This building’s brilliant look was inspired by butterfly wings

The rare blue morpho butterfly is among the largest butterflies in the world and one of the most spectacular with its brown wings that suddenly turn iridescent blue. This amazing display happens when blue light reflects off the layers of microscopic scales on its wings. 3M scientists studied the butterfly to mimic this effect in a window film.

Covered with 3M DICHROIC film, the windows at the Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park, Kansas, appear to turn different colors as lighting conditions change. The blue morpho butterfly lives for only 115 days, but you can enjoy its influence on architectural design for a long time to come.

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