Student Design Competiton Aided by PCI Foundation Work

One of the programs that has been boosted by the work of the PCI Foundation is that of the student design competition. Although it is not necessary to be part of a PCI Foundation-sponsored Precast Studio to enter the competition, the past winners have often come from some of the programs scattered around the US. Students interested in the program, either for 2011 or beyond, can enter the compeition to learn more about designing in precast concrete.

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute has issued a call for entries for its 2011 Student Architectural Design Competition. The project will address total-precast concrete design solutions for multi-unit housing, including concepts for duplex, apartment, senior and extended-care housing projects, as well as hotels, motels, dormitories and military barracks. 
Students will be evaluated on their ability to creatively design and technically integrate architectural and structural total-precast concrete systems. For their design, they may elect to use a selected site-specific location at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, Ill., or develop their own existing site.

Consideration for sustainable building practices will be a major element in the competition. Successful entries will be characterized by innovative use of precast/prestressed concrete as an agent in sustainable design. A minimum potential LEED silver rating is required to be integrated into the design.

The competition is open to students currently enrolled in any architecture-related program, such as architecture, landscape architecture, construction management, interior design or any program with an emphasis on the built environment. Competition entries may be the work of an individual student or can be submitted as a team from a school. Student organizations, such as AIAS, may enter the competition as a possible fund-raiser for the organization. Each entry must have a faculty advisor.

The entry due date for the 2011 competition is May 27, 2011. Design winners will be announced in July 2011 and awards will be presented at the PCI 2011 Annual Convention & Exhibition to be held October 22–25, 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

For more information about the competition, submittal requirements and forms, visit www.pci.org. Click on Education, then click on Architectural Competition.

For questions or sponsorship opportunities, contact PCI’s managing director, research and development, Roger J. Becker, P.E., S.E., at 312-360-3213 or rbecker@pci.org.