Austin ISD Padron Elementary School

This unique project is an adaptive reuse of a former industrial manufacturing facility in North Austin. The school includes 52 standard classrooms, seven specialty classrooms, cafeteria, kitchen, library, and administrative areas. High efficiency, variable speed chilled water HVAC units, low flow plumbing fixtures, and high efficiency LED lighting in select areas all contribute to the sustainable character of this building.

This building is equipped with an elevated, roof-mounted, grid-connected, 245 kW photovoltaic array. MEP Engineering, Inc. and Circular Energy partnered together on this project to develop an initial feasibility study for Austin ISD, allowing the district to identify an optimal PV solution for its renewable energy goals. MEP performed engineering design of the AC equipment and integration of the PV system to the building power distribution system. Additionally, MEP coordinated the technical service requirements with Austin Energy, the serving electric utility. Circular Energy developed the PV panel layout and panel specifications, and cooperatively designed the DC power design with MEP.

This project was designed to achieve a LEED Gold rating and has achieved a four-star Austin Energy Green Building Program rating.

Project Title:  Jaime D. Padron Elementary School

Project Location:  Austin, Texas

Owner:  Austin Independent School District

Project Size:  143,000 SF

Total Project Cost:  $20,724,000

MEP Role:  Subconsultant

Architect:  Architecture Plus & Heimsath Architects

Services Provided:  Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Engineering

Sustainability Goal:  Awarded LEED Gold