The reflective glass facade of Nanyang Technological University's award-winning School of Art, Design and Media building in Singapore has become a deadly trap for migratory birds, sparking a student-led conservation effort. For nearly 20 years, the building's distinctive green, sloping roofs have been admired, but its reflective facade has also proven deadly to birds that mistake it for the sky. During peak migration seasons, birds collide with the building almost daily, with Project Avigate recording 122 collisions involving 22 bird species over three migratory seasons. The students are working with university officials to install decals that make high-risk windows more visible to birds, while NTU has pledged to cover 70% of the total cost. This initiative will serve as a pilot for future bird-safe building designs, reflecting the university's commitment to sustainability and wildlife protection.
