Net-Zero-Design Competition 2025

Thirty-six Mechanical Engineering and Construction Management students spent a recent weekend competing to design an updated HVAC system for a 40,000 square foot office building, including selecting mechanical equipment, budgeting for labor and materials, scheduling, planning the crane pick to place the equipment, and considering climate impacts. This was all part of the Net-Zero Design and Construction-A-Thon competition, an annual event sponsored by the Northern California Mechanical Contractors Association (NorCal MCA). The multi-disciplinary teams were comprised of students from freshman to senior level, and the fast past of the event ensured that everyone contributed their skills towards completing the final design.

After an opening mixer on Friday evening, student teams received their design challenge Saturday morning, worked all day to complete it, and then presented it to a panel of judges from industry on Sunday morning. It was a busy weekend filled with opportunities to network and learn about the industry in addition to completing the specific design challenge. More than a dozen industry representatives, many of whom are themselves Cal Poly alumni, attended to mentor student teams and evaluate the final presentations.

Congratulations to all of the participating students for completing this challenge! Each of the teams excelled in different areas of their analysis and design focus, such as schedule, budget, mechanical calculations, and design sustainability. At the end of reviewing the presentations and design packets, the judges awarded first place overall to the team comprised of Devin Chen (ME), Dylan Glass (CM), Samantha Kenney (CM), Chang Liu (ME), Malia Merager (ME), and Kenna Toohill (ME).