Project Overview

Modernized and repurposed Buildings D and E at Rogue Community College’s Redwood Campus to create new science labs, engineering spaces, and creative studios. The project included the renovation of the Deschutes Building (Building D) into a 6,246-square-foot art and technology instruction center and the construction of a new 17,200-square-foot Science Education Center to replace outdated labs in Building E. To support these facility upgrades and future campus expansion, the project also included a major electrical service expansion with a new 750 kVA, 15 kV–480 V transformer and upgraded main switchgear.

Role & Responsibilities

🔹 Electrical Design & Coordination – Designed power, lighting, fire alarm, and data systems for both buildings, ensuring high-efficiency lighting for labs, and flexible power provisions for scientific instrumentation.
🔹 Electrical Service Expansion – Engineered a 750 kVA, 15 kV–480 V transformer installation and coordinated upgrades to the campus’s medium-voltage distribution, ensuring long-term capacity for future growth.
🔹 Load Analysis & Power System Studies – Conducted detailed load calculations, short-circuit studies, and arc flash hazard assessments to ensure safe and code-compliant electrical system performance.
🔹 Construction Support & Commissioning – Reviewed submittals, assisted in planning cutovers to minimize campus downtime, performed site inspections.

Key Challenges & Solutions

🔹 Aging Infrastructure & Capacity Constraints – The campus’s electrical system was near capacity, limiting the ability to support modern labs.
✔ Solution: Performed a full campus power assessment and strategically located the new 750 kVA transformer to handle increased loads and future expansion without overloading the existing 12 kV service.
🔹 Minimizing Disruption During Construction – Electrical tie-ins and upgrades had to be executed while maintaining campus operations.
✔ Solution: Coordinated closely with RCC facilities staff to schedule high-impact work during breaks and weekends, using temporary power provisions where needed.
🔹 Modernizing Labs in Older Buildings – Retrofitting an existing structure for art and engineering programs required creative solutions for space and code compliance.
✔ Solution: Reconfigured interior layouts and provided new power systems for workshops and kilns.
🔹 Ensuring Electrical Safety & Compliance – New transformer and panel upgrades increased fault currents, requiring updated arc flash labels and updated breakers with higher kAIC ratings.
✔ Solution: Conducted detailed fault current and arc flash studies, specifying upgraded components and arc flash labeling requirements.

Outcome & Impact

✅ Expanded Learning Spaces – Delivered new high-tech science labs, engineering classrooms, and art studios to support STEM and creative programs.
✅ Increased Electrical Capacity – Upgraded the campus electrical backbone, ensuring reliability and future scalability for additional campus facilities.
✅ Improved Safety & Compliance – Modernized life-safety systems, upgraded lighting and controls, and increased electrical safety with increased breaker ratings.

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Planning a campus renovation or infrastructure upgrade? Let’s connect to discuss how NLS can help ensure your facilities are safe, efficient, and built to support evolving educational needs.

Rogue Community College – Buildings D & E Renovation & Electrical Upgrades

(Grants Pass, OR)