The Citicorp Center in New York faced a critical structural flaw that gave it a 67% chance of collapsing during a strong windstorm. The issue stemmed from a design change made during construction, which weakened the building’s ability to withstand diagonal winds. Engineer William LeMessurier discovered the flaw after a student’s question prompted him to reevaluate his calculations. Realizing the danger, he worked urgently with his team to devise a solution.
To avoid public alarm, repairs were carried out discreetly at night using steel plates welded onto the building’s joints. The work was completed without disruption to the building’s operations or public knowledge. This swift and secretive intervention prevented a potential disaster and highlighted the importance of rigorous engineering oversight and ethical responsibility in architecture.