The shallow floor plate of the upper building is organized in a branching pattern lifted high off the ground to allow for unimpeded views to the ocean, mountains and surrounding landscape. Prevailing ocean (day) and mountain (evening) breezes circulate underneath and through the building. Exceptionally large operable windows of two meters wide provide natural ventilation and generous cross breezes for the interiors during the cooler months of the year.

© Steven Holl

Sky gardens, sunken courtyards, balconies at the ends of each floor, and terraces throughout the building create micro-climates that bring the landscape further indoors and create passively cooled tertiary zones.

In addition to natural ventilation, filtered outside air (MERV-13) is added to all the mechanical systems prior to conditioning and interior-CO2 levels are constantly monitored to control the fresh air exchange rate. A heatrecovery unit exchanges the conditioned exhausted air temperature with the incoming fresh air, and prevents any cooling energy from being lost.

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