Recently I visited San Francisco and stopped by Golden Gate Park to check out the De Young Museum.

The building was very impressive, designed by the renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and Fong & Chan Architects in San Francisco.

The most notable elements were:

the dimpled copper cladding,

the dramatic overhang,

and the tower.

I didn’t pay much attention to the building across the way, but apparently I should have. Here’s a photo of the state of the construction during my visit (June):

Check out this story - California Academy of Science Green Roof - at Inhabitat.

Judging by the drawings it should be pretty spectacular when complete.

Of course, the common counterpoint to a fancy new green roof is ‘consumption/construction is inherently not green.’

Hopefully aspects of this green building can serve as an example for future builders/remodelers for how to efficiently integrate green ideas into their projects, thus maximizing the return on the consumption investment.

For more info click on over to The New California Academy of Sciences Building website.