When the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco relocates next spring to a new $220-million waterside home, visitors no doubt will marvel first at the spectacular views of San Francisco Bay from the building's perch on Piers 15 and 17.
But even at second glance, museumgoers probably won't spot another important aspect of the new facility: a network of heating, cooling, water-use and other systems that the building team hopes will achieve its goal of net-zero energy use—a lofty target for a major museum.