Green Travel: Newer, Earthier California Academy of Sciences

June 26, 2008 at 2:00 PM | by DanielR | 0 Comments

There's a new green-gunslinger in San Francisco, and it's traveled from its former Howard Street location to lush Golden Gate Park. The new California Academy of Sciences center--which opens in late September 2008--is aiming not only to stand out as an architectural icon in the city but also to operate as a Platinum LEED certified green space.

What's keeping this building greener than Kermit wrapped in a banana leaf? The main component is the "living roof" which consists of an undulating hill-like design that's lined with seven inches of soil and planted with grasses and local flora to prevent millions of gallons of rainwater from becoming storm drain water.

The roof design will also insulate the building and solar panels attached to the top will generate much of the energy needed to operate the Academy.

In addition to the groovy roof, the museum is built with radiant heat in the floors and special glass on all windows so that 90 percent of all light will come from the sun. And 95 percent of all steel used in the building is recycled. You're getting the point by now, right?

The museum and research space is the only place in the world with an aquarium, a planetarium and a natural history museum all under one roof. It will also boast a living, 4-story-tall rain forest and 410,000 square feet of research space.

Related Stories:
· California Academy of Sciences [Official Site]
· Green Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: The Kozy Shack]

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