CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

The California Academy of Sciences consists of 409,178 square feet of research, exhibition, educational and office space designed by Pritzker Prize winner Renzo Piano. This world-renowned natural history museum houses the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, millions of scientific specimens and thousands of live animals. It consists of: a 5-story structural concrete research/collections/administration building with floor-to-ceiling glass walls; 3-story structural steel/concrete African Hall exhibit; 3-story structural concrete retail/restaurant/auditorium space; glass enclosed rainforest dome; planetarium dome; 53,000 sf radiant floor exhibition hall; split-level basement housing aquarium life support systems; and a concrete topped structural steel frame topographical garden roof.

Webcor is using its concrete expertise to create many one-of-a-kind structures including six aquariums that required complex compound curves, waterproof concrete and massive custom acrylic windows. When award winning architect Renzo Piano first viewed the architectural concrete product produced by our own on-site crews, he eliminated the originally planned stone clad exterior for the high quality, superior aesthetic effects of Webcor’s architectural concrete.

The new Academy has received a rare LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and is now recognized as the largest public Platinum-rated building in the world and the world’s most sustainable museum building.

One of the many unique sustainable aspects of this project is the living roof system which covers approximately 80% of the roof surface with a variety of native plants. This system will significantly reduce the heat island effect, as well as storm water runoff.

Additional sustainable features include:
  • Energy efficiency - 5% of the buildings total energy use will be supplied through the photovoltaic cells installed in the perimeter canopy system of the roof.
  • Daylight - 90% of all spaces occupied for critical visual tasks (Research, Collection and Administration) will be provided with a minimum daylight and view factor of 2%.
  • Innovation - exhibits to promote sustainability will be showcased within the museum, including displays of the building itself as an example of sustainable practices. Modern programs for alternative transportation will also be incorporated for employees and visitors.
  • Water efficiency - the use of high-efficiency irrigation technology such as micro-irrigation systems, moisture sensors, and weather database controllers will be incorporated to reduce water usage.
  • Indoor Air Quality - a permanent entryway system will be installed to capture dirt, particulate matter, and other pollutants from entering the building at all high volume entryways.
  • Reduce heat island effect - in addition to the living roof system, a minimum of 30% of non-roof impervious surfaces (including parking lots, walkways, and plazas) will be under shade.
Due to the challenging design of the 2.5-acre green roof, as well as the numerous and unique MEP and fish life support systems, Webcor is used the latest in Building Information Modeling to successfully coordinate the many complex elements.

The project has been further distinguished by winning a 2007 Design Special Commendation from the AIA SF Chapter for the use of Integrated Practice techniques to improve the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life-support systems coordination during construction.


Other Awards & Recognition:

- 2007 American Concrete Institute Award- Green/Environmental category.

- AIA San Francisco 2009 Design Awards-Excellence in Architecture - Merit Award































Owner: California Academy of Sciences
Owner's Representative: D.R. Young Associates
Architect: Renzo Piano Building Workshop/Chong Partners
Engineer: Ove Arup


World Renowned Museum Scientific, Educational and Research Facility:
Natural History Museum
The Steinhardt Aquarium
The Morrison Planetarium
Research collections and administrative space
409,178 sf
received LEED NC Platinum certification



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