For this month's guest blog post at Inspired Design Daily, MYD reviews a very unique case study that resonates beautifully, both aesthetically and functionally- the California Academy of Sciences, at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.  A great place to visit, with the world's largest digital planetarium, a living rainforest biodome and natural history museum, this project by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, has something for everyone.  And if you're interested in green roofs, it's especially intriguing.

To learn more about this extraordinary project and read the full post, visit Inspired Design Daily and let us know what you think!

Such types of 'intensive' vegetated roofs typically need substantial soil depth for larger plants and trees, which, in turn, requires regular maintenance, as well as a building structure that can support the additional weight.  However, recent advancements in technology have led to the development of lightweight modular systems that utilize interlocking trays, made of recycled material and prevegetated with plants selected by a local grower with careful consideration of climate, maintenance, and project design goals.

Earlier today, the green roof at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano was completed, with a LiveRoof system generously donated by regional distributor, Florasource, Ltd.  The system was finished off with Permaloc GeoEdge, a 100% recyclable, durable and integrated edge restraint made of lightweight recycled aluminum. 

The incorporation of this living roof technology with PV panels and green building materials highlights the concept of accessible and community-oriented sustainable design, to serve in alignment with The Ecology Center's educational programs and values.

On Green Roofs:  From an aesthetic perspective, green roofs make for an appealing alternative to many traditional roofing systems.  Besides the benefits of appearance, vegetated roofs also provide a number of energy-efficient and environmentally responsive advantages for not only a specific project site, but for neighboring properties and communities as well. 

Direct environmental benefits include the creation of habitats, absorbtion and filtration of potential stormwater runoff, and the ability to moderate the microclimate.  The increased vegetation mitigates the urban heat island effect, as lower ambient daytime temperatures create a more comfortable and healthy surrounding environment, particularly in dense, urban areas. In addition, a planted roof provides for high insulation values at the project site, impacting building energy use and interior occupant comfort.

Keep an eye out for an upcoming official 'off-the-boards' post with more details on the people, products, and community that made the Solar Structure happen...

The Living Building Challenge program differentiates itself from other certification systems with a performance-based approach, as opposed to a prescriptive one, meaning specific design strategies and elements aren’t necessarily required for certification.  Instead, creativity and collaboration are encouraged in order to meet stringent performance standards.

To learn more about this unique new project that coexists harmoniously with natural ecological systems, make sure to visit Inspired-Design-Daily and read the complete post.  Thanks!

At Redefine Home, the approach to online shopping is unique; with a keen eye for good design, the owner-designers find, design, build, and buy products that are truly one-of-a-kind.  They are passionate about what they do, so we encourage you to take a look and find something special...  See below for a few items to get started, and happy shopping!

We couldn't help but take a peek at our solar structure site, behind the historic Congdon House, the oldest wooden structure in San Juan Capistrano (and home to The Ecology Center since 2008), and were excited to see the tell-tale signs that construction is impending...

This project is a great example of how the building industry, community and environment can work together to contribute to the educational efforts of this great organization.  All services- architectural, structural, and construction- are being provided on a pro-bono basis, and materials (including PV, green roof modules and paper-based fiber composite siding material) were generously donated by local vendors.

With all our approvals in place and the permit ready to go, what better time to break ground on  a project that embodies the environmental, social and community-oriented principles of sustainable design?

MYD is excited to be a part of this collaborative effort, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day!

Make sure to visit Inspired Design Daily for the complete entry and additional photos!

For MYD's project in Oahu, we've been going through this iterative process and the design has progressed based on a number of factors that we thought might be interesting to share, as well as offer a glimpse into our design development process.

We'll be focusing on site-responsive design, so make sure to visit inspired design daily for the complete entry and additional images.  See you there!

MYD will be participating by sharing case studies and projects of interest on the last Thursday of each month, and we look forward to being a part of this great online community!