Taking the shine off Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA

OverThere: A leading light of contemporary architecture in Los Angeles it may be, but some of the locals haven't really taken…

OverThere: A leading light of contemporary architecture in Los Angeles it may be, but some of the locals haven't really taken a shine to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

In fact, residents of a neighbouring condominium complex would rather take some its shine away - literally.

The problem is with the building's shimmering stainless steel panels. These are reflecting so much light and heat that a neighbouring condominium's air conditioning system is being overwhelmed trying to cope with the effects from the city's great shiner.

The building, which was designed by architect Frank Gehry to reflect light, is now undergoing a $90,000 (€70,000) makeover that aims to reduce the amount of heat and light it reflects across to its neighbours. This work involves sanding down the building's stainless steel panels by workmen sometimes suspended from ropes.

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It just goes to show, perhaps, that all that glistens isn't gold.