California Academy of Sciences

The Living Roof

Ongoing Free with Academy Admission

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An open-air observation terrace will enable visitors to get a close-up look at the roof’s lush canopy of plants. The view will encompass the densest concentration of native wildflowers in San Francisco. The expansive vista will also become an ideal location for watching Northern California’s birds, butterflies and insects. Skylights above the larger domes will open and close throughout the day, enabling sunlight to reach the exhibits below. The steep slopes of the rooftop's hills will draw cool air into the open piazza at the center of the building. Weather stations on the roof will monitor wind, rain, and changes in temperature to help inform the automated passive ventilation systems.

Renzo Piano's masterstroke of design lies in making the park's environment such a visible part of the building itself. The rooftop's seven undulating green hillocks pay homage to the iconic topography of San Francisco and blurs the boundary between building and parkland.

The garden that surrounds the observation deck contains over 40 native California species! The Living Roof´s 1.7 million native plants were specially chosen to flourish in Golden Gate Park´s climate.

After experimenting with thirty native species, the finalists were all able to self-propagate. They will thrive with little water, resist the salt spray from ocean air, and tolerate wind.

The roof will provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. A future project will seek to introduce the endangered San Bruno elfin butterfly and the Bay checkerspot butterfly to this new habitat.

For more information, please visit the California Academy of Sciences Web site.