The windows on one of Lab’s buildings just got safer for birds. Over the summer, a film was applied to some of the windows in Gordon Parks Arts Hall to prevent bird strikes. 

This film allows the glass to remain transparent, except for white dots spaced every three inches across the glass. Because birds see the reflection off the window, the white dots stand out against the green-and-brown environment, appearing more clearly to the birds.

Joe Wachowski, director of operations, has wanted to make it happen for years. He said that in 2022, he became aware of the film and was interested in applying it, but his project was not funded.

“Toward the end of 2022, the university said there was going to be a budget deficit, and all units were impacted by that, including the Laboratory Schools. So, of course, the film wasn’t a necessity, so it got scrapped,” Mr. Wachowski said.

However, in 2024, McCormick Place installed similar film throughout its building. Through this project, they were able to stop 95% of birds from flying into the windows. 

This inspired Mr. Wachowski to implement the same design at Lab.

By working with the planning department at the University of Chicago, which provided funding, Mr. Wachowski was able to install film where Lab needed it most: Gordon Parks Arts Hall.

“We get most of our bird strikes at Gordon Parks Arts Hall,” Mr. Wachowski said. “Most of them seem to hit those pass-throughs on the second floor, so that’s where we decided to put the bird film.”

Mr. Wachowski hopes that eventually they’ll be able to expand these bird films to other buildings on Lab’s campus, including Earl Shapiro Hall.

He believes preventing birds from flying into windows will not only have a positive effect on the birds, but on the people as well.

“There’s a psychological aspect too,” Mr. Wachowski said, “Not so much for middle or high school kids, but when it happens at Earl Shapiro Hall, it really impacts little kids.”