Cultural

California Academy of Sciences

San Francisco, ca

Overview

Fittingly located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences was the largest and greenest building of its type upon opening. In fact, the project was awarded the Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction in North America. This 6-story, 410,000 sf living museum houses a wide array of exhibits including: an aquarium, the world’s first digital planetarium, a 4-story rainforest, a lecture hall, a living roof, an extensive research facility, and the world’s largest insect collection (more than 26 million specimens).

(image ©Tim Griffith)

TEECOM’s Contribution

TEECOM provided integrated technology design, technology project management, and construction administration for the new Cal Academy. The Academy spared no expense when investing in technology for the new Planetarium Dome. TEECOM and Visual Acuity collaborated to ultimately provide all 290 visitors per show an experience that is literally out-of-this-world. TEECOM provided the physical infrastructure that served as the critical backbone at the back-end, which allowed for Visual Acuity to optimize the digital technology at the front-end.

(Image ©Tim Griffith)

Behind the Walls

Part of the Planetarium for Free: TEECOM’s integrated technology approach enabled us to deliver $4,000,000 in upfront capital cost savings as well as $875,000 in ongoing operational costs. We like to say that Cal Academy was able to realize a portion of its Planetarium for free. Talk about a self-funded TEEm.

Services Provided

Telecom

IT Spaces (MDF, IDFs, and Data Centers), Pathways, Structured Cabling, Outside-Plant Cabling, Rendering Equipment Room

Audiovisual

Innovative Audio Encapsulation Technology; Distinct Audio Channels (over 1,000); Audiovisual Racks (over 100), Public Address, Planetarium Infrastructure, 3D Theater

Security

Access Control & Alarm Monitoring System; Video Surveillance System; Intrusion Detection System; Entry Telephone and Intercom Systems

Network

Integrated Building Network supporting all electronic systems (DAS, EMS, Audio and Video distribution, security, Wi-Fi, back-office systems), Local-Area Network Architecture, Core/Distribution/Access Layer, Network Security