This structure relies solely on itself and its immediate environment to supply food, energy, and water. By employing a combination of aquaponics and aeroponics, produce production can be achieved year-round.  Outside of routine check-ups, the system can be controlled completely remotely.  A nutrient solution for the plants will be produced largely by fish waste, which is then aeroponically delivered (misted on the roots) to bolster water conservation.

Community and culture are celebrated through the inclusion of a kitchen and museum.  An interactive experience is provided, allowing visitors to learn about local and regional geology, and about the history of Bolivia. The Aymara people are represented through a museum, and the Wiphala flag incorporated into the design of the building’s East façade.  When entering the building from the East, travelers are greeted with a globe that highlights the locations of all major salt flats on the planet, emphasizing the uniqueness of this environment.

The building also serves as a rest stop by providing four lodging pods to the north of the site.  Travelers who are booked to lodge overnight will have a chance to help operate the semi-automated vertical farm, and cook produce that they harvest on-site, clean, and bring into the kitchen.

Two regional precedents were inspiration for the use of andesite as a building material; Tiwanaku near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and Sacsayhuaman near Cusco in Peru.