The Media and Learning Center at De Anza College commemorated the opening of its doors to students and faculty for fall quarter 2012.  The project, which began on July 16, 2007, finished its construction over the summer of 2012 with the help of Measure C Bond Funds.  
The Media and Learning Center, more commonly known as the MLC, features a platinum rating based on the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System.
On Nov. 30, 2012, De Anza hosted a celebration of the opening of the MLC. The commemoration ended with a tour of the MLC, which pointed out in detail the environmentally conscious aspects of the building.
“It is a celebration of everything that is vital to this college,” said President Brian Murphy.  “The sustainably-built space gives students and instructors state-of-the-art technology and highlights De Anza College’s commitment to providing its students access to high quality educational services.”
When the building started construction in late 2007, the primary energy design goals were to create a building that was similar to the Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies  that maximized the use of environmental energies from its site.  After its completion, the MLC features rooftop photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, rooftop solar hot water panels, buoyancy driven ventilation, a raised floor for air distribution and flexibility, clerestory windows, natural sunlight, passive solar benefits, and water conservation.
According to associate principal of Ratcliff Architects, Mike Matson, the goal of environmental sustainability was central to the concept and design of its construction.  

“I want you all to know that you are sitting in perhaps what is known as one of the most cutting-edge green buildings on the planet today,” said Matson.  “It is not located on Stanford, MIT, or a UC; it is located here on the De Anza campus today.”
The speakers in attendance included U.S. Rep. Mike Honda, and De Anza College Student Trustee Vincent Mendoza, amongst many others.
Vincent Mendoza, De Anza Student Trustee, praised the MLC’s effect on the De Anza community.  

“For students, it really shows that De Anza and its leaders on the board really care about environmental sustainability.  It’s something we’re looking for in a building.  It’s something we can be proud of,” said Mendoza.  

Near the end of the information session, Murphy played a video that documented the responses of students who took classes in the MLC.  Many students said that they liked the availability of space and the lounge upstairs in the MLC.  “I really like the study lounge upstairs,” noted one student.  “It’s really quiet, it’s really comfortable, and there’s also a lot of vending machines.”

MLC interior shot (Michael Mannina/La Voz Weekly)