Quattrocchi Kwok Architects Earns Design and Planning Award for American Canyon High School

Quattrocchi Kwok Architects has been honored with the 2012 Leroy F. Greene Design and Planning "Award of Honor" from the Coalition of Adequate School Housing, in partnership with the American Institute of Architects, California Council.

Santa Rosa, CA (prHWY.com) March 26, 2012 - Contacts:
Melinda Hepp
Blattel Communications
415.397.4811
melinda@blattel.com

Amy Schaus
Quattrocchi Kwok Architects
707.576.0829
amys@qka.com

Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA), in conjunction with the Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD), received the 2012 Leroy F. Greene Design and Planning "Award of Honor" for American Canyon High School from the Coalition of Adequate School Housing (CASH), in partnership with the American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC). Recognized in the "New Built" category, American Canyon High School was developed to meet rigorous environmental sustainability goals and provide an innovative learning environment that supports the NVUSD's Educational Program of Small Learning Communities and Academies.

"American Canyon High School has been an extraordinary project for us and we are honored by this award," said Mark Quattrocchi, principal at QKA. "We credit the district for pushing the envelope and envisioning a school that would excite the community, enhance learning for its innovative curriculum and implement environmental features well beyond your typical new K-12 campus. The project truly sets a precedent for school design and sustainability standards."

"We could not be happier with QKA's planning and execution - and the final outcome - of American Canyon High School," said Don Evans, director of school planning and construction for NVUSD. "The campus embodies our ideals of a comprehensive learning environment and it is a showpiece for the City of American Canyon. Students and parents are embracing it, and the features we've put in place to conserve energy will result in future cost savings. We are very proud to receive CASH's Leroy F. Greene Design and Planning Award of Honor."

The purpose of the Leroy F. Greene annual awards program is to enhance the educational programs available to California public school students by recognizing exceptional architectural and program implementation in the design of public school facilities. Nominated projects are evaluated based on planning process, learning environment of the facility, design, community environment, physical environment, and the role of high performance/sustainability in the planning and design of the project.

When evaluating American Canyon High School, the jury panel declared the campus a "true 21st Century educational experience." They specifically praised the master plan and the linking of major classrooms, library, theater, gymnasium and other secondary buildings by a series of visually interesting curvilinear pathways, creating a cohesive environment that also highlights its distinct segments. The jury was also impressed with the project's commitment to sustainability and the incorporation of its geothermal and photovoltaic programs into the curriculum, adding hands-on value to the educational experience.

American Canyon High School features a library, administration building, 400-seat performing arts theater, 2,500-seat gymnasium and aquatic complex, four small learning communities, several specialized academy buildings and local community college classrooms. Sustainable design elements include a photovoltaic system, usage of recycled and renewable building materials, a ground loop geothermal system to minimize heating and cooling, and abundant daylight to reduce dependence on artificial lighting. It has achieved the highest score of a California school to date from the Collaborative for High Performance School (CHPS) verified program.

About Quattrocchi Kwok Architects
Santa Rosa-based Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) provides comprehensive master planning, design and construction administration services for Northern California K-12 and higher education, historic renovation and community facilities. With more than $1 billion in projects completed in the company's 25-year history, QKA's award-winning portfolio reflects a commitment to design that emphasizes environmental sustainability and community impact. Visit: www.qka.com

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