The newspaper office interiors, designed by Gensler, include an unusual feature: They are interconnected by open stairs at the periphery (right), which encourages easy communication between floors—no more running up and down dismal fire stairs. Eleven-foot ceilings are a less obvious innovation. So is the lighting system, which automatically adjusts to complement the varying levels of natural light in different parts of the room. Another energy-conserving feature: conditioned air is distributed through the floor. Since air does not have to travel as far as if it were blown down from the ceiling (as in most office buildings), it can be less cold—and under less pressure—which not only saves energy but is also more comfortable.