The Coast Community College District (CCCD), located in Orange County, California, comprises three community colleges that enroll more than 60,000 students per year in over 300 degree and certificate programs. Founded in 1947, the CCCD enjoys a reputation as one of the leading community college districts in the United States.

When the District began planning a new administrative building to replace the collection of portable classroom buildings that had served them for many years, they made sustainability a priority from the outset. The design team, led by Bundy-Finkel Architects (Santa Ana Heights, CA), helped the district articulate their sustainability goal by setting the target of earning a "Silver" rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction, version 2.2 rating system (LEED-NC- 2.2). In particular, the team was interested in making use of natural lighting to the greatest extent possible.