In July 2021, the New Zealand Ministry of Education (MoE) embarked on an ambitious project: the establishment of Milldale Primary School on a pristine green fields site. With a new permanent school simultaneously under construction, the MoE sought a rapid and comprehensive solution to provide essential learning spaces while ensuring the new school's timely completion.

The site's accessibility, compounded by Auckland's notoriously wet weather, posed a significant logistical challenge. Ensuring the safety of workers and the integrity of the structures in such conditions demanded careful planning. The project had an exceptionally tight timeline. The goal was to complete the buildings before the start of Term 1 in 2023, leaving little room for delays.

The project aimed to provide Milldale Primary School with essential facilities, including:

• 12 Teaching Spaces: These spaces would served classrooms for students, ensuring continuity of education during the construction of the permanent school.

• Administration Building: An administrative center was crucial for school management and operations.

• Ablution Facilities: Three pan unisex toilets and one HDU toilet were included to meet the sanitation needs of students and staff.

• Decks, Verandas, Steps, and Ramps: These additions would enhance accessibility and provide spaces for outdoor learning and activities.

• Connections to Services: Essential connections such as data, fire systems, power, security, water, waste, stormwater, school bell, and keyless locks were integrated to ensure seamless functionality.

Project Manager Neil McLean, was approached to provide a rapid and comprehensive turnkey solution. Neil's first step was to visit the site, take precise measurements, and draft concept drawings. These initial plans were shared with the MoE for confirmation.

Once the MoE greenlit the layout, PM Neil proceeded with pricing, working closely with Form Construction, the primary builders overseeing the project.

Despite the challenges, the project moved forward at a remarkable pace:

• Three Months to Completion: From the project's initiation to its successful completion, only three months elapsed.

• Classrooms in Use: The Portacom buildings were immediately utilized as classrooms, allowing students to continue their education even as construction progressed on the permanent school.

• Praise for Quality and Timeliness: Form Construction commended both the quality of the Portacom structures and the team's ability to adhere to the tight schedule.

Portacom Building Solutions, working in partnership with Form Construction, delivered a rapid turnkey solution that ensured uninterrupted learning for students in the face of tight timelines, challenging weather conditions, and complex logistics.

This project was a testament to the collective effort and commitment of everyone involved, underscoring the importance of teamwork in achieving successful outcomes even in the most demanding circumstances.

At Portacom Building Solutions, we take pride in our ability to provide quality, customised solutions that make a positive impact on the communities we serve.