PCI awards 21 projects for design excellence

Chicago — The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) announced the winners of its annual Design Awards program. This year the program, which is in its 55th year, recognized 21 projects with awards of excellence in design out of more than 100 project entries from producers, engineers, and architects across the U.S.

“Our annual awards program is meant to challenge our industry to continue to push the envelope and to innovate in the design and production of precast concrete systems,” said PCI President Bob Risser. “The variety and quality of the projects our precast concrete producers and their partners in the engineering and architectural communities submitted for consideration this year demonstrate how versatile precast concrete systems are for creating sustainable, cost-effective, and beautiful projects.”

Projects are submitted in a variety of categories, including transportation, buildings, and special categories. They are judged by a panel of industry experts that includes precast concrete producers, engineers, architects, and construction and architectural industry media.

The buildings and transportation categories are judged on aesthetic, structural, and use versatility; site, energy and operational efficiency, and risk reduction; resiliency, such as structure durability, multi-hazard protection, and life safety and health.

PCI also selects several projects for special awards that are judged on similar criteria to the building and transportation project, as well as additional requirements including industry advancement, sustainable design, and designs using all precast concrete. These awards include the Harry H. Edwards Industry Advancement Award, The All-Precast Concrete Solution Award, and the Sustainable Design Award.

All winning projects will be showcased at the PCI Convention in 2018, as well as included in the PCI Design Awards Winners summary article, which is published in the PCI Journal, ASCENT and Aspire magazines. Additional details and photos for each of the award-winning projects, as well as honorable mention winners, are available on the PCI website at https://www.pci.org/PCI/About/Awards/Design_Awards/Design_Award_Winners?year=18.

“It’s very rewarding to see the new ways that designers and producers are leveraging the unique attributes of precast, prestressed concrete each year,” said Risser. “This year was no exception. It’s an honor to recognize all of these projects as being best-in-class representations of what our industry can achieve.”

Building Projects

Government and Public Buildings — The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Miami, Florida

Higher Education/University (co-winners) — Capitol Federal Hall, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas; and University of Chicago Campus, North Residential Commons, Chicago, Illinois

Hotels/Motels — The Study at University City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Manufacturing — Universal Alloy Light Press Plant, Ball Ground, Georgia

Mixed Use — 4260 Cortex, St. Louis, Missouri

Office Building — Honor Credit Union Operations Office, Berrien Springs, Michigan

Parking Structures — Alpharetta City Center Parking Deck, Alpharetta, Georgia

Religious — Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Temple, Gilbert, Arizona

Stadiums and Arenas — Commonwealth Stadium Renovation/Expansion, Lexington, Kentucky

Custom Solutions (co-winners) — Corning Museum of Glass Contemporary Art + Design Wing, Corning, New York; and Cleveland Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio

Transportation Projects

Main Span up to 75 Feet — The Carriage Pavilion Bridge at Union Station, Kansas City, Missouri

Main Span from 76-149 Feet — Interstate 85 Bridge over Piedmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia

Main Span more than 150 Feet — Chief Joseph Dam Timber Truss Bridge Replacement, Douglas County, Washington

Non-Highway Bridge (pedestrian, bicycle, railroad, etc.) — Aerial Guideway for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail, Herndon, Virginia

Special Solution — Peter Courtney Minto Island Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge, Salem, Oregon

Special Projects

Harry H. Edwards Industry Advancement Award — The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Miami, Florida

Sustainable Design Award — Keauhou Lane, Honolulu, Hawaii

All-Precast Concrete Solution Award (co-winners) — Roseville City Hall Annex, Roseville, California; and Port of Juneau Cruise Ship Terminal Concrete Pontoons, Juneau, Alaska