ASC Architects' involvement in this project was more than designing the new building; we assisted the school in planning for an 80 percent growth in its student roll.

The particularly challenging aspects were the requirements to work on the project while the school ran as usual, and not building over any part of the site that did not already accommodate buildings.

Willowbank Primary School in Howick opened in April 2001 with a roll of 87 children, nine teachers and three auxiliary staff, but now caters to around 850 children with a staff of 60. The site was originally in a rural fringe environment but now the school finds itself in the centre of a fast growing suburban area.