Celebrating LEED Gold at James Martin Middle School

This Earth Day, we’re proud to highlight Arora Engineers’ (Arora) role in creating a more sustainable future at the Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin School in Philadelphia.

Arora, supporting KSS Architects, led the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design for this 87,000+ SF, state-of-the-art middle school. Designed to meet LEED v4 BD+C: Schools Gold standards, the project transforms an aging facility into a high-performance, student-centered learning environment focused on efficiency, wellness, and long-term impact.

Through innovative engineering and integrated design, the project delivers measurable environmental benefits:

• 18.3% reduction in energy use compared to baseline standards
• 5 million gallons of annual water savings through efficient systems
• 58% daylight autonomy in learning spaces, enhancing the student experience
• 100% LED lighting for energy-efficient illumination
• 78% construction waste diverted through recycling and reuse

From energy modeling to high-performance building systems, Arora’s MEP design supports healthier indoor environments while reducing long-term operational costs.

Projects like AMY at James Martin demonstrate how thoughtful engineering can help build greener schools, benefiting students, communities, and the planet for years to come.

Explore the full project details and impact here!