The Edythe and Eli Broad Studios at California Institute of the Arts were created to provide workspaces for graduate students in painting and to reflect the open and personalized nature of Cal Arts’ unique educational environment.The non-hierarchical, village-like arrangement of the studios was an essential part of the concept. It attempted to reflect the loose, sometimes even anarchical approach that is central to this very progressive school of art. At the same time the use of a standardized studio module was seen as egalitarian as well as cost effective.The clerestory windows marking the roof of each workspace not only provide ample north light for each studio, they also attempt to express the uniqueness of the art studio as a building type. Their shape and spectrum of color were an attempt to reinforce the special role of these buildings as a new focal point for the campus.