Each station is individually ventilated and enclosed by safety glass to allow students to look in all directions. A vent runs only when a hood is in use. Side hookups for water, gas, vacuum, nitrogen and computer maximize surface work space. To conserve water, the vacuum system replaces the water aspirators found in typical laboratories. Extra switches and specially designed blinds control lighting.
Sensors automatically dim fixtures near windows to ensure maximum use of sunlight.
Heat exchangers reclaim heated air and water that would normally be lost through the roof or drains. On the second and third floors, lab and classroom space are one in the same, allowing students and faculty to move freely from individual investigations to joint discussion of findings, and back. The information gathered by satellites through remote sensing provides the bedrock for what is known about the environment.