Sam Spade's San Francisco

The new California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park is now home to living animals.

In the photo: The California Academy of Sciences Building at Golden Gate Park features a "living roof" on top of a platinum-rated LEED building.

Last month, the first coral reefs were affixed to the various niches and rock ledges inside the 212,000-gallon Philippine Coral Reef tank. Swimming among them are 57 fish, which will feed on and help control the growth of algae in the tank. Over the next seven months, thousands more coral colonies and fish will join them.

The Academy chose to feature a Philippine coral reef because the reef systems in the Philippines are among the most diverse in the world. All of the animals will be captive-bred or come from sustainable sources, highlighting the importance of in-country research and conservation programs.

It's taken ten years and great vision to unify the Academy's twelve buildings into one notable structure. Under one Living Roof, the new Academy contains a planetarium, aquarium, and natural history museum. When the facility opens in Fall 2008, the Academy hopes to earn the highest rating-platinum- for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Learn more here.

The Academy constructed the new facility using methods that reflect its commitment to the natural world, enabling the institution to lead by example. Sustainable features include solar panels, radiant subfloor heating, water reclamation, a living roof, and more. Learn more here.

Fish, reptiles, birds, and insects had to find a new home to make the vision of the new building a reality. Staff scientists used special techniques to move them to the Howard Street location, or in some cases, other aquariums. Six times the number of living specimens will inhabit the new facility in Golden Gate Park. Learn more here.

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