The EPA's vision for their new Region 7 headquarters, which is housed in a building originally designed by BNIM, was that the facility be innovative in concept and excellent in design. This required the building design to embody image and aesthetics; accommodate needs for flexibility, accessibility, and universality; and incorporate state-of-the-art technology and design solutions that foster communication, interaction, productivity, and sustainable design.

In addition to office areas, the program included conference and training rooms, a business center/computer server room, regional emergency response center, central record storage (meeting stringent National Archive and Records Administration standards), dining and food service, a fitness center, mail center, copy and break rooms.

The design incorporated sustainable and high performance strategies throughout the building and site. Registered with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, the project received both a LEED Gold certification for New Construction and LEED Platinum certification for Existing Building Operations and Maintenance.

The new headquarters takes advantage of the existing building's design, responding to climatic conditions, natural daylight, views and highly efficient enclosure. Exterior courtyards extend the uses in each atrium to the outside. Runnels and rain gardens direct the flow of storm water from the roofs through each courtyard.

The open workplace design encourages interaction, and furniture selections emphasize EPA's department functions. BNIM developed furniture workstation designs and moveable wall systems to meet EPA's functional needs, while incorporating as many existing components from the inventory as possible. Spaces for meetings – both open and enclosed - are located throughout to promote team collaboration and small enclaves give all associates a place to have private conversations or conduct concentrative work.