Italian architect Renzo Piano translated the 2.5 acre roof-space of the California Academy Of Sciences Museum into an exhibition in itself. From afar, the roof resembles the San Francisco hills, hiding this unusual garden from the unknowing eye. The ‘living roof’ aims to be a sustainable source of energy for the building. The foliage forms excellent insulation, which lessens the need to install heating or cooling systems for the numerous guests visiting the museum daily, four seasons per year. The garden captures excess storm water while transforming carbon dioxide into oxygen. Additionally, the roof forms an outdoor and interactive classroom for visiting school children. Within this unusual educational space, the students can examine the wildlife and plants. They can also check out aspects of the museum such as the weather stations recording data from the surrounding climate.
