New Classroom Building is Largest Component of Multi-Phased Campus Conversion

New Space is 50 Percent Larger and Conveniently-Located for Clients and Employees

In a feature article penned for School Construction News, Mark Quattrocchi discusses the potential of outdoor classrooms as a pandemic-era solution by considering lessons from the past and presenting solutions for the present. He discusses common challenges for creating outdoor learning spaces and encourages decision-makers to think of the many ways these spaces can allow students and staff to meet in person again, safely. 

Check out Mark's article in the November/December issue, here.

We're pleased to announce the selection of four QKA projects by the North Bay Business Journal for its annual "Top Real Estate Project Awards.” Kudos to our dedicated teams who worked to bring the following projects to life: Davidson Middle School’s new STEM building, San Rafael; El Molino High School’s new performing arts center, Forestville; Laurel Dell Elementary School's campus modernization and replacement, San Rafael; and San Marin High School's new STEM center, Novato. We look forward to when each might be enjoyed by students, teachers and staff. 

Our local American Institute of Architects, Redwood Empire (AIARE) chapter awarded high honors to two QKA projects in its 2020 Design Awards program. Historic Alameda High School’s seismic retrofit and restoration, which has been widely recognized in industry award programs this year, received an Honor Award. Mariano Castro Elementary School’s replacement campus in Mountain View received a Committee on the Environment Honor Award for its sustainable design. Additionally, we are particularly pleased to report that some of our own QKAers were part of a team that received a Small Project Design Award for their remarkable Social Seesaw project, created for an AIARE design competition to develop interactive, public art. We are thrilled to be recognized for design excellence by Northern California's top design authority!

Half Moon Bay, Calif., Nov. 19, 2020 – When students and teachers are welcomed back to school premises, Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) will celebrate the opening of its new kindergarten triplex at Hatch Elementary School. The three buildings, totaling approximately 9,200 square feet of modern indoor and outdoor learning spaces, were delivered using Folia, a highly adaptable, efficient, prefabricated building solution.

After catching wind that Mark Quattrocchi was recently named ‘Philanthropist of the Year’ by international nonprofit A Chance in Life (ACIL), the Press Democrat published a profile on Mark's charitable nature and pursuits, including QKA’s donation of WiFi hotspots to rural school districts this year. We have always been grateful to have a culture of giving here at QKA that has been modeled from the top and hope to inspire other North Bay businesses that have been fortunate throughout this pandemic to make community investment a core value, especially during these hard times. Thank you for leading by example, Mark!

Santa Rosa, Calif., Nov. 9, 2020 - A Chance In Life (ACIL), an international nonprofit that provides shelter, education and food for youth within self-governed communities, has named Quattrocchi Kwok Architects’ (QKA) Founding Partner Mark Quattrocchi its Philanthropist of the Year. Quattrocchi was honored at ACIL’s 75th Anniversary Virtual Gala on Oct. 28.

Mark Quattrocchi recently "sat down" with The Registry's Vlad Bosanac to discuss the intersection of career and community on an episode of the building industry-focused podcast. Hear Mark's perspectives on architecture and education's unique relationship, pre-COVID school design trends that will support students' return to the classroom, and what it really means to exert positive change as business leaders in the community.

Alameda / Santa Rosa, Calif., Oct. 15, 2020 – Following the restoration and modernization of Historic Alameda High School (HAHS), Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and supporting project team has received a number of awards recognizing the design, historical restoration and functionality of the school’s renovation in the face of the many technical challenges it overcame. The awards include the following: