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'Top-down approach' for sustainable science academy

03/11/2008 15:02:18

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco was designed from the roof down to ensure sustainable architecture principles were adhered to, reports the Guardian.

According to the publication, architect Renzo Piano was keen to minimise the impact of the structure on its surroundings as it houses areas including "slices of rainforest" and colonies of bats and seabirds.

In an extension of this minimal approach, the steel supports for the roof were made so slender that high-tension cables were added to increase their strength.

"The main body of the academy was to be as immaterial as technically possible - the details would be filled in later," the publication explains.

Article author Jonathan Glancey notes that the design process began with a sketch by Piano of the roof - and nothing else - representing an entirely top-down approach.

Sustainable construction practices incorporated into the new building include the use of recycled denim as insulation and 1.7 million plants placed on the 2.5-acre roof. ADNFCR-1903-ID-18855697-ADNFCR