The landscape design was informed by the need to optimise winter light levels within the conservatory in order to increase the growth potential of the plants. Research identified that water surfaces can be used to reflect winter sunlight onto an adjacent surface or into an adjacent volume due to the shallow incident angle of the sun.

During the summer months when the angle of the sun is much higher the same water surface absorbs the incoming light thereby avoiding solar gain. The principal component of the landscape was therefore a reflecting pond. This feature not only increased light levels but also acted to guide people into the building and provided the perfect setting to the building.

The building emerges from and fuses with the landscape, the bowl roof being supported on earth embankments formed by excavation to achieve the bowl. Internally the rainforest is based on Costa Rican vegetation while the external areas focus on Chilean Steppe plantings.