Timmons Design Engineers Inc (TDE) was commissioned to provide mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design services for the expansion of Poway Community Campus, at Poway, California. The Campus consists of a quad of small buildings comprising of an Art Center, a Train Depot, a Market Hall and a Restaurant. The buildings are located in close proximity to each other and within a campus environment serving the Poway community. The goal identified by TDE was to provide an energy efficient and sustainable design while working within a defined construction budget.

TDE’s design focused on natural and forced ventilation for the building, implementing natural draft via the perimeter operable windows and filtered louvers. Fans assist in nighttime purge, further reducing the cooling load by using the thermal mass of the structure as a cooling device. Passive radiant systems comprising of radiant floors and ceilings, providing both heating and cooling, were implemented in high traffic areas such as the market hall, main lobby and galleries as well as the classroom areas.

Where deemed suitable, ACU’s were utilized and located in less sensitive areas to ensure the aesthetic nature of the buildings was maintained. External shading devices and internal light shelves at the south and west exposures of the building were used to minimize façade loads and maximize natural day lighting.

Architect: Mark Cavagnero & Associates