Often, the best part of a project is seeing the final product. Sometimes, however, it’s swimming with stingrays. Rainbow’s recent concrete repair project at the California Academy of Sciences offered our team the opportunity to work in an environment unlike any we have encountered before.
The California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences has always been forward-thinking. Founded in 1853, it is the oldest operating museum and natural sciences research institution in California. It encouraged women’s involvement in science at a time when it was rare and hired women in professional positions when other institutions kept them limited to menial work. Researchers at the Academy have been the first to study some of our planet’s most fascinating lifeforms.
Today, the Academy is home to the Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability, where scientists explore fields ranging from anthropology to marine biology to paleontology, with an emphasis on conservation and environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, its museum welcomes nearly 1.5 million visitors per year and offers a wide range of educational and community outreach programs.
One of the most beloved venues is the Steinhart Aquarium, which houses nearly 40,000 animals and offers a unique view into life in underwater environments. This includes a lagoon where visitors can see cownose and honeycomb stingrays gracefully glide through the water. In 2020, a forward-thinking approach by Academy and Rainbow ensured that these animals can continue to thrive.
Chris Abell greeting the rays while surveying the lagoon at the California Academy of Sciences.
Concrete Repair in the Lagoon
Maintaining safe and healthy environments for marine life is no small task. So when rust spots appeared in the lagoon exhibit, high-quality concrete repair was critical.
“We were contacted by the Facilities Director to review the rust spots,” says Rob Browne, Vice President at Rainbow and lead on the California Academy of Sciences project, “In order to get a quantity of concrete repairs we may encounter, we received permission to access the tank to perform an up-close survey of the concrete surfaces.” That meant swimming with the stingrays. Ever up for a challenge, Rainbow President Chris Abell put on his wetsuit and jumped in to explore the tank and greet the rays.
As experts in waterproofing, the Rainbow team had navigated complex projects before, from confined water tank relining to rooftops that double as playgrounds. But in the lagoon, contamination, dust control, and containment were of particular concern, as they could have significant implications for the aquatic ecosystems in the Academy’s care. To protect the delicate environment, the decision was made to empty the tank. The team was able to fully contain the work areas as they performed concrete repair and applied a waterproofing coating system at the splash zone areas of the tank (from the waterline to the top edge of the observation deck).
Work began on February 10, 2020 and was completed on March 8, 2020. All work was performed in the evening hours, when the facility was closed to the public, to minimize disruption and maintain safety.
A Special Project
While swimming with the stingrays made for a memorable experience, working at the Academy was particularly special for Rob and Chris. Born and raised in the Bay Area, they understood what a remarkable project they were participating in. As Rob says, “The California Academy of Sciences is a fantastic place for the young and old. Anyone who has attended elementary school in the Bay Area has likely visited the Academy on a field trip. To have the opportunity to provide our services for this organization is an honor.”
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The Rainbow Team is Northern California’s most trusted waterproofing and restoration company. We have the craftsmanship and expertise to handle any commercial or historic building envelope, masonry, or waterproofing project in the San Francisco Bay Area.
