QKArchiblog » Green Schools

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 Goes Solar!

Amy — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:08:39 +0000

SPG Solar and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) successfully installed a 1 megawatt DC ground and rooftop solar power system at Napa Valley Unified School District’s, American Canyon High School. This system will generate up to 80% of the campus’ electricity at full occupancy and provide a savings of up to $17,000,000 over the next 25 years.

“Through the great partnership with Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) and QKA, this system will provide long term financial savings and hands-on learning for the students about the positive impact of solar power,” said Chris Robine, CEO and President of SPG Solar.

The over 4,000 American-made solar panels, mounted on the school’s roof and on a fixed-tilt ground mount system, will produce over 1.1 million kilowatt hours annually, equivalent to providing power to over 105 average American homes annually.

American Canyon High School has been certified by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) – a green building rating system for K-12 school, similar to LEED for Schools. American Canyon High School is the highest ranking CHPS verified school in California.

“The new solar power system at American Canyon High School is an excellent example of NVUSD’s leadership. By building upon the sustainable design of their campus and showing their commitment to the environment the District will save a significant amount of money that can now be used for educational purposes,” said Aaron Jobson, Principal at Quattrocchi Kwok Architects.

At the ribbon cutting celebration Wednesday November 16th, Bill Orr, Executive Director of CHPS was on hand to present the CHPS verified plaque to Principal Mark Brewer and Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sweeney. In honor of this green building certification, Melissa Rodezno, an aide to Congressman Mike Thompson, presented the District with a Congressional Recognition certificate.

Solar Project Receives Gold Resolution

Amy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:43:11 +0000

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has commended the West Sonoma County Union High School District and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects for their innovative solar project by presenting the project with a Gold Resolution. The 843kW solar power system will provide 80% of the power needs of the District’s three schools: Analy, El Molino and Laguna High Schools. Project consists of 70% elevated solar arrays and 30% ground mounted arrays. The project will not only reduce the District’s carbon footprint and result in energy savings of over $250,000 per year, but will also take advantage of the California Solar Initiative, which will gain the District another $1,200,000 over the next five years. In addition the project provides an educational demonstration for the community and will guide solar curriculum for the District. Fifth District Supervisor Efren Carrillo presented the Gold Resolution at El Molino High School last month and will be speaking again at Analy High School’s ribbon cutting at 4 p.m., Wednesday, November 9th at Analy High School – 6950 Analy Ave. (north student parking lot/easy parking lot access from High School Road), Sebastopol. Join us!

State Superintendent at Aragon High School

Amy — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:12:10 +0000

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson announced the recommendations of his Schools of the Future Team at a ceremony to dedicate a 3.72-megawatt solar power system installed at QKA project; Aragon High School and the five other campuses in the San Mateo Union High School District. QKA’s work includes the design and installation of solar PVs at each of these campuses and Mark Quattrocchi was on hand to deliver a few remarks at the dedication this morning. Read the media coverage here.

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.

Lease-Leaseback Opens New Avenues for Schools

Amy — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:32:04 +0000

Hot off the North Bay Business Journal’s presses, here’s an informative article on Lease-Leaseback delivery method and QKA project Ross School.

Solar in San Mateo

Amy — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:12:43 +0000

QKA is working with San Mateo Union High School District to install photovoltaic (PV) systems at six of its high school campuses (Hillsdale High School featured above). The PV systems totalling 3.6 megawatts, will help the District lower it’s $1.1 million annual electricity bill.

This project was the cover story in Western Roofing magazine’s Nov./Dec.2010 issue. QKA Project Architect Nick Stephenson’s quote from the article says it best—”For QKA, it is gratifying to work on a project where the commitment to solar energy is the centerpiece.”

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!