Space Zoo Patrol – Future Buildings
by Linda Keane, FAIA, American Institute of Architects
- What is it called?
Sustainable buildings (example discussed and shown here is the CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, DESIGNED BY RENZO PIANO)
- What does it do?
It offers a green roof (a living roof) that cools the inside so that it lessens the need for air conditioning, offers a habitat for biodiversity, and helps offset the urban heat island effect. (Heat Island Effect –https://www.epa.gov/heatislands#:~:text=Heat%20islands%20are%20urbanized%20areas,as%20forests%20and%20water%20bodies.)
- How does it work?
The Academy of Sciences is part of a larger park, with 37,000 sq. meters of living roof raised up 10 meters above the ground. The green roof supports over a million plants in biodegradable coconut-fiber containers. The roof is flat around the perimeter, but turns into a landscape with hills. The contours create a series of domes of various heights. The two main domes cover the planetarium and rain forest exhibitions that are inside. There are skylights in the hills that open and close to let fresh air into the building. The moisture in the soil on the roof helps cool the inside of the museum (public areas as well as the research offices) significantly.
- How is it better than the old technology?
Looking at billions of years of evolution helped us to understand nature’s way of life that then led us to start using natural building techniques. Using green roofs can save 20% of a building’s energy usage over conventional designs (source: Environment Canada).
- What classes should I take in school to work on this?
Besides engineering and architecture classes, take classes about biology and botany.
- Pictures
Exterior
Interior
Green roof of California Academy of Science
