MNN - Mother Nature Network

Located in San Francisco, the California Academy of Sciences received LEED Platinum certification and is now known as the greenest museum in the world.  This uniquely designed building has received international media recognition for its innovations including the implementation of a living roof.

“A new link in an ecological corridor for wildlife, the new Academy’s living roof is planted with nine native California species that will not require artificial irrigation. The planted area measures 2.5 acres; it is now the largest concentration of native vegetation in San Francisco.” Source:  California Academy of Sciences

The roof features more than 1.7 million plants and is equipped with multiple skylights that serve as both a natural lighting source but also allow hot air inside the building to escape.

 

Other design features that helped the museum achieve LEED Platinum certification include the use of a radiant floor heating system, a complex solar canopy that will provide up to 10% of the building’s energy on an annual basis, recycling more than 90% of the demolition waste and electric vehicle charging stations on site.

 

The California Academy of Sciences earned 54 points out of a total of 69 points available on the LEED Certification checklist.  A minimum of 52 points were needed to achieve LEED Platinum certification – the ultimate in green building recognition.