SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Tucked into the Northern Bay Area hills, Terra Linda High School’s (TLHS) $27 million gymnasium has officially been recognized with the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) certification. The certification program provides a strategic framework schools can follow to deliver high-performance and modern building that improves health for students and staff members. ��

In determining certification, CHPS collects documentation from building and project leaders at the conclusion of the design and construction phases, detailing compliance with carefully monitored planning, design, execution and operational strategies, materials and products. Points are awarded based on alignment with CHPS criteria, which are then used to certify buildings for efficiency.��

Officially opened in 2023, TLHS’s gymnasium was developed by local design-build team comprised of Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and BHM Construction (BHM) in Napa, Calif. The team’s goal was to create an environmentally conscious hub on campus for athletic events and schoolwide assemblies that could also double as a community resource for emergency situations.��

“San Rafael City Schools has had a long-term commitment to CHPS, and this certification was identified as a requirement early in the project and part of the selection of the design-build team,” said Aaron Jobson, CEO and president of QKA. “It’s always great to follow through on our commitments and achieve certification of a project as well as for the [school] district and design-build team’s commitment to high-performance schools to be recognized.”��

Representatives from the San Rafael City School district (SRCS) as well as school faculty members collaborated with the design-build team to ensure the project met CHPS guidelines as well as student and educator needs. The solar-ready gym is the district’s first building to utilize reclaimed water from dual piping for sanitary facilities and irrigation. On the interior, low-flow plumbing, daylight-responsive lighting controls and highly efficient HVAC systems are powered by 60% renewable energy. Additionally, the facility is future-proofed with capabilities to eventually install a microgrid battery system.��

Outside areas were redeveloped to include new bike paths, sidewalks, safe crossings and bicycle racks to support safe, human-powered transportation to the site. These changes and additions were created in collaboration with the city of San Rafael and the design-build team, according to Jobson.��

“The strong partnerships forged between QKA, BHM and the district resulted in an outstanding new facility which will enhance the TLHS campus and school community,” said Steve Kwok, QKA principal emeritus, in a statement. “Our expertise in high-performance education buildings allowed the design-build team to center the district’s priorities around making the building a safe and efficient campus landmark.”��

The 22,000-square-foot, regulation-size gym and offers a seating capacity of 2,500, making it an ideal competition venue for basketball, volleyball and other on-campus athletic activities. Additional spaces include a complete weight and cardio conditioning room, team rooms, student physical training facilities and conference areas. The project’s ambitious design now allows TLHS to hold league sporting events for the first time in school history, including home tournaments, that will not only draw in revenue but also boost interdistrict morale.��

“This project successfully creates an improved new frontage environment for the TLHS campus as well as for the neighborhood with the addition of a new two-way bicycle pedestrian pathway and underground utilities,” said Jim Hogeboom, superintendent of SRCS, in a QKA statement. “In addition to providing comprehensive California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) regulation facilities to host athletic events, the new gymnasium will double as a much-anticipated community safety refuge in the event of emergency situations. With gratitude for the support that made Bond Measure B and this project possible, we hope to provide essential resources to our community at-large.”��

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HOLLISTER, Calif. — Gavilan College, a community college that serves 8,600 students in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties, has completed Phase I of its new $60 million Hollister Campus that prioritizes accessibility and success for the community. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last week with stakeholders, state officials and design team members to celebrate the progress. ��

With design-build led by San Jose, Calif.-based Blach Construction and architect partners Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and global design firm Gensler, the new 34,000-square-foot community college offers a brightly lit welcome center enhanced by a mural in the lobby that pays homage to the town’s indigenous history. ��

Classrooms, science and computer labs and an expansive community room fill the building, while a food pantry to offset food insecurity, a lactation room and gender-neutral restrooms offer supportive spaces for students. hybrid learning is honored through accessible and modern spaces featuring natural daylighting. ��

“It has been a rewarding and successful experience collaborating with Gavilan College and the project team to design this long-awaited new campus,” said Aaron Jobson, QKA president. “Responding to a new reality where the ways in which we learn vary, the adaptable spaces are complete with advanced technology so that the experience for students both in-person and online is seamless.”��

The design team was highly collaborative and remained on budget while overcoming hurdles such as market fluctuations and heightened material costs. The team also effectively managed potentially lengthy approvals from the Division of the State Architect regarding the project’s intricate roofline design and swiftly adapted to modifications in the campus’ audio-visual system to support advanced hybrid learning environments.��

“This project is a testament to the power of teamwork. The progressive design-build approach allowed us to not only adhere to Gavilan’s budget and expedited timeline but also ensure innovation and quality of construction,” said Brad Fannin, project executive with Blach Construction. “The new Hollister campus is going to have a huge impact on local students, while also serving the community of greater San Benito County.”��

The project, which was primarily funded by county-pass bonds from 2018, is set to open in January 2025 to kick off the college’s spring term. Once the school year begins, the school will bury a time capsule that will contain historical indigenous relics and present-day mementos. Additionally, a new bus route for the City of Hollister will also be added to accommodate the new student body, adding to the campus’ goal of increased accessibility.��

Caption for Featured Image: Gavilan College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new campus in Hollister, Calif. The project was completed in just over a year and will greatly expand higher education opportunities in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. Photo credit: Blach Construction

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