Finished Fast | Willow Grove Elementary School

Willow Grove Elementary School, San Diego, was completed in half the estimated construction time of 15 months, saving about $500,000 in interim housing costs. The 63,500-square-foot, $26.7 million school can accommodate 750 students.

The school houses 30 classrooms in five buildings. It contains a multipurpose center, kitchen, library and administrative building. The site also houses preschool and kindergarten facilities, playgrounds, athletic courts and a synthetic turf sports field.

Sustainable features include native drought-tolerant plants used in landscaping; an energy-management system with individual thermal zones, dual light switches and occupancy sensors; restrooms with waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets; and a high-efficiency irrigation system.

The architect is NTD Architecture (San Diego). Echo Pacific Construction, Inc., (Escondido, Calif.) is the general contractor.