Project Profile: Education First Academy Pasadena
This entailed substantial gut and renovation of some buildings while also blending in new construction, which required detailed analysis and upgrading of their campus utility infrastructure.
Engineering firm: P2S Inc.
2023 MEP Giants rank: 34
Project: Education First Academy Pasadena
Location: Pasadena, CA, United States
Building type: Educational facility
Project type: Addition to existing building
Engineering services: Electrical, power; HVAC, mechanical; plumbing, piping; AV, IT, security upgrades
Project timeline: May 2018 to December 2022
MEP/FP engineering budget: $1,754,720

Residential facilities and pathway at Education First Academy’s Pasadena Campus. Source: Josh Jewell, P2S Production Artist
Challenges
This project faced numerous challenges including adaptive re-use of a ~15-acre community college campus into a world-class private academy with a mix of on-site boarding and local commuter students from nearby host families for international students. This entailed substantial gut and renovation of some buildings while also blending in new construction, which required detailed analysis and upgrading of their campus utility infrastructure.

The Cedar House building at Education First Academy’s Pasadena Campus. Source: Josh Jewell, P2S Production Artist
Solutions
P2S provided MEPT engineering services for the establishment of Education First Academy’s Pasadena Campus. The project goal was to develop a highly-functional campus that supports the Academy’s diverse range of academic programs offered while being good neighbors to the surrounding community.
This $90 million project includes a mix of both renovated and new construction facilities on the 16-acre property that was formerly the site of William Carey International University. Expanded from 227,000 SF to 320,000 SF, the renovation included five demolished buildings and 4 renovated buildings. The project also includes a new 130,000 SF dormitory complex that encompasses four buildings and 230 units. Additional upgrades include a new interior recreation space, an auditorium and a student art gallery.

The Boxelder House building at Education First Academy’s Pasadena Campus. Source: Josh Jewell, P2S Production Artist
The Academy’s mission is to “open the world through education,” and the Pasadena Campus is the Swiss company’s first campus in the Los Angeles Area. It is now the largest boarding school in Los Angeles County and the first to open in nearly 100 years. As an international high school, it welcomes around 1,000 students from over 60 nationalities between grades 9 – 12 and around 150 staff members.
To harmonize a large campus consisting of renovated and new construction facilities required detailed analysis and highly flexible solutions. P2S provided various MEPT solutions for this project while staying within budget, including new MEPT systems, AV/IT/Security upgrades and electrical infrastructure upgrades. Additional solutions include roofing, windows, and ADA upgrades.

Campus Store and residential facilities at Education First Academy’s Pasadena Campus. Source: Josh Jewell, P2S Production Artist
Renovated infrastructure includes:
-
McGavran Hall
-
Aylward Hall – 4 buildings
-
Pierce Cafeteria
-
LaTourette Library
-
Mott Auditorium
-
Campus Site Utilities
-
Off-site Soccer Field
Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.