Climate sensitive design features of the building include:

• Orientation of the building to the north, with the long axis of the building predominantly in an east-west direction.  This configuration shades the interior of the building from direct, high-angle sun in summer, reducing the need for active cooling.  This is achieved through the location of suitably designed eaves, window positioning and use of solar pergolas that block penetration of summer sun but admit winter sunlight to provide natural lighting and heating. 
• Thick limestone walls and earth berms provide high thermal mass - insulation - for the building.  This limits the heat transferred into the rooms during summer and out of them during winter.
• Roof insulation is used to lower heat flow through the roof.
• Extractor fans are used to remove hot air from the building during the summer months.
• Ceiling fans can be used to circulate air in summer or be adjusted to move warm air downward in winter.
• Clear glass is used on the northern side of the building to allow winter sun into the rooms but glass on the southern side is thermally glazed to prevent heat loss.