San Francisco Museum Living Roof

A living roof will slope over interior exhibitions and read as hills against the natural landscape.

San francisco museum living roof.

Living roof the academy s iconic living roof is more than a beautiful architectural feature. That sketch launched plans for what may be the most complicated living roof ever built. Its 2 5 acre undulating greenroof sits 35 feet in the air planted with a variety of over 50 native wildflowers and other species. In size and design the academy roof is unprecedented marked by seven domes and steep hillocks envisioned by celebrity lead architect renzo piano as a nod to san francisco s undulating topography.

Our living roof is a marvel of engineering and a testament to the academy s commitment to sustainability. The new building will be an organic extension of the academy s commitment to understand and. Living roof california academy of sciences museum san francisco california contributor names highsmith carol m 1946 photographer created published 2009 april 30. One of san francisco s most exciting green projects is the construction.

The living roof planted with nine local species the 2 5 acre roof is the largest swath of native vegetation in san francisco. 1 5 california academy of sciences green roof san francisco green roof san francisco green building sustainable museum. Learn more about the 2 5 acre oasis atop the museum. Curved steel beams were installed to create a rolling hillside effect like the hills of san francisco.

Rolling hills and 1 7 million plants create an oasis for native species atop the academy s 2 5 acre living roof. Tim griffith california academy of sciences. It s critical to the building s heating and cooling efficiency. The six inches of soil substrate on the roof acts as natural insulation and prevents stormwater runoff from carrying pollutants into the ecosystem.