The solar passive designs control the natural heating and cooling of the building.  The thick, rammed, limestone walls, concrete floors and insulated roof panels act as thermal banks, storing warmth in winter and coolness in the summer.  Solar air collectors provide extra heating in winter so that there is no need for energy to be used to boost room temperature.  Automatically controlled night ventilation and ceiling fans avoid the need for conventional air conditioning.

Natural light has been utilized throughout, to minimise the need for lights to be switched on during daytime.

Solar verandahs have been used across the north and northeast to let low angled winter sun penetrate and heat (as well as light) the building.