Prior to construction of the new Student Services Center, students had to visit several different campus buildings to enroll in classes, purchase supplies, or inquire about financial aid. Often students would become frustrated while navigating the campus to locate their desired student services, as the campus buildings all looked similar and the service offices blended with classrooms. The resulting design centrally locates all student services including Student Services Administration, Admissions and Records, Bookstore, Career and Transfer Center, Disabled Students Programs and Services, Financial Aid, and more. The new center enhances delivery of services and lends a helping hand to all students so they feel at home on campus, thus lowering the school's dropout rate.

The design team focused on developing an architecture for the desert environment that is approachable and welcoming. The building’s entrance on the north façade is comprised of expansive glass panes, as north facades are least impacted by solar radiation. The team reduced the amount of glass on the remaining elevations in response to desert conditions. Additionally, the building was designed to pour light into the central public areas, accomplished by implementing an innovative battery of north-oriented light monitors above the central two-story circulation gallery. Bay windows are also used in the staff and administrative offices overlooking the campus to create synergy between the office staff and the students they serve.

In addition to the glazing strategies implemented, the building includes an array of other cost-effective sustainable features to achieve LEED Certification. These include rooftop solar panels, carpets made from recycled materials, low-water landscaping and careful siting to maximize energy efficiency. These features not only reduce the building's carbon footprint, but also cut energy costs for the client.

The design team created a way for students to intuitively find their way around the central circulation gallery. To do this, the team developed an innovative technique of incorporating wood paneling on the walls behind the reception area and on the ceiling to literally draw the students through the building. In addition, the team created a symbolic meaning on an academic building by shaping the entrance walls like the pages of a book. Entering the building becomes a metaphor for entering the realm of knowledge and immersing oneself in education.

Even with a limited budget, this project provided an innovative result for the client. One of the college's Foundation board members remarked that she could "not have dreamed that the college's little campus would one day house a world-class building." With sustainable features, cutting-edge materials, pioneering technologies, and logical siting, this project embodies the future of the built industry.