (a.k.a. Spider Dan), who climbed the Sears Tower in 1981, proposed the Skyscraper Defense Act calling for a new department within Homeland Security called the Skyscraper Defense Department. Goodwin intends to modify high-rise rescue procedures, appealing to cities to create a master plan for every skyscraper outlining roof rescue protocols, and to assemble a team of professionals who can rescue occupants trapped inside a building from the exterior. Exterior egress stations should be provided on each floor; refuge areas should be strategically placed throughout the skyscraper; and green, non-toxic materials should be used in construction to pose no short- or long-term ill effects to climbers.

If passed, Goodwin’s proposal would change skyscraper construction significantly.In addition to rescue procedures, the changes could also encourage a new, legal profession of “urban climbing,” establishing a more modern definition of building inhabitation.

To see up-close photographs of Alain Robert on the New York Times Building, check out The Center, AIANY blog.

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