The CSC is a four-wing facility linked by a central lobby hub. It was specifically designed to make use of the abundant California sunshine as a light source. North-facing walls have large windows, while southern faces have smaller windows with exterior and interior light shelves to facilitate daylight penetration.
All windows have vertical blinds so individuals can control glare.
Large, coffered skylights provide additional daylighting on the top floors. Workers use adjustable compact fluorescent task lights to boost light levels at their desks as needed. The dramatic three-story windowed lobby is a traffic hub between office wings. During the day sunlight filters in through a grove of native redwood trees growing in the central atrium. At dusk, metal halide uplights switch on, creating a visually appealing space with low ambient light levels.