California District to Build New Robotics Facility for Student Creativity and Collaboration
California's Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) recently announced that construction has begun on a new Robotics Facility on the campus of Cupertino High School. The 14,500-square-foot facility will serve students at high schools across the entire district, providing purpose-built spaces for student creativity and collaboration. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for the project’s design and Landmark Construction for construction, with Blach Construction as construction manager.
The new building will replace portable buildings and makeshift classrooms around the district, providing amenities like field space; spectator seating; and workshop, classroom, and teamwork areas, the news release reports. In terms of designing to the space's function, extra consideration was given to the building's mechanical and electrical infrastructure, technology, controlled daylighting, acoustic roof deck, wall panels, and security systems.
"We are thrilled to create a dedicated space for our award-winning Robotics Teams, who consistently demonstrate exceptional creativity and skill," said FUHSD Superintendent Graham Clark. "This new facility will ignite our Robotics Programs, fostering greater collaboration and further innovation. We want to thank the community and our project team for supporting this vision."
Other design aspects include high ceilings for work and experimentation with aerial drones, as well as Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)-protected floors to prevent the buildup of static electricity between electronics and robots. The facility's WiFi infrastructure was also set up to avoid interference with robotic control systems, according to the news release. Exterior features include rooftop solar panels, an entry plaza, and outdoor workspaces.
"Designing a facility with such unique requirements presented its own challenges, but the collaboration with current and recent students, adult mentors and coaches was invaluable to our design process," said QKA Principal Nick Stephenson. "Their firsthand insights directly shaped the project's outcome, helping us create a facility that will greatly benefit and enhance their program."
The building is scheduled to open to students at the beginning of the fall 2026 semester.
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Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].