The Exploratory Pathways for Innovative Careers (EPIC) Campus is the newest Career and Technical Education facility in Colorado’s Littleton Public Schools (LPS). The campus opened for the 2023-2024 school year to serve high school students from across the district, providing a unique approach to career-preparedness. Through partnerships with industry experts, the school offers seven “Pathways” for in-demand careers: Aerospace, Business and Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Construction Trades, and Natural Resources, Future Educator, and Health Sciences.

Formerly a car dealership and repair shop, the Campus is the result of an intensive adaptive re-use process to reinvent the site as an ecologically responsible community resource. Situated across the street from one of LPS’ high schools, the EPIC Campus creates a welcoming neighborhood for students and community members to enjoy year-round. As part of a robust community engagement process, LPS and the design team solicited input from students, parents, staff, industry professionals, and community members.

The adaptive re-use process speaks to the overall philosophy of the school – to provide innovative opportunities to imagine a more sustainable, accessible, and inclusive future. The AE Design electrical and lighting design team embraced this vision, prioritizing energy efficient, renewable-ready, and future-flexible systems throughout both east and west buildings and the connecting courtyard. Implementing the most up-to-date energy code, AE Design’s team coordinated the complex power needs of specialized equipment in laboratories and workshops, as well as unique features such as construction simulators and hydroponic farming systems.

Now serving over 900 students per year, the EPIC Campus has become a reference point for other districts seeking to create lasting industry partnerships and provide unique opportunities for students, whether they plan to continue their education, pursue a trade, or join the workforce. The hands-on experiences they gain at the EPIC Campus will prepare a new generation to join the ranks of engineers, designers, contractors, and a wide variety of other roles in our industry.

Client: Cuningham
Photo Credit: Dylan Chandler
Lighting Design, Electrical Engineering Design, Sustainable Systems