Dome

View of the west elevation, detail; To cool this space, a process known as "phenomenon of adiabatic cooling," in which the increase in the humidity of a given space generates a substantial drop in air temperature, without a significant addition of energy. The firm of Ove Arup was brought in to design this evaporative cooling system. The inspiration was the misting cooling systems that bring down the temperature of outdoor cafes in warm climates. Ove Arup's evaporative cooling system brings outside air into the atrium just under the roof of the courthouse, then it moves across the space to the courthouse block. Here, air is sprayed with water from nozzles located along the sixth floor south corridor. For more see: http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0103courthouse-1.asp