Existing Buildings

Ethos helps owners and design teams improve existing buildings through practical, coordinated MEP engineering—whether you’re addressing comfort complaints, planning equipment replacements, improving reliability, or preparing for capital upgrades. We start by understanding how the building is used, what’s working (and what isn’t), and what success looks like for the owner and occupants. From there, we develop a clear, buildable plan that fits your building—without systems becoming the focal point.

• Mechanical
  Comfort and ventilation solutions, retrofit concepts, and upgrade planning that integrate cleanly with the architecture and real operations.

• Electrical
  Practical power and lighting solutions that support current needs, future flexibility, and clean coordination across disciplines.

• Plumbing
  Reliable, efficient plumbing systems and upgrade strategies coordinated with fixtures, equipment, and the building layout.

• Energy Modeling + Existing Building Analysis
  When a project calls for it, we also provide building-performance support beyond traditional MEP design—EUI baselining and benchmarking, ASHRAE Level I/II/III energy audits, and targeted energy analysis to help prioritize upgrades. This approach helps owners understand which MEP improvements drive meaningful energy reduction and which ones create a clearer pathway to ROI—so decisions are made with confidence, not guesswork.

 

New Buildings

For new construction, Ethos delivers coordinated MEP design that supports the architecture, stays buildable, and aligns with performance goals. We collaborate early to prevent clashes and protect design intent—making sure mechanical rooms, shafts, ceiling zones, electrical rooms, and plumbing routes are accounted for from the beginning.

• Mechanical
  High-performance comfort and ventilation strategies sized for the building and the people using it.

• Electrical
  Power and lighting designs that are ready for today and flexible for what’s next—planned around real operations and coordinated across disciplines.

• Plumbing
  Efficient, durable plumbing systems that support the occupant experience and integrate seamlessly with the building design.

• Energy Modeling + Performance Targets
  When desired, we support projects with performance-based energy modeling to pursue energy targets without relying only on prescriptive approaches. This enables practical trade-offs—often uncovering cost-saving options early—and helps ensure the building remains relevant for decades of operation, not just the day it opens.

 

We design MEP systems with the long view—because buildings don’t just get built, they operate for decades.

 

Energize Denver + Building Performance Compliance

Ethos has a strong foundation in Denver-area building performance requirements and can guide owners through Energize Denver and the Colorado Building Performance Program process. We help you understand what applies, establish a baseline, and develop a practical compliance pathway that aligns with your building, budget, and timeline.

This can include EUI baselining and benchmarking, documentation and reporting support, and a phased MEP upgrade strategy tailored to your building. When needed, we can also support ASHRAE Level II audits and associated documentation to help pursue the most cost-effective compliance approach—whether that means a planned improvement path, timeline adjustments, or a clear roadmap to full compliance.