Greener Than Thou is our report on San Francisco’s obsession with all things green, giving credit where credit is due and calling bullshit when the need arises. Feeling morally superior on the green front? Testify!
Everyone has a piece to say on the new Transbay Terminal Plan released by the city last week. Join us today as we relay some of the most inflammatory best sound bytes we've come across on the Interweb: An exceptionally frank assessment by none other than an (anonymous!) Curbed SF reader: "Oh I don't know. I'm not anti-height by any means, but I find the Pelli Tranny Tower pretty uninspiring. I'd much rather see the Piano proposal top off the skyline than this blandly derivative dildo. The presenters' idea was to make the Tranny Tower the centerpiece of the skyline in order to make a statement about the importance of public transportation, but if that was their goal, they should have picked a design that didn't suck a bucket of cocks."
FACT #1:The California Academy of Science's PR team is no doubt crying hysterically/ guzzling Mad Dog/ releasing primal screams at this very moment. Why? See fact #2.
FACT #2: Renzo Piano's building will not be the first museum to earn a Platinum LEED rating. Snap! How do we know that, anyway? See fact #3.
FACT#3:Michael Lehrer of Lehrer Architects already already earned the aforementioned Platinum LEED rating for the Water + Life Museums, designed and built for the Western Center for Archeology and Paleontology + Center for Water Education in Hemet, California. Micheal who? Hemet where? Take the jump.
· Hemet Museums Win LEED Platinum Race [Curbed LA]
Prepare for the mutiny that will erupt— and it will, believe us— as word spreads (enter Curbed SF) about the cost of admission at the new California Academy of Sciences. We can safely say that San Franciscans— nay, Archiheads the world over— have fallen into a swoon over this building, a superfantastic biomagical spaceship of a thing set to open in the fall. But they've gone and pulled a MoMA on us, SF: Adult tickets will ring in at nearly $25. And unlike MoMA or SF MOMA or many other civic institutions, there are no free Thursdays, or Tuesdays, or any other weekly free days in sight— try 17 for the entire year. Do we sound like misers? Indignant, democracy-loving San Franciscans? (And yes, we do know biodomes ain't cheap, but damn.) Good— that's the effect we're aiming for here. [SF Examiner]
In Architecture Watch, Curbed SF expands its world view to new structures across the globe. Projects of note should be directed accordingly.
We think it's safe to say that all of San Francisco— nay, all the country— is eagerly anticipating the opening of the Renzo Piano-designed California Academy of Sciences. Though Piano's work is universally acclaimed for the most part, his new project in London, Central Saint Giles, misses the mark — at least judging by these renderings. Due for completion in 2009, the new 500,000 square foot mixed-use development consists of three 12-story buildings. Clad in individually colored ceramic and glass facades, the buildings definitely make a statement, although perhaps a bit garishly. Of the color, Piano says, "...by adding levitated, articulated and colorful buildings, (Central Saint Giles) physically expresses the people-focused and socially responsible credentials of modern corporate tenants." Of the color, Curbed SF says, "Whatevs Renz, it's totes ugs" (Because that's how we really do speak— it's not just a blog thing, you know.) Lesson learned, SF — the InterContinental really could be worse.
· Renzo Piano unveils new plans for London [World Architecture News]
· Invasion!: Science Squad Storms CA Academy of Sciences [Curbed SF]
The California Academy of Sciences won't be open to the public until next autumn. The view at Golden Gate Park is still rather vague— the building isn't changing very rapidly on the outside. What tends to be forgotten though, is that scientists and other assorted hauling lackeys have been gradually carting plants, animals, and other specemins from the Academy's soon-to-be former location. Decidedly impressive. Check out Golden Gate XPress for further deets.
· Academy beginning to show its greener side [Golden Gate XPress]
· Greener Than Thou: Renzo Raises the Roof [Curbed SF]
Greener Than Thou is our report on San Francisco’s obsession with all things green, calling bullshit in the poseurs and lavishing praise on those who have secured their place in environmental paradise. Feeling morally superior on the green front? Testify!
The California Academy of Sciences (perhaps the most green of the Greener Than Thou buildings in San Francisco) is a striking example of new way of approaching building design. Let's forget about Renzo for one hot second, and instead focus on the ground troops: As architects become increasingly ambitious with "green roofs," it is becoming much more necessary for them to work closely with their landcape brethern. SWA Group, the landscape masterminds behind the Academy, had to adapt their original design to fit with the architect's intent. But it wasn't as simple as that— any change in the structural system requires alterations not only to the mechanical system, but also the irrigation and soil systems of the roof. The building is affected by its rooftop landscape just as much as the landscaped is informed by the building. See then Architectural Record for more than you ever wanted to know about the 7 green humps atop San Francisco's favorite piece of new architecture.
· Landscape/Architecture Firms Growing Closer [Architectural Record]
· SWA Group]
The new Academy of Sciences has long been touting it's LEED Platinum design; a recent piece in the Architect's Newspaper proves Kermit's immortal axiom: it ain't easy being green. As green elements are added to a project, the potential for conflict between building systems increases. Yesterday, we told you about Thom Mayne's beef with LEED and the questionable certification of the environmentally-friendly, intelligently-designed Federal Building; so then how difficult is it going to be to get a platinum rating in a temperature-regulated museum containing a tropical rain forest? Well, despite the over 20,000 tons of recycled material, 60,000 photovoltaic cells, and 2.5 acres of green roof— Very.
In order to keep the space from overheating, (Engineering firm ARUP) developed an electronic lighting and ventilation system that will control mechanical blinds and lower the tree-related lights during the day and blast them with light when occupants leave at night. The system will then automatically “flush the hot air out” in the morning before visitors arrive.
Yesterday marked move-in day at the future CA Academy of Sciences, which welcomed it's first living residents. Four trees were installed in the four-story glass sphere that will eventually house the world's largest rain forest display. The four ton, 30 foot tall, ecologically fragile trees— Brazilian beautyleaf, black olive, mahogany and water chestnut— have completed a precarious 18-month journey from their native home in Florida.
In a dramatic article narrating the long and difficult process of importing these trees, the academy's associate director, Chris Andrews, tells the Chronicle that the newly planted trees aren't (*ahem*) "out of the woods yet". They still have to "set down roots" (literally), "establish themselves" (figuratively), and "recover from their trip" (literally and figuratively). Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the Academy of Sciences will open next fall and is expected to obtain a platinum LEED rating - the highest possible.
· First tenants ready to put down roots at new Academy of Sciences [SF gate]
· California Academy of Sciences: A Revolution Already Launched? [Curbed SF]
About Curbed SF
From the Golden Gate to The Mission, in San Francisco, it all comes back to our neighborhoods: where we live, where we work, where we eat, and where we play. Covering real estate sales, rental prices, and news-making deals and much more, it's all on Curbed SF. More about Curbed SF...
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Everyone has a piece to say on the new Transbay Terminal Plan released by the city last week. Join us today as we relay some of the 
Prepare for the mutiny that will erupt— and it will, believe us— as word spreads (enter Curbed SF) about the cost of admission at the new California Academy of Sciences. 
Yesterday marked move-in day at the future CA Academy of Sciences, which welcomed it's first living residents. Four trees were installed in the four-story glass sphere that will eventually house the world's largest rain forest display. The four ton, 30 foot tall, ecologically fragile trees— Brazilian beautyleaf, black olive, mahogany and water chestnut— have completed a precarious 18-month journey from their native home in Florida.
