Over the holidays I had the privilege to go to the newly opened California Academy of Sciences in San Fransisco. I grew up exploring the old facility many times as my Grandmother worked at the old academy until she retired.

This state of the art facility boasts some very intriguing exhibits about a wide variety of subjects. The whole facility was designed to be as sustainable as possible. The building is an amazing feat of sustainable engineering. This $500 million dollar building achieved platinum LEED certification (the highest possible level). It is insulated with 68% recycled bluejeans and a green roof. Its green roof is a collection of native plants selected to survive the seasonal changes specific to coastal California. It also provides water retention, heat regulation, and converts carbon dioxide to oxygen.

From a distance it is hard to distinguish where the park ends and the Academy of Sciences starts. Only the solar panels around the edge of the building and the vent windows in the tops of the hills give away the fact that this museum is across from the De Young museum (a fine arts museum).

Upon entering the building visitors are forced to pass over 3 different aquariums. There is something amazing about looking down and seeing fish below your feet. The whole building is supposed top teach. Some of the exhibits are hands on, intended for young people, but they delight people of all ages. There is an emphasis on the climate and our impact on ecology, but it also touches on options available to minimize our impact.

Upon leaving I was saddened by the fact that more buildings do not evoke such ideas of sustainability. We need to erect more beacons of change so we can turn the tide and start minimizing our impact on the world.

Last update: April 30, 2009
03:49 pm

Published in : Research, Reviews

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