NTD, Echo Pacific Save District $500,000 With Early Completion

SAN DIEGO — NTD Architecture and Echo Pacific Construction Inc. recently completed a new elementary school for the Poway Unified School District in half the estimated time for construction of the project, according to the architectural firm.

Officials initially estimated Willow Grove Elementary School would take 15 months to complete, but the project finished ahead of schedule and saved the district about $500,000 to bring the total construction cost to $26.7 million.

The 63,000-square-foot school houses 30 classrooms in five classroom buildings that circle a commons area and learning resource center. It can accommodate up to 750 students.

“This is the fourth iteration of this prototypical design, which has enabled us to both improve upon the design and to save money for the district,” says Richard Nowicki, AIA, partner at NTD Architecture.

The design for the school is based on Monterey Ridge Elementary School, completed in 2006, and Stone Ranch Elementary School, completed in 2004.
California High Performance School certification is pending for Willow Grove, which features native drought-tolerant plants, dual light switches, and occupancy sensors that will monitor and control electricity use.

Restrooms with waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets are expected to reduce water usage by nearly 30 percent and sewage conveyance by 42.5 percent. A synthetic turf sports field will limit the need for irrigation and routine maintenance required for natural turf.

Each learning station in the classrooms is equipped with an interactive white board and audio/visual technology. In addition to teaching spaces, the school features a multipurpose center, kitchen, library and administrative building.