# Eco Museums San Francisco's Academy of Sciences By Going Like Sixty | Published 2008-03-12 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/san-frans-academy-of-sciences References: [popsci](http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2008-03/living-museum) Lovers of [eco-friendly buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-exploration) will not be disappointed with the hippies in NoCal. This fall, the new museum will be open and the public will have the chance to see what is under those giant bulges covered with grass and flowers. The roof alone is a marvel. "The $484-million structure will most likely be the largest public building ever to qualify for the [U.S. Green Building Council's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/usgbc) “platinum” LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating," according to Popular Science. "The designation, so far held by just 70 buildings worldwide, is the highest honor in green construction." The building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, insulates and ventilates the huge museum below. The [living rooftop](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cmp-inspiration) is tiled with 50,000 biodegradable trays made of coconut husks layered to keep plants in place. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Green Buildings:** Designing and constructing buildings to be environmentally friendly can help buildings qualify for LEED certifications and become sustainable structures. - **Sustainable Architecture:** Creating eco-friendly museum structures like the Academy of Sciences' facility can demonstrate innovative techniques for sustainable architecture. - **Living Roofs:** Creating rooftop gardens using biodegradable trays and coconut husks can provide green space and have a positive environmental impact in urban areas. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture:** Architects and builders can innovate new eco-friendly designs and techniques for buildings like sustainable museums. - **Construction:** Building contractors can utilize sustainable building materials and methods to contribute to the creation of eco-friendly structures and obtain LEED certification. - **Urban Design:** Urban designers can incorporate living roofs and green spaces into the architecture of urban areas to reduce the environmental impact of cities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cultural Green Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taichung-green.md) - [Futuristic Cultural Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-lucas-museum-of-narrative-arts.md) - [Park Library Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taichung-green-museumbrary.md) - [Dynamic Installation Science Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hainan-science-museum.md) - [Sustainably Built Public Attractions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-exploration.md) - [Adaptive Design Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birkenstock-site.md) - [Curved Green Roof-Topped Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunner-museum.md) - [Clover-Style Conference Center Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zgc-international-innovation-center.md) - [Sun-Inspired Disc-Topped Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/science-island-museum.md)