The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is one of the few Natural Science Institutes where the public experience is directly related to in house scientific research, done in the same building, since its foundation. The primary goal of building a new Academy was to provide a safe, modern facility for Exhibition, Education, Conservation and Research under one roof. The mission statement of the Academy, “To Explore, Explain and Protect the Natural World”, made this project ideal to incorporate sustainable design strategies. Not only energy efficient heating and cooling, but also a more holistic approach was agreed to, involving a serious effort in the choice of materials, recycling of the materials of the old Academy and the way in which they are put together.

The location of spaces in relation to daylight and ventilation, the efficient use of water and the run-off from the roof, as well as the generation of energy are integral to the building design. Sustainability is also part of the exhibition design, the exhibition philosophy, and its day-to-day operation. As a functioning demonstration the public will be able to see and understand many of the principles of sustainable design.

The new building retains the former location and orientation, and like the original Academy, all functions are organized around central Piazza, or courtyard. Three historic elements of the previous Academy have been maintained in some fashion, as a memory and a link to the past: African Hall, North American (California) Hall and the entrance to the Steinhart Aquarium.Two spherical exhibits, the Planetarium Dome and the Rainforest Biosphere, are located adjacent to the Piazza. Together with the reconstructed entrance of the Steinhart Aquarium, these elements represent the Academy: Space, Earth and Ocean. These 3 icons ‘push’ the roof up, and thus create the undulating roofscape.

This roof, floating at the same height as the roof of the original halls, formally unifies the institute. It is landscaped with native plant species which are drought resistant and do not require irrigation once established. The green roof extends beyond the perimeter walls and becomes a glass canopy providing shade, protection from the rain and generates energy through more than 55,000 photo voltaic cells in the glass.

In the center of the Living Roof a glazed skylight covers a piazza. Much smaller skylights distributed over the surface of the roof, allow natural light into the exhibit space and can be automatically be opened for the natural ventilation of the space below. The Research activities and the storage of scientific specimens (a collection of 18 million specimen in jars and special containers) will be concentrated on the 5 floors facing south to the park.  Additionally the exhibit halls and the public entrance, will be oriented to the other wind directions on the ground level. In the basement, below this floor, a large aquarium has been located together with back for house functions of the museum and the life support system for the tanks.

CREDITS

Client: California Academy of Sciences

Renzo Piano Building Workshop, architects in collaboration with Stantec Architecture (San Francisco)

Design team: M.Carroll, O.de Nooyer (senior partner and partner in charge) with S.Ishida (senior partner), B.Terpeluk,  J.McNeal, A.De Flora, F.Elmalipinar, A.Guernier, D.Hart, T.Kjaer, J.Lee, A.Meine-Jansen, A.Ng, D.Piano, W.Piotraschke,  J.Sylvester; and C.Bruce, L.Burow, C.Cooper, A.Knapp, Y.Pages, Z.Rockett, V.Tolu, A.Walsh; I.Corte, S.D’Atri, G.Langasco, M.Ottonello (CAD Operators); F.Cappellini, S.Rossi, A.Malgeri, A.Marazzi (models)

Consultants: Ove Arup & Partners (engineering and sustainability); Rutherford & Chekene (civil engineering); SWA Group (landscaping); Rana Creek (living roof); PBS&J (aquarium life support systems); Thinc Design, Cinnabar, Visual-Acuity  (exhibits)

General contractor: Webcor Builders