Direct-to-Owner Engineering

Unlocking Building Potential

People. Planet. Profit. Paladin

Paladin works directly with building owners to tackle their needs for more cost-effective, emissions-reducing solutions that maximize value. This avoids the delays typical with traditional models and accelerates project completion. Our approach prioritizes your needs, preferences, and feedback, ensuring you get exactly what you want.

Engineering the Game Plan

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Design

Our engineering services cover everything from managing current equipment inventory to meeting energy goals, cutting emissions, and planning maintenance. Our process begins with an understanding of your goals and then carefully studying the project. We offer tailored recommendations and guide you through any implementation challenges. Whether it’s phasing out old equipment or planning upgrades, we forge partnerships to ensure seamless execution and maximum outcomes.

Existing Building Improvements

Paladin’s engineers specialize in targeted system upgrades, replacements, and retrofits. Starting with a thorough assessment, we gain knowledge of the facility or building by listening to you. From there, we pinpoint areas for improvement and implement upgrades to optimize functionality, safety, health, and energy efficiency. The outcome is a triple play: extended building life, enhanced asset value, and minimized emissions.

MEP System Upgrades
Energy Audits
Conditions Assessments
System Troubleshooting

Building Automation Systems (BAS) Design

Modern building requirements are more varied as the industry leans toward greater dependence on advanced building automation systems. Whether modernizing a legacy system or implementing a brand new one, our BAS design is rooted in a deep understanding of both current and evolving technologies.

:: CASE STUDIES ::

BlueOval SK Training Center

The 1,500-acre BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky is a new battery manufacturing campus that produces batteries for future Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The park employs over 5,000 people who

General

CMIT Building

Berea College envisioned two future-focused buildings to harness the power of computer science, digital media and information technology, and applied engineering and design to prepare the next generation of technology

General

BlueOval SK Training Center

The 1,500-acre BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky is a new battery manufacturing campus that produces batteries for future Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The park employs over 5,000 people who train for future careers at the 42,830-square-foot Elizabethtown Community and Technical College BlueOval SK Training Center. The center provides advanced on-site training, supporting a sustainable workforce and enabling Ford and SK On to maintain skilled labor within the region.

CMIT Building

FedEx Freight Facility

Explore how FedEx Freight’s new distribution center achieved significant sustainability milestones, including a 45.6% energy cost reduction and a 30% water use cut, exemplifying a commitment to green building standards.

Ecofibre U.S. Headquarters

Discover how Ecofibre’s U.S. headquarters became the first LEEDv4 Platinum warehouse and distribution center, setting a new standard in sustainable building and innovative hemp-based products.

Centralized Lab

See how Paladin’s strategic interventions at a 1980s building have led to a 20% energy reduction over 10 years, preserving capital and optimizing operational efficiencies despite rising energy costs.

Cabinet for Human Resources Complex

Discover how the CHR Building achieved a 27% annual energy reduction, saving approximately $204,000 per year through strategic system enhancements and energy-efficient measures.

Berea Natural Sciences & Health Building

Explore how Berea College’s Natural Sciences and Health Building, a LEED Gold project, achieves optimal performance, energy savings, and a unique educational environment for advanced scientific learning.

Belknap Residence Hall Phase I

Discover the Belknap Residence Hall at UofL, where Paladin’s expert guidance led to LEED Gold certification, promoting sustainable living and learning with a significant 36.1% reduction in water use.

4th Street Live!

Explore the GSA Fit-Up project at 4th Street Live!, where Paladin’s expert sustainability strategies led to LEED certification, enhancing access to USCIS services while prioritizing environmental and operational efficiency.

Danforth Hall and Kettering Hall

Discover Danforth and Kettering Halls at Berea College, where innovative design and sustainable construction earned LEED Silver certification and achieved a remarkable 48.1% reduction in water use.

:: CLIENT REVIEWS ::

“I view Paladin as a HIGH IQ company… Their Team work is flawless and their ability to absorb, manipulate and support data in many formats relating to energy is extraordinary”

“In my experience, Paladin has always brought value to a project, resulting in a building project that performs better, is more maintenance friendly, and is just a better quality product for the Owner.”

“Paladin is one of the few firms that truly understands what commissioning consists of. They look at all aspects of the building and how the users interface with the building. They ask the right questions and come up with workable solutions. Paladin has deployed a plan to implement commissioning on over 50 buildings and continues to produce great results.”

“Paladin goes beyond just construction drawing reviews; they view the drawings from an operator perspective. The result is a product which is not only constructible, but also operational.”

"....it has been my pleasure to work beside each of you [at Paladin].... KCTCS has many new buildings that are of sound construction and have energy efficient systems because of your efforts."

Recent Blog Posts 01 / 05

DESIGNING FOR SAFETY: How Prevention Through Design Reduces Construction Risks

By Mark Zoller, PE, CxA, LEED APPaladin Engineers The notion that every accident is preventable is more than just a philosophy - it's the foundational principle of every decision we make in building design and construction. Whether we’re engineers, architects, contractors or building owners, we all have a unique opportunity to set a safety baseline Read More

BEYOND THE GREEN LABEL: The Business Case for Sustainable Building

By Candice Rogers, Paladin, Inc. When clients ask me about sustainability in building projects, I often hear an undercurrent of skepticism. There's a lingering perception that "green building" is either a regulatory burden or a feel-good marketing exercise. After decades in this industry, I can tell you that neither view fully captures the reality Read More

Beyond Code Compliance: How Lighting Power Density Shapes Performance and Sustainability

By Mark Zoller, PE, CxA, LEED AP Paladin Engineers When building owners first learn about lighting design, they often focus solely on meeting code requirements for Lighting Power Density (LPD) - the maximum allowable watts per square foot in a space. While code compliance is essential, treating it as the end goal is like saying Read More

Building Your Future in Commissioning: A View from the Paladin Team

By Paladin, Inc At Paladin, we've watched building commissioning (Cx) grow from a niche specialty into one of construction's most vital quality assurance disciplines. Our commissioning teams help ensure buildings perform as designed while meeting today's demanding standards for efficiency, sustainability and occupant comfort. For students looking for a unique and rewarding career Read More

Diversion vs. Source Reduction: Rethinking Construction and Demolition Waste

By Erica Weeks, LEED Fellow Construction and Demolition Waste in the Built Environment Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a necessary evil of an ever-changing built environment. Buildings outlive their useful lifespan and are demolished for new ones to take their place (I’ll discuss adaptive reuse of existing buildings at another time).Delivering custom buildings requires Read More