The Sunnyvale School District recently celebrated the completion of two new, two-story classroom buildings at Sunnyvale Middle School with a ribbon-cutting event for students, staff and community members. The new seventh and eighth-grade classroom wing is part of a larger modernization and new construction project on the campus, which was originally built in 1961. The buildings were designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA), in collaboration with LPA, Inc., and constructed by Blach Construction.
“I am grateful to our community for supporting our bond measures and making it possible to upgrade our school facilities. These improvements will directly enhance the learning experience for our students,” said Sunnyvale School District Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite. “I also want to thank our outstanding project team for staying on track with such an ambitious timeline. This allows us to make a meaningful difference for as many students as possible, as quickly as possible.”
Funded by Bond Measure GG, the 35,000 sq.ft. project adds 23 adaptable classrooms, five student breakout spaces, an art classroom, a dedicated teacher collaboration space, and a 23,000 sq.ft. landscaped outdoor courtyard to the campus. Prioritizing efficiency and quality, the district elected to utilize Folia, the proprietary prefabricated classroom building solution available exclusively through Blach, QKA and GPLA, Inc. Structural Engineers and Builders.
“Through close collaboration and innovative choices like our prefabricated Folia system, our team was able to deliver Sunnyvale Middle School’s new classroom buildings on an accelerated schedule and within budget,” said Amber Emery, project executive at Blach Construction. “This project brings enduring and high-performance facilities to the campus that will be enjoyed for many years to come.”
Aligning with Sunnyvale School District’s environmental and sustainability goals, the new classroom wing is on track to be Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)-Designed certified (CHPS is now part of the U.S. Green Building Council). Site design by LPA incorporates bioretention basins to capture and filter stormwater runoff, reducing pollutants before they enter the ecosystem. This process is highlighted throughout campus with educational signage. The building placement shelters the courtyard, creating a protected space for student learning and gathering, taking advantage of the sun’s seasonal path. Additionally, solar panels provide renewable energy for the new facilities, further supporting the district’s desire to reduce carbon footprint.
“We’re proud to have designed this project alongside our partners, bringing not only additional functionality to the campus, but also contributing to a positive learning atmosphere, ” said QKA President Aaron Jobson. “Achieving the CHPS-Designed certification ensures a healthy and sustainable environment for students and staff.”
“Collaboration was key to bringing the stakeholders and design teams together to meet programmatic goals to deliver a project ready for students to start the school year,” said Denise Flatley, senior project manager with LPA, Inc. “Locating the buildings to create a courtyard that connects to Spartan Square, leaving space for the future growth of the campus by utilizing two-story buildings, and emphasizing the need for interior and exterior learning space for the social and emotional growth of the students were our top priorities. The result is a student centric space we are excited to see students use daily.”
For more information about Sunnyvale School District Bond Program-funded projects, visithttps://www.sesd.org/about-usnew/bond-program.
About Sunnyvale School District
The Sunnyvale School District’s promise is that every student is known by name, strength and need, ready to excel in high school and beyond, and to lead a life of joy and purpose. The Sunnyvale School District operates a comprehensive preschool program, eight elementary schools, and two middle schools in the heart of the Santa Clara Valley. The district serves more than 5,700 students and has more than 800 employees. www.sesd.org
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 39-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 LPA, Inc.
At LPA, our mission is to create engaging environments that put 21st century skills at the center of learning and foster the next generation of innovators and achievers. With over 30+ years of K-12 experience, we think beyond the traditional classroom, designing flexible spaces that adapt to changing needs and support a wide range of learning behaviors and activities. Be it a Long Range Plan or individual project, our integrated design firm breaks down barriers between disciplines to deliver better project results. We bring together in-house experts in architecture, engineering, interior design, landscape architecture, research and master planning to collaborate with clients from start to finish. LPA has been recognized for National, State and Component design awards for 45 years in a row, in a variety of practice areas. Visit lpadesignstudiots.com to learn more.
Collaborative builders committed to quality, innovation and customer satisfaction since 1970.
