Santa Rosa, Calif., Sept. 18, 2023 – The highly-anticipated new Student Life Center at Cardinal Newman High School has been completed and opened to the Cardinal Newman community for the 2023-2024 school year. Designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA), architect and master planner for the school’s ongoing campus rebuild and improvement projects, and built by GMH Builders (GMH), the Student Life Center replaces and expands upon the library and media center lost to the 2017 Tubbs Fire.
“The Student Life Center is the central hub for student activity, enriched with tech- and collaboration-focused spaces to support learning and social connections,” said Cardinal Newman President Dr. Linda Norman. “We are grateful for the indomitable spirit of our school community, the generous support of our donors, and the invaluable guidance of our project partners as we mark this latest step forward in rebuilding what was lost and planning for the future.”
Designed with features resembling a modern college student union, the two-story, 23,800 sq. ft. building is home to a newly resourced Academic Library and high-tech Innovation Center that also includes a student lounge, cafeteria and commercial kitchen, faculty offices, conference rooms, study areas, digital media lab spaces, and a recording studio. As a place for students, as well as staff, to connect, the Student Life Center’s welcoming spaces are accessible to students before and after school hours. The building also offers flexible classrooms that expand specialized curricular offerings and a variety of seating to accommodate different uses and needs.
“We are honored to be a trusted partner since Cardinal Newman began efforts to reconstruct its campus and plan for its future nearly five years ago,” said QKA Principal John Dybczak. “Working closely with GMH and input from administration, faculty, students, and maintenance personnel, we designed the Student Life Center as the hub of campus. This next-generation facility furthers the school’s goal to provide supportive spaces beyond the classroom for students to study, socialize, refuel, and relax.”
The completion of the Student Life Center joins several other rebuilding projects already completed across the Cardinal Newman campus since the fire, including the North Classroom Building in 2019 and a new two-story classroom building in 2021.
About Cardinal Newman High School
Cardinal Newman is a Catholic, college preparatory high school. The mission is to educate students in the wholeness of mind, body, and soul through the teachings of Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the Catholic Church. Cardinal Newman students learn to apply leadership skills and talents in service to others. Each student is challenged to work to his or her highest potential in the lifelong pursuit of learning and excellence.
About Quattrocchi Kwok Architects
QKA provides comprehensive master planning and design services for K-12 and higher education, historic renovation, and community facilities in Northern California. With more than $2.5 billion in projects completed in its 37-year history, QKA’s award-winning portfolio reflects a commitment to design that emphasizes environmental sustainability and community impact. Building Design + Construction has recognized QKA as one of the nation’s top K-12 and BIM (building information modeling) architecture firms. Engineering News-Record has called it one of America’s top design firms. Majority employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), visit qka.com to learn more.
About GMH Builders
Based in Sonoma, GMH Builders provides technical construction management and general contracting services for health care, education, hospitality, winery, commercial, residential, and multi-family projects. Clients include Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Adventist Health, NorthBay Healthcare, Keysight Technologies, Dominus Estate, Bear Republic Brewery, and many more.
