Precast Studios Leading the Way from Concepts to Reality

The major program funding by the PCI Foundation is the Precast Studio program. Each of these programs at 7 schools around the nation manage to introduce the precast industry to students and have them interact. This unique program is on the forefront of architectural education -- and has created some incredibly popular programs at universities such a New Jersey Institute of Technology,  University of North Florida, University of Wisconsin, University of North Carolina, Illinois Institute of Technology, and others.

The PCI Foundation put together this video that gives an update on what is happening with the studios.

The foundation has worked with six schools to create these studios, either in the architecture department, engineering department, or as a comprehensive studio that melds the two departments together.

The six studios are as follows:

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee -- This is the "granddaddy" of the studios. It is an architectural program developed and sponsored by Spancrete that was the first of its kind. This year, the students combined their precast work with some urban planning to create many different projects all within one neighborhood -- so each of the projects related to others.

Illinois Institute of Technology -- This was the second studio created, with a model similar to the Spancrete Studio at UWM. Professor Tom Brock has used projects that ranged from a Charter School for the City of Chicago to artist work/live space to take senior level students through the design process in precast concrete. This studio has partnered with the PCI of Illinois & Wisconsin to bring in industry expertise.

University of North Carolina, Charlotte - Thomas Gentry has led this studio which includes both architecture and engineering students. The studio has been successful, having been offered several times now. PCI Georgia / Carolinas has worked closely with the students to ensure "real world" feedback on student projects.

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona -- has offered a PCI Foundation-sponsored studio in the architectural department. They have worked in conjunction with the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Manufacturers Associates of California

University of North Florida -- This is an engineering program that was created by professor Adel El-Safty working with Gate Precast. "This builds an intellectual connection between the industry and academia," says El-Safty. He stresses that students have been able to move beyond theory into "real world" design. The studio has worked in conjunction  the Florida Prestressed Concrete Association.

New Jersey Institute of Technology -- The newest studio in the PCI Foundation roster starts this fall at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. The architecture students in this program will work with local precasters who are part of the Mid-Atlantic Precast Association and PCI Northeast. 

New Donations Daily!

This is an exciting time to be part of the PCI Foundation Silent Auction Committee. Almost daily we are learning of new auction packages that members of PCI have donated. Start making your plans now to attend the convention and BID IT UP!

Travel

• Ponte Vedra Golf Package - Florida / Gate Precast
• Caribbean Cruise from Miami (7 nights) / PCI Fellows and Titans
• Two-day fly fishing school with Orvis / A. L. Patterson
•  Private Tour of Oahu w/ Breakfast and Lunch / GPRI
• Stay and Play Package at Arnold Palmer Resort / W. R. Grace

Sports and Events

• Indy 500 Tickets/Hotel/Dinner / Mi-Jack
• Hunters Package with hand-held GPS / Hamilton Form
• Tickets to a MN Twins Games / Gage Brothers
• Cowboys vs. Giants Game with Parking Passes / Hanson Building Products

Dining (out on the town or catered)

• Concrete Chefs / JVI
• The Capital Grille $250- plus $50 bonus gift card / BASF
• Shula's Steak House /   Hayes Industries
• Roy's Coupons / PCI Foundation Trustees

Food and Drinks

• Chocolate Lovers Gift Basket / Women of PCI
• Gourmet Olive Oils Basket / PCI-IW
• Hand-picked selection of fine wines / Spillman

 Services

•  Brett Drury Architectural Photography / Brett Drury
• 2012 Full Convention Registration for 2 / PCI

Electronics

• Bose SoundDock 10 / Spancrete 
• iPad 2 Package / Cresset Chemicals
• iPhone 4 Package / Easi-Set
• Shhhh TV (wireless TV Headphones, 19" TV)  / Richard and Judy Taylor
• Electronic Bookworm (Kindle and giftcard) / Oldcaste Precast Building Systems

 Fun and Games

• Xbox 360 250 GB / Bonnybrook Custom Steel Forms, Ltd.
•  Liebherr Equipment Model / Liebherr

Around the House

• Party on the Patio Package / Meadow Burke Products
• Birdwatchers Backpack Package / Marty and Steve McIntyre

Check out the foundation donation page to learn more about the types of packages the committee hopes to put together.

Ante Up for the Auction!

The Auction & Raffle committee had the unhappy realization that raffles are illegal in Utah. That means that we have kicked into high gear for the auction . . . and it is on!

There are some great packages that will be available including one from Hanson Building Products who donated two tickets and a parking pass to the Dallas Cowboys vs. NY Giants game, December 11th, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. Thank you to the folks at Hanson for donating such a generous package. 

If you haven't already received a call, you can contact either Marianne Methvan or Marty McIntyre to make a donation.