Entering the pavilion lobby from the peak, visitors are taken aback by the perfectly framed view of Mount Rosa, the summit that Zebulon Pike climbed on his 1806 expedition to survey the territory that had been recently acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The architecture of the pavilion highlights the relationship between the two landforms; the viewing angle from the top of the lobby steps to Mt. Rosa slopes down 3.5-degrees, with the same angle echoed by the roof’s upward slope.

Passive design strategies contribute to a 45% energy reduction over the previous facility, starting with the building’s southern orientation to take advantage of daylight. A highly insulated concrete shell and in-floor radiant heating, together with the thermal mass of reclaimed fill below the floor slabs and of the stone cladding, help to retain heat. These strategies equip the building for an extreme climate where temperatures can drop to negative 40 degrees. Additional strategies include a vacuum system for toilets and blackwater to greywater conversion saving 350,000 gallons yearly; building zones that vary in temperature; biophilic principles; and building materials that are free of toxic red-list chemicals and materials. New site pathways help control foot traffic and protect the newly restored delicate tundra vegetation while frit-patterned curtain wall glazing minimizes strikes from migratory birds. Should rainwater harvesting receive state approval in the future, a rainwater collection-ready design is in place.