Sony Pictures Studio opted to emphasize "green" building practices in its new South Astaire Building. This three-story combination office building and movie/television set serves as an expansion to Sony's main studio. A large central skylight spills natural light into the building's open central court.

The design team utilized a "task/ambient" lighting strategy to reduce overall energy consumption. While ambient lighting accounts for about 70 percent of the total lighting in the building, individually controlled task lighting fixtures provide complementary light directly on desks and displays. This strategy usually provides sufficient illumination while using about one-third less power than a standard recessed troffer system.

When lighting in the studio building meets target levels, photosensors dim the lights in all offices and areas adjacent to the central "light court." Along with daylighting controls, the building features occupancy sensors in all the offices so lights are turned off automatically in unoccupied spaces.