Natural Ventilation Reducing the solar heat gain in the summer significantly lowers the building's cooling load, so the building can often be kept cool solely through natural ventilation. A natural stack effect induces air movement through the building when the clerestory windows are open. The building's energy management computer automatically opens these windows when cooling is needed. Ventilation air enters the building though open doors and manually operated windows on the north and west walls and above the south-facing Trombe wall. When natural ventilation is not enough, cool towers help bring the temperature down.
Water is pumped over pads located at the top of each tower.
This water evaporates, cooling the air. The energy management computer controls these openings and can direct cool air into the building or out onto the patio. The only energy required for the towers is a fractional horsepower pump that circulates water over the pads. No fans are needed. Energy-Efficient Landscaping Water from Utah's Virgin River is diverted into historic irrigation ditches located throughout the complex.