A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system includes a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit is communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units, a first interactive display, and a first plurality of wireless sensors using a Wi-Fi direct protocol. The second control unit is communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units, a second interactive display, and a second plurality of wireless sensors over a Wi-Fi network. The first control unit is operable to connect to the second control unit using the Wi-Fi direct protocol. Upon connecting to the second control unit, the first control unit switches communications with the first plurality of HVAC units, the first interactive display, and the first plurality of wireless sensors from the Wi-Fi direct protocol to the Wi-Fi network.