The Student Services Center at Contra Costa College provides a wide range of support services to the college’s diverse enrollment of approximately 8,000 students. The Center was envisioned to serve as a “one-stop” counseling, financial aid and career guidance resource and to provide a new gateway and heart for the campus. Designed by Interactive Resources, Inc., the Center features adaptive re-use of an existing facility and the design of an addition of a new facility.
The remodel brings a modern aesthetic and flexibility in design to the mid-century architecture of the campus. It incorporates many sustainable design measures, including: a cool roof to enhance energy efficiency and reduce heat island effect; heat island effect reduction landscaping with drought tolerant plants; clerestory windows to increase daylighting and ventilation; east to west building orientation for daylighting; sunshades and roll down shades for windows and deep overhangs at glazed entries, low-e insulated glazing; and PG&E Savings by Design program participation.