Colleges and universities need to support their basic science research and education missions while simultaneously upgrading or replacing aging infrastructure, and finding ways to attract top faculty and students. To satisfy all these demands, higher-education institutions are constructing state-of-the art science facilities that are expected to last for the next 50 years, requiring reliable mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) systems that can support a flexible teaching and laboratory environment. This article discusses an integrated planning and design approach for science facilities which can result in MEP systems that will support flexible teaching and laboratory environments as well as deliver the desired results.