Architect Jim Collins talks about the unique sustainable aspects of Gary Comer Geochemistry Building that has been recognized as a 70,000 GSF LEED Silver geochemistry building, and a key addition to Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory campus, located on the Palisades bluffs north of Manhattan. Its researchers seek fundamental knowledge about the origin, evolution and future of the natural world, and much of the group’s work is at the forefront of climate change science. The program called for highly specialized and unique performance requirements that introduced significant challenges for developing a sustainable design.