California Academy Of Science Academy Summary

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This article is a review of California Academy of Science (academy) by Renzo Piano and the Surry Hills library & community center (Surry Hill L & CC). There will be an introduction compare and contrast and this compare and contrast will continue throughout the article. The second paragraph talks about each building strongest moment. Function and context will be analyzed fallowed by negative moments in the design review. Australia vs California, library vs science center, two of the more obvious contrasting points we will see when examining the California Academy of Science and the Surry Hills library & community center. Outside of their location (San Francisco the home for academy, Sydney Australia location of the library) one could contrast …show more content…

Functioning as a museum, Piano’s building creates many dynamic spaces and each space is intended to capture the viewer’s visual attention with each exhibit. One of the more meditative spaces happens at the base of an elevator. The space opens to an acrylic corridor that is located under the water of rain forest display. The library and community center dose contain dynamic spaces within it small square footage. At the main circulation entrance one is greeted by a triple height opening that displays an indication of the staggered second floor and concludes with sweeping ceiling that allows for natural light to penetrate into the building at the waves crest. The main atrium that is essential to the libraries air circulation additionally creates a dynamic feature onto 3 of the 4 floors in Surry Hills. The author believes that Surry Hills includes more of a complete sustainable system then Piano’s museum. The academy uses: a large insulating green roof, solar paneling, reverse osmosis water purification, natural, self-operating cooling strategies, and many natural light systems. Surry Hills makes use of these systems and includes: geothermal heating and cooling, labyrinth heating a cooling and multiple points that use biofilters other than just the …show more content…

The academy is within Golden State Park. An area that stops the Urbanism of the surrounding environment and opens up to museums, and parks. A place of leisure to get away from the city. The building on ground level uses cold materials, but allows great amounts of filtered light in and around the building. Inside the walls of the academy visitors are transported to multiple other worlds. The exterior reads as calming and sterile, creating a possible moment of surprise to guests who enter to see the exhibits. The Surry Hills library and community center is located in Surry Hill neighborhood. The structure is larger than many surrounding homes and offices but not large enough to be considered out of scale. The community center breaks the building height by one story, and is as large four average homes in the area. Surry Hills uses wood and glass on their exterior, creating a large amount of transparency to the community and introducing a warm finish to neighborhood. Surry Hills L & CC fits into the context best. Both finishes on both buildings are appropriate for the functions and the academy finish is appropriate for the focus to be on the inside, but not given away. The outside finish of the academy still feels too sterile, and the invitation Surry Hills projects is more successful for the

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