Pomona’s campus lacks contemporary architecture. Responding to this unique context and the desires of the Art Department, wHY’s design amplifies the long-standing campus pedestrian route and creates a cool, green and transparent space for the arts. With Southern California’s extreme sensitivity to water and power resources, Pomona College’s forward thinking toward environmental stewardship, combined with wHY’s technical expertise and experience, has created a project geared toward a high level of sustainability. Natural ventilation in every space combined with deep overhangs enables year-round use of shaded cool breezes. Extensive use of perimeter clearstory glazing throughout the facility and strategic placement of program elements enables the building to nearly eliminate the need for artificial lighting outside of evening hours. Concrete walls keep interior spaces cool during the day and radiate to warm the interior at night. Stormwater detention basins for water collection are implemented in the design without sacrificing studio spaces. The design outcome includes: LEED Gold, extensive daylighting, wide roof overhangs to shade building from summer sun, natural ventilation for most spaces year-round, photovoltaic power, light pavement and roofing color to reduce heat island effect, recycled materials (steel, high fly ash concrete, metal stud, acoustic panels, exterior aluminum panels, dens glass exterior sheeting, etc.), FSC certified wood, and high efficiency mechanical equipment. To maximize efficiency, the site, building and interior design integrate sustainable components for uninterrupted art making. It is a green, cool and transparent atmosphere for the arts and the cross-pollination of ideas at Pomona College.