Catholic school will replace student center destroyed in 2017 California wildfire

Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, Calif., has broken ground to replace campus facilities destroyed in a 2017 wildfire.

The two-story, 24,000-square-foot Student Life Center and Library, will replace the previous library and media center, the Catholic school says in a news release.

Much of the Cardinal Newman campus was destroyed in the 2017 Tubbs Fire, a wildfire that severely damaged parts of Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties in Northern California.

The new facility has been designed to mimic a modern college student union. It has an innovation lab, digital media lab, restrooms and support spaces.

It also provides spaces that were not part of the previous building: an indoor cafeteria and full-service kitchen, student lounge and conference and group study rooms.

Sustainable features include energy-efficient lighting and mechanical systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping, bioswales and operable windows.

Also part of the campus construction is a new chapel, which will be at the center of the campus.

The Student Life Center and Library is expected to complete in spring 2023. 

QKA is the architect.