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

San Jose/Santa Rosa, Calif., Feb. 9, 2021 – Blach Construction (Blach) and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) recently broke ground on a new, two-story classroom building at Thornton Middle School...

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!

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 ou...

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 awar...

Cardinal Newman celebrated the groundbreaking of its largest campus improvement to date following the Tubbs Fire's devastation. Despite pandemic-related setbacks, a small group of administrators, bishops, and project team representatives gathered (safely!) to commemorate the groundbreaking of the learning complex which will boast 18 classrooms and two outdoor learning areas joined around a central courtyard. The momentous step for the Catholic prep school was covered by American School & University.

Santa Rosa, Calif., June 22, 2020 – Today Cardinal Newman High School broke ground on a new two-story classroom building, marking the Catholic preparatory school’s second and most significant campus addition following the severe damage caused by the Tubbs Fire in 2017. With nearly 24,000 sq.ft. of new construction,...

This past month, we have been truly fortunate to continue working on our education design projects – and all the while, we have been aware that our schools, educators and students need additional help with resources for distance learning. This is why in our overall pursuit to support districts through this pandemic, we set aside funding to donate crucial resources to local schools in dire need – Wi-Fi hotspots, Chromebook laptops, copy paper for at-home learning packets and funding for food relief to support those families struggling to put food on the table. Thank you to our local paper, the Press Democrat, as well as Bay Area broadcast station KRON 4, for covering our efforts. We hope that the coverage inspires others to affect bold change in their own communities.