The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is one of the few Natural Science Institutes where the public experience is directly related to in-house scientific research, done in the same building, since its foundation. The new Academy is designed on the same site of the previous facility in Golden Gate Park. This project required the demolition of most of the 11 existing buildings, built between 1916 and 1976.

Sustainability is also part of the exhibition design, the exhibition philosophy, and its day-to-day operation. The building retains the former Academy’s location and orientation, and like the original Academy, all functions are organized around central Piazza - covered by a partly open filigree skylight -, or courtyard -. The new Academy consumes 30% less energy than required by federal code. 5,000 sqm (55,000 sq ft) of photovoltaic cells in the steel/glass roof supply almost 213,000 kWh of energy (about 5% of the new Academy’s energy needs), and prevent the release of more than 405,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. The planted roof provides a thermal insulating layer for the building that help prevent overheating during the summer months and reduce energy needs for air-conditioning.

The Bolla, a fully glazed, spherical, steel pipe dome construction - 27 m (89 ft) in diameter - contains a simulated rain forest biosphere that can be viewed by the public. The project is LEED Platinum^®.