Ashes are also used to cover the Roof and exterior areas, blending nature and construction in a natural symbiosis
During daytime, the long walls outline the building and blend with the road, suggesting the existence of spaces through an interplay of shadows. At night, bright light is avoided as a means to protect native birds.
To address the in-existence of any previous public utility infrastructure, the building was thought of as a self-sufficient unit.Photovoltaic roof panels absorb sunlight which is then stored in batteries providing necessary power resources for the building. In order to save energy, all ventilation systems are passive. Facade integrated grid systems allows the control of internal temperatures, taking advantage of the building´s thermal inertia, witch enables heat accumulation during daytime and natural ventilation during the night.
Water supply was also a challenge. Rain water is received and directed along the top of the building to a storage tank, from which it can be used both as irrigation and domestic water. Grey waters are recollected, recycled and pumped back into the system.
The building is divided into two main areas: Cultural, composed of a auditorium, an open-air theatre, library and terrace-caffè. Administrative, which comprises meeting rooms, offices, laboratory and technical areas.A succession of sloped terrain compose the out-of-door areas, extending from the roof top, to the main patios of the building, where representative plant species of the natural park, are planted, merging it with the surroundings.
In November of 2014, 7 months after the inauguration venue, the PNH Headquarters was destroyed due to the Volcano eruption.
