This fall, Blach Construction (Blach) and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) unveiled several projects across Fremont Union High School District’s (FUHSD) campuses and district facilities. Ranging from brand new buildings to significant classroom modernizations, these projects greatly enhance the district’s educational programs and technology capabilities.
“Our longstanding partnership with Fremont Union High School District reflects a shared commitment to delivering superior facilities,” said Blach Project Executive Amber Emery. “It was extremely gratifying to be involved in a breadth of projects that each serve specific and unique purposes, especially those designed to support student well-being and academic success. We are proud to have collaborated with innovative partners to make these projects a reality for the district, their employees and student body.”
Lynbrook High School – New Science Building
Blach and QKA employed their patented prefabricated building system, Folia, to deliver a completely custom new two-story Science Building at Lynbrook High School (LHS). Dedicated to the late Roy Rocklin, a retired scientist who taught science at LHS for ten years and then served on the FUHSD board for seven years, the adaptable and durable 12,000 sq.ft. facility features six science classrooms with lab spaces and two prep areas. Maximizing efficiency, the two prep areas are situated behind the classrooms and accessible by all. The project team utilized a brick exterior veneer for the building that seamlessly matches the aesthetics of the rest of the LHS campus.
Homestead High School – Classroom Modernization and New Library Quad
Initiated by the need for structural upgrades to two 14,000 sq.ft. classroom buildings at Homestead High School (HHS), work by Blach and QKA evolved into a comprehensive modernization and rebuilding of all classrooms, restrooms, office spaces and administrative break rooms in the facilities. Exterior modifications included adding windows to increase daylighting and employing a unique fiber mesh wrap around the second-story floor and roof concrete. Applied as a liquid which then hardens, the fiber mesh wrap provided additional structural strength to the building, increasing protection from a seismic event. The final aspect of the project included a new central quad area that not only connects multiple buildings, it provides space for students to gather and enjoy lunch.
New District Maintenance and Operations Building
Built by Blach and designed by QKA, FUHSD’s new Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Building replaces outdated, hangar-style buildings that were neither to code nor approved by the Division of State Architect (DSA). Consolidating all resources into one, nearly 18,000 sq.ft. building, the new facility encompasses warehouse and shop spaces, M&O and Information Technology (IT) offices, as well as a new district-wide Main Distribution Frame (MDF) server room, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to technology integration and educational infrastructure.
“It is always rewarding to work on behalf of a district and with like-minded project partners who are dedicated to transforming spaces that benefit students and staff alike,” said QKA President and CEO Aaron Jobson. “The buildings at Homestead and Lynbrook provide high performance learning environments for students, teachers and educational programs, and the maintenance and operations facility will help the district maintain those facilities for years to come.”
“As a district, we are committed to providing inspiring, state-of-the-art spaces where our students and staff can flourish. The recently-completed facilities that Blach and QKA delivered are just that,” said Graham Clark, FUHSD superintendent. “We appreciate the transparency and collaboration we had with this team throughout these various projects and thank them for helping us realize our vision.”
About Blach Construction
Founded in 1970, Blach Construction builds structures of enduring quality and value throughout California. The firm’s experience encompasses a broad cross section of education, housing, institutional, mixed-use and workplace building types, translating into a diverse portfolio that includes civic/community, healthcare, K-12 and higher education, hospitality, life sciences, professional services and technology facilities, as well as affordable, supportive and market-rate housing developments. With fluency in traditional and collaborative delivery methods – and true to their Silicon Valley roots – Blach continually incorporates advanced, innovative construction techniques, leveraging in-house prefabrication, self-perform and virtual design, and construction expertise to offer greater efficiencies to projects and increased value to clients.
The firm consistently wins awards across the construction industry and general business community for projects, innovation, employee engagement and community service. Quality and safety are at Blach’s core. As a result, the company is continually ranked as a “Top Contractor in California” by Engineering News-Record and has received multiple “Construction Safety Excellence Awards” from the Associated General Contractors of California. Additionally, and as a testament to its company culture, Blach has been recognized repeatedly since 2009 as a “Best Place to Work” in the Bay Area by the Silicon Valley Business Journal/San Francisco Business Times.
Blach is headquartered in San Jose with offices in Monterey and Southern California. To learn more, please visit blach.com and engage via LinkedIn.
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 Fremont Union High School District
The Fremont Union High School District, founded in 1923 and located in Silicon Valley, is highly regarded in California for its academic excellence. The District comprises five top-performing high schools, including Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook, and Monta Vista, all of which have received recognition for student achievements and various programs. In addition to academics, students are actively involved in diverse activities such as leadership, athletics, speech and debate, Future Business Leaders of America, and the arts. The District takes pride in its extensive diversity, with over 60 languages spoken among its students, fostering an inclusive environment and promoting learning from diverse experiences. The District also offers part-time programs through FUHSD Adult School at different community venues.
