Our innovative client Napa Valley Unified School District was one of the first local districts to purchase a hybrid bus. Under the direction of Transportation Director Ralph Knight, the District continues to expand its green fleet and is planning on purchasing an all-electric bus. Featured in School Bus Fleet magazine, Knight says; ” the incorporation of alternatively fueled vehicles has saved the district millions of dollars.” To read more, check out the article that features a new hybrid bus in front of QKA project Napa Education Center here.

This summer will mark my fifth year with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects. As a firm of 50, we’re a close knit group so it never ceases to amaze me when I discover something NEW about a fellow QKA’er! Just recently I was talking to Shawn in our Construction Administration department. His typical day is spent in the field working with contractors. These can be long days since QKA’s projects are spread throughout the North Bay.

To my surprise, Art is his medium for creative self-expression and stress relief. He enjoys painting and creating mixed media pieces. And now with iPad in hand, he’s creating remarkable pieces like the eagle above using a painting application–an inspiring example of blending technology & creativity.

Today my fellow QKA’ers and I got together at lunch to create our own Valentine cards. Using items found in the office (with a few extras from our friends at Corrick’s), we assembled a variety of cards for the special people in our lives. Although we didn’t have paste or glitter, we had fun being creative together.

The Cupertino High School project combines three programmatic elements of the school into one building: the Administration & Guidance Student Services; the school Library and the Food Service and Café area. The Student Union will be a central gathering place that will be used by the whole school population along the lines of a junior college student union, rather than a standard high school with its separated uses. Open to students all day and used by the community during nights and summers, flexibility is a central programmatic theme.

The building embraces the informal, collaborative and technology based learning that is the core of Silicon Valley culture, creates a collegiate atomosphere and will be the social & academic hub for the school.

American Canyon High School - December 2011 aerial

*Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)

With pencil in hand, Lyanne leads discussion at WildCare

Architect Lyanne Schuster was recently honored for her volunteer work at wildlife rescue organization WildCare. Based in San Rafael, WildCare helps care for injured and orphaned wildlife and supports nature education programs that show people how to live well with wildlife so wildlife can live well with us. A volunteer since 2004, Lyanne donates her Sunday mornings to WildCare and is deeply committed to animals and wildlife. When an opportunity arose for WildCare to consider a facility expansion Lyanne asked QKA to consider supporting the process through a pro bono effort. Working with Mark Quattrocchi, Lyanne assisted in the creation of a Programming document that will help guide Wildcare’s planning for the new facility.

“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.