Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

I decided right away that a trip to the new Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park was number one on my list of things to see in San Francisco on this trip. It just
re-opened in 2009 after the 1989 Loma Prietta earthquake made the old structure unstable. What an amazing piece of architecture. It is a platinum level, LEEDS certified green building, that incorporates every green building technology available. It's a 400,000 square foot structure that houses an aquarium, a planetarium a natural history museum and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof. I will share many photos of what we saw inside out outside the building starting with the AMAZING rain forest and aquarium.

I have been going to the Academy of Sciences since I was a child and I must say, that I've never experienced such variety of species, and beautiful architectural design in one place. The butterflies and tropical birds and frogs and plant life in the rainforest dome are really something to see. Everything just flies, hops and crawls around you in the same space. Something they would never allow when I was a kid. I will now include a bunch of photos, as they will speak more than my words can.

The glass tunnel for the fish was just fantastic. These were HUGE amazonian fish. Bigger than

a pick-up truck!

They have added huge glass walls to view tropical fish, just like in the aquarium down in Monterey.

The reptiles and frogs are my favorite. So much personality, in a twisted, prehistoric kind of slimy way. Just fascinating! I remember chasing lizards and snakes down the river where I grew up here in California. I now know this is the kind of place I will volunteer to work after I retire.

This is by far the biggest sea bass I have ever seen in my life. Not sure if I will ever eat one again. Imagine these giants being extinct from our oceans! Reminds me of my second grade teacher :o)....and she was my favorite teacher in my life!

The roof of the Academy's new building

uses soil as insulation Architect Renzo Piano achieved this in his design for the Living Roof. Not only does the green rooftop canopy visually connect the building to the park landscape, but it also provides significant gains in heating and cooling efficiency. The six inches of soil substrate on the roof act as natural insulation, and every year will keep approximately 3.6 million gallons of rainwater from becoming stormwater. Surrounding the Living Roof is a large glass canopy with a decorative band of 60,000 photovoltaic cells. These solar panels will generate approximately 213,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year and provide up to 10% of the Academy's electricity need. The use of solar power will prevent the release of 405,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emission into the air. f you have a chance in your lifetime, go see this place.

You wont regret it. More tomorrow............