Sustainability at the California Academy of Sciences

Aaron PopeManager of Sustainability Programs

2

An Overview – the Academy

The new Academy building is a LEED platinum rated green building, completed in October, 2007

• Consumes 30-35% less energy than a conventional building would

• Consumes 30% less water than a conventional building would

• Built using large amounts of recycled materials

3

Energy Efficiency cont.

• Photovoltaic Cells

• Sixty thousand photovoltaic cells provide 5% to 10% of the building’s electricity from solar energy.

• The multi-crystalline cells were the most energy efficient cells on the market, achieving at least 20% efficiency.

• Our original projection was that they would generate 217,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year, and it now looks like they will generate 250-260,000 kilowatt hours per year.

4

Energy Efficiency cont.

• Natural air conditioning

• Steep roofs draw cool air into the open piazza at the center of the building, naturally ventilating the surrounding exhibit spaces.

• Automatic skylights open to release warm air as needed to regulate heat.

• Motorized windows automatically open and shut to allow cool air into the building.

• Automatic shutters open and close to block sunlight and keep building cool

• Staff offices have manual windows to regulate temperature.

5

Energy Efficiency cont.

• Radiant heating and cooling

• Pipes carrying the Academy’s existing water supply run under the floor and throughout the walls, heating or cooling the building without wasting energy.

• Very efficient way to heat or cool spaces near the floor

6

Energy Efficiency cont.

• Natural light

• Most occupied spaces have access to daylight, reducing energy use and heat from electric lighting.

• Automatic shutters open and close to let in or keep out natural light.

• Sunlight shines through rooftop skylights onto the rain forest and aquarium, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

• Photosensors in the lighting system automatically regulate artificial light in response to daylight conditions.

7

Energy Efficiency cont.

• Living roof insulation

• The living roof provides insulation, helping keep the building cool in the summer.

8

Energy Efficiency cont.

• Roof perimeter

• Extended roof perimeter blocks out hot summer sun and lets in warm winter sun to regulate office spaces.

9

Water Conservation

• The Academy bathrooms have low flow fixtures in them – currently we are replacing our urinals with waterless urinals.

• Saltwater for the aquariums is piped in from the Pacific Ocean and the nitrate wastes are purified with natural systems so that the water can be recycled.

• The Academy retains nearly 3.6 million gallons of rainwater per year (98%), preventing storms from carrying pollutants into the ecosystem.

• The roof absorbs the majority of rainwater.

• Excess water from storms will filter through a collection system and enter Golden Gate Park’s reclaimed water system.

10

Recycled Materials

• Recycled Building Materials

• In the United States over 2.5 pounds of building material waste per person is generated daily.

• Building materials can be recycled just like aluminum cans, cardboard and paper.

11

Recycled Materials cont.

• Where did it go?

• 80,000 tons of sand from excavation of foundations and basements went to local construction projects.

• All steel was recycled and sent to steel company

• The concrete became base for a new roadway project in Richmond

The original Golden Gate Park Academy building was torn down in 2004 and 90% of the waste was recycled instead of being sent to landfills.

12

Recycled Materials cont.

• The Academy utilized many types of recycled building material in the building’s construction.

• Every possible effort was made to use as few raw materials as possible.

• The building uses 100% recycled steel and rebar, conserving energy and natural resources.

• The building’s concrete contains recycled materials - 35% slag and 15% fly ash

• At least 50% of the wood in the new Academy was sustainably harvested and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

13 An aquarium, rainforest,

Inside the Academy…

A rainforest, an aquarium, a planetarium and a natural history museum, under a living roof

14

Open for business

• The new Academy opened for business in September, 2008

• Since opening we have received approximately 1.2 million visitors

• A visit to the Academy explores two central questions:

1) How did life get here?

2) How will life continue to survive on this planet (sustainability)

15

Why is sustainability important at the Academy?

Protecting the environment is a central part of the Academy’s mission

“To explore, explain and protect the natural world”

16

Central teaching strategies

The Academy uses several strategies to teach its visitors about sustainability

Some of them are…

• Use of the building itself as a teaching tool• Green amenities and signage• Exhibits which emphasize sustainability – Altered State• Programs which emphasize sustainability – Antennae

Audio Tour• Collateral handouts on sustainability

17

Using the building as a teaching tool

Using the building as a teaching tool is the primary reason the Academy built green

We wanted to:

• Set a positive example

• Be a source of inspiration

• Contribute to future green building projects

Lowering the Academy environmental footprint was a secondary goal

18

The Building Green Exhibit

Building Green is the central area where visitors can learn about the design features of the building.

Interpretation of the Academy’s green design

19

Green Amenities

Above the public water fountains, signage and graphics encouraging visitors to think twice before using bottled water.

Water fountains

20

Green Amenities

In the public restrooms, signage encourages visitors to conserve water and install low-flow fixtures in their own homes.

Bathroom interpretation

21

Exhibits – Altered State

Altered State explores the science of climate change, the effects we might expect to see globally and in our own California backyard, and the steps that can be taken to mitigate these dramatic changes.

22

Exhibits – Altered State

Arena for Engagement – all about empowerment and action

Contains a number of interactive activities which promote sustainable choices

23

Audio Tour

Antennae Audio Tour

• Subject – Architecture and green building design

• Available for rental

• Use of advanced audio equipment

• Content is a mix of audio, pictures and interactives

• Contains several messages regarding sustainable actions

24

Sustainability Card

The Academy has produced the sustainability made simple card

The card was designed to cut through the noise visitors get every day regarding environmental choices, and offer simple solutions to help the environment, from a trusted source.

The card emphasizes green living practices, offering a range of choices from very simple to complex.

It also offers information on how visitors can help implement institutional changes.

25

Conclusions

1) There is no silver bullet. Sustainability is about incremental steps to get closer and closer to efficiency.

2) No organization is perfect. Becoming sustainable is a journey which must be constantly analyzed, measured and improved upon.

3) Design features which make the building green can be incorporated into smaller projects such as homes.

4) There is room in any cultural institution to educate and inspire your visitors about sustainability.