In winter, the architecture takes advantage of passive solar energy for heating. In summer, cooling requirements are reduced due to shade from mature growth trees located close to the building. These trees were saved during construction, thanks to careful coordination between the architect and contractors.

The building also benefits from the sun's rays to reduce lighting costs. Light monitors are supplemented by indirect and task-ambient lighting. Through cooperation with the architect, the duct systems are simple, eliminating the need for external insulation, saving on raw materials (sheet metal and pipes), and maintaining ventilation fan energy at a minimum.

The HVAC system for the building consists of a series of water to air heat pumps which exchange heat with the earth through a horizontal network of piping, buried four feet below ground. No fossil fuel is consumed at the building. The systems require no make up water, or chemicals for water treatment; therefore, no chemicals are discharge to the air or the ground through the sanitary waste system.

The client was so pleased with the geothermal system it was added to the exhibit sequence. The mechanical room door was fitted with a glass panel to allow visitors to view into the main mechanical room. Shown to the left are the main geothermal hydronic pumps (red), the diaphragm expansion tanks (blue), and the water-to-air heat pumps (white).