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In an age where all large-scale architectural endeavours are made possible only by collaboration between the design team and consultants, SWA Group works closely with the architects to develop landscape concepts that are a seamless extension of the overall scheme.

SWA’s belief that the landscape should be viewed as an indispensable part of the architecture, and not as a separate entity, is nowhere more obvious than at the California Academy of Sciences, designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. It is perhaps fitting that a building that houses one of the world’s leading green roof research facilities is itself the biggest endorsement for it – the 2.5 acre roof is living and green. The result is the world’s largest public building with a LEED platinum rating, the highest rating one can achieve within the system, which at times is controversial in its methods of awarding ratings, but is still the current industry standard on how ‘green’ a building is.

Renzo Piano’s concept was to create hills within the landscape to mirror the seven major hills of San Francisco but with a twist – the natural landscape was lifted three stories up and placed atop the building. The configuration of the hills also related to the functions below, while they rise above the planetarium, the rain forest exhibit and the aquarium entrance, they lower at the central piazza to admit light and air. The piazza is partly covered with glass to create a microclimate enabling year-round use. Smaller skylights on the roof allow natural light and ventilation to enter the exhibition spaces.

To acknowledge the fact that the facility was essentially a receptacle for exhibition, education, conservation and research of natural history, the entire scheme was designed with a sustainable agenda. Natural ventilation instead of air-conditioning for large parts of the building, carefully chosen building materials, an efficient use and reuse of water, as well as generation of energy are all an integral part of the design. The creation of the green roof actively contributed in achieving all these goals and hence the landscape architecture was a device that facilitated the building architecture to realise its potential, rather than being an aesthetic add-on. 

In comparison to other projects with green roofs, this one stands apart not only for the area it covers but also for the fact that its technical and natural systems are designed to work in harmony and the roof features numerous sustainable design elements. The native plants were chosen for their adaptability to the area’s seasonal irrigation cycle and their ability to attract maximum species of birds, insects and butterflies. The roof was designed to thrive on natural, not mechanical irrigation sources. Additionally, the drainage system recycles all storm water runoff back into the water table. The roof generates sustainable energy as well. Photovoltaic cells line the roof perimeter, collecting solar energy to help power the Academy.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Academy has reduced the building’s physical footprint and the surrounding pavement by approximately 1.5 acres. This land will be re-established as park gardens.

Text Compilation: Amrita Ravimohan
Photographs: courtesy Tom Fox, SWA Group

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