A method of implementing a cloud computing network includes defining, for a cloud computing network including tangible network storage elements and tangible network computing elements, a library of network connectivity building blocks for designing a virtual private cloud computing network within the cloud computing network. Each building block has user-definable attributes and each building block is translatable into a set of network element configuration statements that instantiate an action particular to the building block. Usage rules specifying how the building blocks can be used are defined for the cloud computing network. Dynamically-selected building blocks from the library are accepted and assembled into a configuration template. The configuration template is validated against the usage rules. The virtual private cloud computing network is implemented in accordance with the validated configuration template.