The assignment was to create “a great place to work,”
somewhere that is unique and attractive. In order to achieve this goal,
allphysical barriers were removed between the occupants
in a quest to establish a visual relationship
between them. Work in front of the computer was
combined with sparsity, cohabitation, contact with nature and fresh air.
We were asked that the building be a motivating
factor for team work and that it help possible new
business partners to decide who they wanted to work with
.These avant-garde business policies, along with
our own knowledge of sustainable architecture that is
adapted to the tropics (which has been our passion for the
last 25 years), were taken into consideration when we
designed the building.

Providing shade for buildings at this tropical latitude is an
architectural technique that keeps the facades cool by
reducing solar radiation. For this project, we kept the huge
ceder trees and placed the building under their shade. But we
weren't happy with just that, so the landscaper hung yellow
poppy flowers in pots from the facades and placed bamboo
along the edges to provide relief from the horizontal
heat of the afternoon sun.

The goal of the elements used with the facades is to
ward off the sun's rays from the glass, and keep
the rain away from the windows. The natural, faint, mixed ligh
t that tires the eyes from the glare and the slight interior partial lighting
is supplemented by individual lights and the glow of the computer
monitors that creates a pleasant atmosphere that saves
energy, which is very important. Saving energy is achieved
by keeping the building shaded and lifted off the ground to
provide a refreshing air flow that reduces humidity. In turn, the
climate control units are small in size and cost,
and their maintenance is minimal.

The BAT building was analyzed according to the
criteria of what is known as the “sick building syndrome,” and
satisfactorily passed the tests. Upon finishing the assessment,
the inspection team's chief doctor commented that “the air in
the building didn't smell new.” That is to say, the products
used were innocuous.

Social business responsibility was kept in mind,
and the consumption of the use of public potable water was
reduced by incorporating a deep well. The impact of rain water
draining onto the streets was diminished by building a large
retention tank that releases the water into the public water
system at a measured pace. A purification system was also
installed that reuses the treated water for watering the gardens.

These friendly buildings, which are increasingly
accepted and chosen by businesses and individuals,
are part of an environmentally sustainable and friendly architectural
trend. Furthermore, in the past few years, given the massive and
wide-spread deterioration of the planet and our renewable
energy resources, this type of architecture is
becoming more necessary.