Producer Involvement in Studios

 

Dan Kolb of Prestress Engineering Company LLC in Prairie Grove, IL talks to students at the Precast Studio Final Presentation.

Because PCI of Illinois & Wisconsin was fortunate to be involved in the first PCI Education Foundation-sponsored Precast Studio at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), I am occasionally asked what makes a studio successful. To me, there are three key ingredients. 

The first part is the professor. We were fortunate in Tom Brock's involvement and excitement -- not only for the precast concrete materials, but also for teaching in a new way. If you know anything about IIT's history, you know it is distinct it the campus' use of glass and steel -- part of the modern vision architect and school professor Mies Van der Rohe. 

The second important ingredient is the local industry involvement. From the very beginning of the studio program, members of PCI-IW have stepped in to the work with students. Giving lectures, providing tours of plants and projects, and spending time in the classroom critiquing (and improving) projects designed by the students. 

The third ingredient is the funding. The PCI Foundation was a the key to getting the IIT and other studios off the ground. From the infancy of the program a few years ago, the Precast Studio program has grown to 7 programs around the US at various universities.

This third ingredient is the one that every member -- producer, professional or associate -- can supply. When a member of the PCI Foundation Raffle and Auction committee calls and asks for your help -- I hope you will heed that call. By donating a week at your vacation home, a Wii fit, or even a Hello Kitty basket -- you can help the foundation create a new generation of architects who not only like precast concrete -- but also know how to innovate with it. 

Spancrete Studio: The Granddaddy of Precast Studios

The Spancrete Studio,  was started by Spancrete Companies in Waukesha, WI, and the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Matt Jarosz and Gil Snyder, two professors at UW, have shaped and guided the studio over the last 7 years. They have been aided by the engineers and other professionals at Spancrete to help create a program that has been copied and repeated throughout the nation.

This year, the studio took on not just one precast project, but an entire city neighborhood, populated with precast buildings. Using  one Milwaukee neighborhood, the project started with urban planning. Once the parcels were assigned uses, students worked either individually or in groups to create buildings that worked in relation to the plan and to each other. Many of these projects will be be submitted to the PCI Design Competition this year.

Although the PCI Foundation did not start the Spancrete Studio, it has used it as a model to create unique and powerful learning experiences for architecture and engineering students. It's sole focus on precast, the intense work of the studio, and the partnership with the local industry have set it apart from other studios offered by the school.

To learn more about how you can become involved with the PCI Foundation, or to  donate a raffle prize or auction package, please check out the PCI Foundation Auction and Raffle website.