The temperature of the building is self-regulating. Solar panels collect light and sense how intense it is to tell the barnacle apertures how big to open. The warmer the day, the smaller the openings. The concrete walls collect heat during the day and slowly release it at night, maintaining a comfortable environment even as the outside temperature drops.

Vents on the side of the barnalces pull cool air down into the structure, while hot air is pushed up and out of the of the aperture openings.