Two firms guilty over man killed by falling window pane

St James Group took up the role of “principal designer” in 2015, which meant it had a “duty to co-ordinate matters in relation to health and safety”, the court heard.

Foster + Partners, which is behind some of the world’s most iconic buildings, was responsible for the initial designs of the Corniche.

It argued its role did not extend to the technical aspects of the design once the building was in development.

Jurors were told the final design of the window of the Corniche was not safe, because it opened outwards and was held in place by a single metal “restrictor”, and so could be prised off by the wind.

The prosecution said the developers failed to use the first falling window as a reason to “go back to the drawing board”.

Menzies said construction workers were told “not to open the windows at all”, and small written warnings were put up next to the windows for residents.

“Effectively, the designers were hoping the residents would not forget to close their windows,” he said.

It was not until after Ferris’s death that the design was revisited, the court heard.