japanese firm iida archiship studio has designed the ‘okinawa nursing training center’ to be highly responsive to its surrounding climate. the building serves as the head office for the ‘okinawa prefectural nursing association’ in japan and also as a place for medical professionals to learn various practical techniques. taking the site’s environmental conditions into consideration, the project developed four large reinforced concrete roofs that form a shaded space underneath called, the ‘lounge’. this open atrium seeks to invigorate occupants through naturally filtered daylight and levels of thermal control. the reflected sun rays enable the space to avoid illumination equipment, while the usage of stable ground heat and natural winds mean no air conditioning is needed. the ‘cool tube’ system features opening windows so that the environmental conditions function automatically, keeping the ‘lounge’ comfortable throughout the whole year