360 Engineering, a full-service mechanical engineering firm working on projects of all sizes in Colorado and across the U.S., has completed work on the Denver Public Schools’ Responsive Arts and Steam Academy (RASA). The new school, located in Green Valley Ranch, exceeds environmental and sustainability goals while providing energy modeling and highly efficient mechanical systems.
The project team was comprised of 360 Engineering, PK Electrical and others, and led by DLR Group.
The new school, located in Green Valley Ranch, is a ground-up, 123,600-square-foot school designed and built in two phases. Phase 1 opened in August 2024 for ECE through 5th grade, followed by Phase 2 in August 2025, expanding the school through 8th grade. From the start, the DPS students’ Climate Action Plan—which captured students’ vision and ideas for protecting the climate, defining sustainability goals and becoming environmental stewards—became the focus and foundation of the project team’s work, as did addressing a critical need for a new school in a rapidly growing Denver community.
The design team was challenged to create a highly energy-efficient building. The team compared installation costs, energy efficiency (measured as Energy Use Intensity, or EUI, a measure of energy use per square foot per year), maintenance needs, and long-term operating costs. They determined that Packaged Heat Pump Roof Top Units (RTUs)—including integrated energy recovery—with downstream Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes with electric zone heating was the best option.
The system incorporates air-side economizers and energy recovery wheels to improve performance further, taking advantage of Colorado’s dry climate. Smart controls also monitor CO₂ levels in each space, adjusting outdoor air intake to strike the right balance between energy savings — less outdoor air to heat or cool — and indoor air quality, ensuring efficient operation while keeping classrooms filled with fresh air to support active, engaged learning.
Designed with the future in mind, RASA is the district’s first all-electric school: heat pump technology powers the mechanical systems, domestic water heating is electric, and even the kitchen ranges and ovens are electric/induction type appliances.
Beyond the school’s energy efficiency, there are direct contributions to student learning. For example, the ductwork in various areas remains exposed so that students can see and question the mechanical systems that are right above their heads. This visualization could be the spark in a student that makes them want to pursue a career in engineering, or find ways to contribute to a safer, cleaner, more energy-efficient environment.
Thanks to the vision and goals of DPS students that were given a voice in the Climate Action Plan, RASA stands as a safe, energy-efficient learning environment, ready to support and inspire the next generation.
