The Gap's team of designers joined forces with pioneering architects and engineers in the field of sustainable design. Together, this heady coalition of talent addressed the Gap's environmental goals down to the last nail and ventilation unit. Windows that open and a space-efficient ventilation system under the floor draw in plenty of fresh air, an increasingly scarce commodity in modern office buildings. The building's innovative roof, composed of native grasses and wildflowers, provides thermal and acoustic insulation while protecting the underlying structure from rain. 901 Cherry also optimizes natural light to illuminate the interior.
Thermal windows provide interior climate control.
The design of the building promises to reduce energy consumption, cut greenhouse-gas emissions and lower the Gap's utility bills. 901 Cherry even comes with sensors that turn off lights in an empty room. The environment isn't the only benefactor of the building's revolutionary design. With an open, natural work space, the Gap expects a happier and more productive corporate community. Computer-activated lamps gradually replace fading light in the early evening.