QKArchiblog » Architecture

America’s Greenest High School

Amy — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:40:38 +0000

American Canyon High School - December 2011 aerial

Huffington Post contributer Carl Pope recently declared that American Canyon High School is America’s Greenest High School. A model of sustainbility, American Canyon High School is the highest scoring CHPS* verified school in California. Mr. Pope states; “In five years, my hope is that the American Canyon is no longer America’s greenest school — I hope it is simply one of hundreds, a very typical experience for American children.” At QKA we wholeheartedly agree!

*Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)

American Canyon High School featured in The Architect’s Newspaper

Amy — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:07:03 +0000

American Canyon High School, American Canyon, CA

“The kids may be out of the classroom for the summer, but school design is definitely in session. Lydia Lee studies how public and private schools are investing in ultra high-performance buildings that provide better learning environments and teach by example.”

American Canyon High School – A Case-Study and Tour in Sustainability, Community and Education

Amy — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:12:46 +0000

QKA’s Aaron Jobson will be leading a tour of American Canyon High School on Wednesday June 29, 2011 from 5:30-7:30pm. Here’s the info (scroll to bottom for sign-up link):

Join your local chapter of the US Green Building Council and the American Institute of Architects in celebrating the green design, engineering and community asset that is American Canyon High School.

This Napa County High School opened its doors in Fall of 2010 to welcome students and community to an ultra-sustainable and energy efficient campus. The campus achieved Gold certification in the US Green Building’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program.

The project boasts a 1MW photovoltaic station that provides about 85% of the electricity needed for the campus and a ground source heat pump that uses the earth’s temperature to help heat and cool buildings.

Did you know that the average school is 42 years old, and energy inefficiencies cost it approximately $100,000 a year? Come hear from Aaron Jobson of Santa Rosa’s Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and Costa Engineer’s Chris DelCore, plus others directly involved in this top project as they share how the building and design increased efficiencies, while creating a sense of community, supported career-driven education, and improved public access to amenities on the campus.

Raising Ross School

Amy — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:13:27 +0000

Ross School is one of the most unique projects in our firm’s 25 year history. We secured an unprecedented $1 million in FEMA funding to lift a portion of the school four feet out of the flood plain. As the final phase of our work at Ross continues, here is a visual preview of what we’ve recently completed.

Ross Gym’s Big Beam

Amy — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:44:19 +0000

Construction on the gym is well underway at Ross School. Recently an 85 foot beam that spans over the bleachers and supports five trusses that cross the gym was lifted by a 300 ton crane. The beam weighs 264lbs./linear foot and was 83.5′ long, 40″ deep. That’s roughly 11 tons!

Get Ready for Some Football (and Soccer!)

Amy — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:00:11 +0000

The new Napa Stadium is nearing completion. Click the image above for a closer glimpse at the renderings.

Eco-Structure Magazine Visits American Canyon High School

Amy — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:35:22 +0000

Recently Eco-Structure magazine interviewed Bill Orr, Executive Director of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS). The interview took place at American Canyon High School—the first Verified CHPS school in California. Read the article here.

Ross School Grand Opening

Amy — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:43:48 +0000

A wonderful grand opening of phase one of Ross School occurred on August 23rd. District Construction Manager Jim Walton and QKA Construction Manager Tenaya Dale (with adorable son Tyler) were on hand for last minute clean-up before the dedication ceremony. Former Superintendent Tammy Murphy returned from her new job in Southern California for the opening (see picture of Jim, Tenaya, Mark Quattrocchi and Tammy). Ribbon cutting was done by an incoming kindergartener and first grader with help from a Ross resident who graduated from Ross School in 1939! Truly a collaborative community event. Kudos to all involved.

Arch Daily Interviews Aaron Jobson

Amy — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:28:53 +0000

Check out this interivew featuring Aaron Jobson.

American Canyon High School Dedication

Amy — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:02:10 +0000

June, 2010
Over 1,000 people were in attendance! It was very moving to hear the speeches but best of all were the comments and awestruck looks from parents and students as they walked around the campus. Can’t wait to post final photography to our website in September and give everyone a closer look at this amazing campus.