Modern Facilities That Move Higher Education | P2S
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Energy-Efficient Facilities That
Move Higher Education Forward

Campus-Wide Energy Solutions, Tailored to You

P2S specializes in designing energy-efficient solutions that help colleges and universities reduce operating costs, meet climate goals, and modernize aging infrastructure. From net-zero-ready buildings to smart campus-wide systems, our engineers work closely with facilities teams to deliver tailored strategies that improve performance while supporting long-term sustainability across every corner of campus.

Sustainable Design That Fits Every Campus

When it comes to energy efficiency in educational buildings, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. In this video, Wes McKean, Associate Principal and Education Group Manager at P2S, shares how our team tailors sustainable systems to meet the unique climate, size, and infrastructure needs of each campus. From natural ventilation to PV and battery storage, P2S helps institutions balance innovation with practicality—delivering solutions that work for both facilities staff and long-term campus goals.

Engineering the Path to
Net Zero at Saddleback College

Saddleback College is taking decisive steps toward achieving campus-wide Net Zero emissions—and P2S is proud to play a key role in supporting this transformation.

Guided by the college’s Facilities Master Plan, which prioritizes greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and long-term energy resilience, P2S is currently designing a fully electric Central Plant that will replace aging cogeneration equipment and transition the campus to clean, high-efficiency systems for heating and cooling.

Complementary efforts include 12kV electrical infrastructure upgrades and a multi-phase solar canopy and battery storage project that will significantly reduce grid dependency and operational emissions. From high-efficiency lighting and PV system design to targeted HVAC building upgrades, and the development of a new Career Technical Education (CTE) facility at the ATEP campus, each project contributes to Saddleback’s overarching goal: building a smarter, more sustainable campus that leads by example.

The Energy Roadmap

P2S engineers are called on to develop a roadmap for new buildings as well as building retrofits to achieve desired energy and carbon targets. Early stage energy modeling and analysis, developed with a holistic approach, results in a customized plan with itemized strategies and technologies while designing for flexibility and achieving efficiency targets.

The UC Riverside Student Success Center is a perfect example. This LEED Gold-certified facility has won numerous sustainability awards and exceeded the Owner’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target through an integrated design process.

  • All-Electric Building: Local heat recovery chiller cuts carbon emissions by 79% vs. campus steam system.
  • Energy Use: Designed to an EUI of 34 kBtu/sf-yr, over 60% lower than an EPA baseline, comparison building (88 kBtu/sf-yr).
  • Local Heating Plant: 600% efficient in heat recovery mode, delivering chilled and hot water vs. 65% efficiency campus steam system.
  • Energy Reductions Measures: Heat recovery chiller saves 7 EUI points, indirect evaporative cooling saves 4 EUI points.
  • 40% reduction in water use and 20% reduction in energy use compared to a baseline building
  • Enhanced Indoor Air Quality: Increased outside air, 20% above ASHRAE Standard 62.1 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
79%

Carbon Reduction

60%

Lower Energy Use

600%

Efficient Heating Plant

7

Points EUI Reductions

40%

Water Reduction

20%

Energy Reduction

20%

Above Standard

Campus Projects

In the education market, P2S has designed sustainable buildings, central utility plants, and developed campus master plans in a wide variety of facility types and locales.

Learn more about our wide range of energy-efficient projects!

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P2Podcast:
Student-Centric Design

A previously released P2Podcast with Scott Newman is worth a listen. This enlightening conversation explores the groundbreaking innovations brought to life in the Language Arts Complex at Golden West College in Huntington Beach.

The project focused on harnessing natural light, enhancing energy efficiency, and prioritizing the student experience.

Join us in this enlightening conversation with Scott Newman as we explore the groundbreaking innovations brought to life in the Language Arts Complex (LAC) at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California. Discover how the project's focus on harnessing natural light, enhancing energy efficiency, and prioritizing the student experience has transformed education for the better.
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Mt San Antonio College, Technology & Health Building

P2S provided MEPT and Fire Protection engineering for Mt. SAC’s new 4-story Technology and Health building—the largest instructional facility at a California community college. Designed to exceed Title 24 energy code by 15% and meet LEED Silver equivalent standards, the project integrates high-efficiency systems, energy-saving technologies, and smart infrastructure. Sustainable features include advanced HVAC and lighting, low-impact demolition, and future-ready IT and AV systems supporting long-term energy and operational performance.

Golden West College, Language Arts Complex

P2S provided full MEPT engineering for the new Language Arts Complex—a 70,000+ SF facility designed to achieve Zero Net Energy. Replacing outdated buildings, the project features daylighting, operable windows, and native landscaping to enhance efficiency and occupant well-being. P2S integrated sustainable systems and flexible learning technologies like HyFlex classrooms to support long-term performance. Our coordinated approach ensured energy-smart design, low-impact construction, and a resilient academic environment aligned with California’s higher education sustainability goals.

Long Beach Community College, Integrated Zero Net Energy Master Plan

P2S provided an Energy Master Plan for both the Liberal Arts and Pacific Coast campuses to determine current energy use, future energy use, energy efficient projects completed to date, and the path and cost benefits of zero net energy. Elements included: GHG Emissions, Zero Net Energy, On-Site Renewables, Water Use, Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, Financing, Delivery, EV Charging Stations, Monitoring and Reporting. Energy reduction measures along with the savings from operations costs were estimated to be approx. $1.8 million annually.

Southwestern College, Landscape Nursery Technology Center

P2S delivered full MEPT and Fire Protection design services for Southwestern College’s all-electric Landscape Nursery Technology Center—an innovative, multi-building facility aligned with the Living Building Challenge. Net zero energy strategies include a rooftop photovoltaic system and advanced lighting and building systems that support long-term sustainability. Designed to power experiential learning in landscape and nursery technology, the facility integrates flexible indoor-outdoor spaces with high-efficiency systems that showcase Southwestern College’s leadership in sustainable, future-focused education.

Palomar College, Athletic Complex

P2S is providing MEPT design for Palomar College’s Net Zero Ready Athletic Complex, targeting an EUI of 30. Sustainable systems include heat recovery chillers, radiant heating and cooling, indirect evaporative cooling, and dedicated outside air systems. Energy modeling and Title 24 compliance support carbon neutrality goals. The project transforms a brownfield site into a high-performance, health-focused facility featuring a football stadium, softball field, and pool—advancing campus sustainability and community wellness.

Shoreline College, STEAM Building

P2S provided MEP design for Shoreline Community College’s new 42,000 SF STE(A)M Education Center—an all-electric, energy-efficient facility supporting Washington State’s environmental goals. Serving music, math, and nursing programs, the 3-story building incorporates chilled beam systems, air-source heat pumps, and dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) to maximize energy performance. Designed to reduce operational carbon and enhance indoor environmental quality, the center sets a new standard for sustainable academic facilities in the Pacific Northwest.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Center for Design

P2S provided mechanical and plumbing design for Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s 50,000 SF Center for Design in the Pacific Northwest, which targeted LEED Silver certification. Sustainability strategies included displacement ventilation in classrooms, heat pump domestic water systems, and a High Performance Variable Air Volume (HPVAV) HVAC system with demand-controlled ventilation. An energy lifecycle cost analysis guided efficient system selections, supporting long-term operational savings. These integrated solutions enhanced indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility throughout the academic facility.

Seattle Central College, Pacific Tower Office Modifications

P2S provided mechanical and plumbing engineering for the renovation of Seattle’s historic Pacific Tower, transforming the 1933 facility into an energy-efficient hub for Seattle Central College’s Allied Health program and 13 nonprofit tenants. As the first project to use Seattle’s alternate energy code path for existing buildings, the renovation balanced preservation with performance. Energy modeling guided upgrades that reduced consumption beyond code, and post-occupancy data confirmed the building exceeded its energy target by over 10%.