2010 PCI Design Awards to Recognize Excellence in Precast Concrete Buildings and Bridges

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) has issued a call for entries for its 2010 Design Awards competition. The competition, now in its 48th year, demonstrates how designers are continuing to utilize precast, prestressed concrete components to achieve more cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and quickly constructed projects. The deadline for submissions is May 21, 2010.
Any structure in the United States, Canada, or Mexico that has been completed within the last three years and is substantially constructed with plant-manufactured precast, prestressed concrete; glass-fiber-reinforced concrete; and/or architectural precast concrete is eligible. Categories include Commercial Structures (office buildings, retail stores, mixed-use structures, public/institutional buildings, and schools); Industrial Facilities (warehouses/distribution centers and manufacturing facilities); Housing (single-family homes, multifamily buildings, hotels/motels, and retirement/assisted-living centers); Specialized Structures (parking structures, stadiums/arenas/sports facilities, justice facilities/courthouses, prisons/jails/correctional facilities, and custom solutions); and Transportation Facilities (bridges with main span up to 75 feet long, bridges with main span from 75 to 150 feet long, bridges with main span more than 150 feet long, rehabilitated bridges, non-highway bridges, and special solutions). Along with a number of best-in-class awards, there are also recognitions given for industry advancement, sustainable design, and the best all-precast concrete structure.
Juries made up of industry experts will consider creativity and ingenuity in the use of precast concrete to achieve aesthetic expression, function, economy, and sustainability, and will recognize excellence in design, engineering, manufacturing, and erecting. Separate juries will evaluate buildings, bridges, and special categories. Entries now done electronically. All entries must be made electronically.
On the Design Awards site you will find more detailed information about the competition, instructions on how to make a submission, sample submissions, and a link to the submission page.
Photos must also be submitted online, and instructions on how to do this are available on the website. Entrants must also provide signed photo release forms from each photographer that has supplied pictures that are being submitted and a copyright release form for each project. These forms can be downloaded from the Design Awards site.

Eligibility

The purpose of the PCI Design Awards program is to recognize design excellence and construction quality using precast concrete. Entries must be submitted by the architect or engineer of record. To be eligible for consideration, a structure must be:
Geographically located within the United States, Canada, or Mexico;
Substantially constructed using precast concrete;
Completed within the last three years.

About PCI

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), founded in 1954, is the foremost developer of standards and methods for designing, fabricating, and constructing precast concrete structures. PCI also operates the worlds leading certification program for firms and individuals in the precast concrete structures industry.
PCI publishes a broad array of periodicals, technical manuals, reports, and other informational documents, including an award-winning technical journal. It also conducts educational seminars, technical conferences, conventions, exhibitions, and awards programs.
Institute members include firms comprising the precast concrete structures industry as well as architects, consultants, contractors, developers, educators, engineers, materials suppliers, service providers, and students.
PCI has 11 regional affiliates across the United States, and maintains relationships with other organizations, both national and worldwide, having interest in precast concrete.