Best Places to Work 2014: Quattrocchi Kwok Architects

SANTA ROSA -- For the principals of Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, investment in the 50-person staff is money well spent.

This year, the education facility--focused firm started QKA R+D to develop the relationship between staff development and thought leadership.

"This new program will build the collective knowledge base and expertise of QKA and encourage employees to conduct research on relevant topics they are interested in," said Mark Quattrocchi, CEO.

That's part of the firm's in-house professional-development program that includes mentoring, seminars, computer-aided design training, and lunchtime reviews of products and minilectures.

The firm also covers part of dues for American Institute of Architects membership and pays for fees on the first try to pass architect registration examinations.

"We have great bosses who went the extra mile to keep this firm moving during the Great Recession, only to set us up for great success coming out of it," an employee said.

Because of that, billings are up, reaching $13.5 million last year. Named after Mr. Quattrochi and fellow principal architect Steve Kwok, the firm started in 1986 and is the North Bay's second-largest architectural firm this year.

In addition to a summer outing, which this year was a San Francisco Giants baseball game, staff put their creative energy to work off billable time in activities such as last year's first Peeps Diorama of creations around the springtime sweet treats and the annual The Sketchies drawings contest, both judged by clients.

The firm accommodates employees nursing children by providing a rocking chair, footrest and access to a telephone and those transitioning from maternity leave, with flexible hours. That understanding of family needs continues as the children grow up.

"There are fairly flexible schedules to allow employees to come early or leave late to help with childcare needs," an employee said.

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