Last fall I was fortunate enough to visit the newly opened California Academy of Sciences. My old firm Chong Partners Architects, was the Architect of Record for Design Architect Renzo Piano. Although the design had changed significantly from the original unveiling I had seen 9 years ago in my office, the design intent remains intact.
View of the Academy from the DeYoung
Greensource featured a case study on the building today, siting it’s innovative green roof—designed to reduce stormwater runoff, provide insulation, and create habitat for birds and insects—is the most conspicuous manifestation of the academy’s mission “to explore, explain, and protect the natural world.”
Our favorite feature was the indoor rain forest, which is kept appropriately warm and humid. Light necessary for the tropical plants to grow is provided through the circular skylights and by supplemental electrical lighting. Misting ensures that temperatures do not rise above the design criteria of 79 to 84 degrees with 50 to 70 percent humidity, and a stream of high-velocity air prevents condensation from forming on the inner pane of its terrarium-like enclosure.
The aquarium occupies the level below, with large open tanks extending up to the main floor and defining the edges of the piazza.
Read more on the LEED Platinum building at Greensource.com.
Featured in The Wall Street Journal and on HGTV.com, Kati Curtis's eco-friendly firm Nirmada brings a sustainable, modern approach to design. Kati is one of the few LEED AP ID&C residential designers in Manhattan and is the owner and principal of
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