QKArchiblog » Schools

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!

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.

First Verified Collaborative for High Performance (CHPS) School in California

Amy — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:03:49 +0000

Our Latest News—American Canyon High School is the first school in California verified by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)—the United States’ first green building rating program especially designed for K-12 schools. A dedication ceremony will be held June 18th with doors opening to students in August. Developed to serve the growing community of American Canyon, Napa Valley Unified School District’s state of the art high school campus is planned to accommodate over 2,000 students. Designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, this highly sustainable campus features extensive daylighting, a geothermal system to minimize heating and cooling energy, recycled materials and a one megawatt photovoltaic power system which when complete will generate over 80% of the campus’ electricity. ACHS will be formally recognized as CHPS Verified later this summer when construction is completed.

“For years, Napa Valley Unified School District has been active in establishing programs and obtaining equipment to save energy and lessen the carbon footprint of its operations. The construction of American Canyon High School brings the latest technologies and green operating features together, at one site. [By] incorporating green efforts into the learning environment of a high school rich with technological amenities from which students will participate and witness our changing world, is a very positive educational experience.” – Don Evans, Napa Valley Unified School District.

“Upon setting foot on the American Canyon High School campus, students and staff will immediately know their community’s commitment to them and to their school. ACHS has been designed to be a learning environment that is healthy and productive, as well as resource-efficient and community-oriented. It is truly a model high performance school. Napa Valley Unified showed an early commitment to ‘green’ by being the first to go through the CHPS Verified design review in California. We will be lucky to count such an impressive project among the list of CHPS Verified schools.” – Bill Orr, Executive Director, Collaborative for High Performance Schools.

Rave Review of Ross School

Amy — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:38:08 +0000

An article in the Marin Independent Journal this week featured Ross School District Superintendent Tammy Murphy. Ms. Murphy had the following comment regarding our work at Ross School:

“We are building one of the most magnificent schools I’ve ever walked into in my life, and I think it’s going to be great for the community,” she said.

Ms. Murphy is relocating to Santa Barbara and she will be greatly missed by all of us who’ve had the pleasure of working with her.

Marin IJ By Brent Ainsworth
Posted: 05/03/2010 04:57:23 PM PDT

Growing Greener Schools Documentary on PBS

Amy — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:30:02 +0000

April 4, 2010 – April 25, 2010
Growing Greener Schools is a PBS television event showing students, teachers, and parents how to incorporate green ideas into their physical school buildings and classroom curriculums, paving the way for a sustainable future. It airs at different times on PBS stations across the country.

KQED World, San Francisco, Sunday, April 18, 10pm; Monday, April 19, 4am; Thursday, April 22, 9am and noon; Saturday, April 24, 2pm

KCSM, San Francisco/San Mateo, Thursday, April 22, 9pm

KRCB, San Francisco/Rohnert Park, TBA

Sponsor: Media Policy Center and PBS

Solar Schoolhouse Forum – Powering Schools with Sunlight

Amy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:39:05 +0000

QKA is a proud sponsor of the Solar Schoolhouse Forum on March 26th at Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park. In addition, QKA Associate Aaron Jobson will be a guest speaker for a panel discussion. Join school board representatives, adminstrators, facilities personnel, curriculum specialists, and teaching staff as we explore the major opportunity solar electric systems provide. You’ll find tips and tools on how to reduce utility costs, write RFPs and contracts, pros and cons of financing models and how to leverage solar electric systems as teaching tools.

For information on how you can attend this informative event, please register online by March 10th.

American Canyon High School Ranked #1 Construction Project

Amy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:06:58 +0000

If you recently received a copy of the North Bay Business Journal’s Book of Lists, check out page 61–American Canyon High School is ranked by value as the #1 construction project in Sonoma, Napa, Marin and Solano counties. This progress shot was taken December 2009.

Happy Kids & Satisfied Teachers at Mendocino K-8

Amy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:21:55 +0000

The New Mendocino K–8 School:
A Community Dream Realized
Story by Margi Gomez
Contributing editor, Lisa Norman

Here’s a quote from the article the QKA marketing department thoroughly enjoyed: “I think that the new school has a great stage, kitchen, plants, playground, library and classrooms. I think the whole school is awesome. P.S.…It’s totally twenty-first century,” Sofia Seim asserts.

The new Mendocino K-8 campus will be featured on our website in early 2010.

Show Your Support for California Teachers! Wear Pink this Friday, 3/13

Amy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:07:56 +0000

On Friday thousands of California educators will receive layoff notices as schools districts are forced to make drastic cuts. Read more.