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 a...

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 ca...

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!

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!

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.

Alongside other local businesses, we were honored to receive the North Bay Business Journal's Community Philanthropy Award. We are grateful to be a part of a business community in the North Bay that reaches beyond itself to offer support in various channels and in varying capacities to create positive change.

QKA has again ranked on Engineering News-Record California's annual list of Top Design Firms. Standing at #52 of 89 firms statewide, QKA was also ranked as the #3 Education design firm, #18 strictly Architecture design firm and #22 Green Projects design firm.

QKA projects from around the North Bay Area have featured on two regional lists published by the North Bay Business Journal. San Marin High School's new STEM building and new performing arts building were included at #5 and #7 respectively on the Green Building Project list. On the Top Construction Projects list, Cardinal Newman High School's new classroom building was ranked at #10 and a new distillery at Sonoma County Distilling was included at #18.

We're a proud partner of COTS (Committee on the Shelterless) who continues to put forth innovative solutions to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families in our North Bay community. Recently, COTS showed its support for local business partners through a series of profile pieces and was gracious enough to cover our firm alongside many other wonderful local businesses.

We are thrilled to announce our director of practice, Debra McGuire, has received a 2020 Women in Business Award from the North Bay Business Journal. Debra has been an invaluable asset in pursuing our vision to pioneer innovative and sustainable design solutions for our district clients through her deep technical knowledge and mentorship. We couldn't think of a more deserving candidate for this honor. Congratulations Debra!