Kristy NelsonPE, P Eng, LEED AP

Kristy Nelson is a mechanical engineer and project manager dedicated to raising the bar for energy-efficient building design. Across her career, she has spearheaded numerous high-profile projects ranging from corporate complexes to civic institutions, with a keen eye for detail and a whole-building outlook that prioritizes sustainability without compromising function or comfort.

At the heart of Kristy's approach lies a commitment to integrated design, working across disciplines to navigate complex challenges and deliver results. She thrives in collaboration, leveraging her expertise to align every aspect of a project with the client's vision and objectives. Her leadership fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, resulting in effective, award-winning, energy-efficient designs.

Kristy’s notable projects include the Edwards Lifesciences campus expansion in Irvine, California. As mechanical team leader for the multi-phase, 469,000 square foot campus, she orchestrated the seamless integration of sustainable strategies across multiple buildings and a complex assortment of laboratory, office, dining and assembly spaces. Three buildings earned LEED Gold certification while the fourth featured a net-zero energy pavilion and earned LEED Platinum status.

Kristy also led HVAC design for the two-building, six-story County of Orange Civic Center in Santa Ana, California. Kristy’s design blended passive design strategies with high-tech, high-efficiency building systems to achieve a 70% reduction in energy use without the addition of solar panels.

Beyond technical proficiency, Kristy is a mentor dedicated to guiding the next generation of mechanical engineers. Her dedication to integrated design and holistic problem-solving has set a standard of excellence within LPA and the industry at large.