Suspended from the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles, Skyslide is a thrilling new slide construction made of glass with a thickness of only 38mm. The slide, which measures 14 meters in length and 1.2 meters in width, allows visitors to take in views of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Pacific Ocean and Dodger Stadium while plunging from the 70th floor of California’s tallest skyscraper.
Structural engineer Michael Ludvik of glassmakers Ludvik & Co. explains that the Skyslide is made of four large panes of triple laminated hurricane glass, rather than layers of glass bolted together. The large dimensions of the individual panes are possible due to the recent availability of oversized glass fabrication technologies.
Adding strength to this ultra thin glass, the panes of glass are connected together using ‘soft touch’ components, which swivel just enough that high stresses do not develop at connection points.
Skyslide will open as part of the Gensler-designed Skyspace L.A. installation, California’s tallest open air observation deck. This ride for thrill seekers will open in Los Angeles on June 25, 2016 so stay tuned!