PCI.

ORG DIGITAL EDITION

ASCENT
Winter 2024

DESIGNING WITH PRECAST

PRECAST
PROTECTS LIFE
TOUGH, LASTING,
SECURE
 Precast Concrete Illuminates
in Midtown Atlanta
A 1st Place Winner in the 2022 Georgia Chapter ACI Awards, the Beacon Parking Garage was designed to be a recognizable, artistic
addition to the Atlanta skyline. The 16-story precast parking deck was produced at Metromont’s Hiram, GA plant and provides 3,000
parking spaces for Emory University Hospital Midtown. Clad in a double-height curtainwall system, the ground level of the parking

deck includes an active retail space for future development.

Visit www.metromont.com to learn how Metromont’s total precast solutions are reimagining parking garage construction.

METROMONT, INC P.O. Box 2486 Greenville, SC 29602 1.844.882.4015 | METROMONT.COM

HIRAM, GA WINCHESTER, VA RICHMOND, VA BARTOW, FL

844.882.4016 540.401.0101 844.881.2810 844.882.4077
The Team!
A Great Connection for
Great Connections!

Your Connection Connection

7131 North Ridgeway Avenue • Lincolnwood, IL 60712 USA
847-675-1560 • 1-800-742-8127 • www.jvi-inc.com
 ARIZONA FLORIDA MISSOURI TEXAS
Phoenix 602.237.3875 Miami 305.823.8950 Marshall 660.886.3306 Austin 512.250.0755
Orlando 407.855.3191
ARKANSAS Tampa 813.626.1141 NEBRASKA ONTARIO, CANADA
Conway 501.329.3763 Omaha 402.291.0733 Dundas 905.689.3993
GEORGIA Stoney Creek 905.643.0220
CALIFORNIA Atlanta 770.471.1150 NEW MEXICO
Los Angeles 951.943.9119 Albuquerque 505.247.3725
INDIANA
CONNECTICUT Indianapolis 317.353.2118 OKLAHOMA
Thomaston 860.283.8281 Oklahoma City 405.632.4944
KANSAS Oklahoma City 405.672.2325 Visit us online at:
Kansas City 913.287.5725 Tulsa 918.438.0230 www.coreslab.com
 CONTENTS

ASCENT® IS A PUBLICATION OF PCI

Executive Editor: Tom Bagsarian

Managing Editors: Monica Schultes,
Susan Bady, and Deborah Huso
Editors: Becky King and Nikole Clow
Graphic Designer: Russell Duncan
Ad Sales: Shelly Encher
sales@pci.org
Reprint Sales and Subscriptions: Tom Bagsarian
tbagsarian@pci.org
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute: Baptist Hospital Campus, Pensacola, Fla. (page 20).
Bob Risser, PE, President and CEO Photo: Chad Baumer Photography.
Industry Technical Review Team: Mark McKeny,
Jim Schneider, Joe Beck, Corey Greika,
Megan Kocchi, Jane Martin, Brian Miller, Features
Mike Oliver, Monty Overstreet,
Howard Poulsen, and Terri Ward 10 To Your Health
Precast concrete offers many benefits
Architect Advisory Team: Marty Huie and to healthy building design.
Michael Zensen

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

14 Defined by Versatility
Ascent, 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 1150, and Respect for History
Chicago, IL 60631 RAMSA uses precast concrete to
emulate traditional details in a
Periodical postage paid at Chicago, IL variety of projects.
and additional mailing offices.
18 Projects Demonstrate Resiliency
Ascent (Vol. 34, No. 1, ISSN 10796983) is published Unique projects demonstrate how
quarterly by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Precast Protects Life.
Institute, 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 1150,
Chicago, IL 60631
32 Safety Landmark DIGITAL-ONLY
New public safety building houses
Copyright 2024 Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
county’s first responders.
Email marketing@pci.org for questions and comments.
34 Freedman Award
Florida house of worship receives
If you have a project to be considered,
send information to Tom Bagsarian at annual craftsmanship award.
tbagsarian@pci.org.

Departments
PCI.ORG

ASCENT
Winter 2024

PRECAST 4 Insight Top: The John and Joan Mullen Center

DESIGNING WITH PRECAST

for the Performing Arts at Villanova

PROTECTS LIFE Precast concrete truly is resilient.
University, Villanova, Pa. (page 16).
TOUGH, LASTING, 6 Precast Concrete Design Resources Photo: Peter Aaron/OTTO.
SECURE
8 Continuing Education Opportunities Bottom: Lucy Gonzalez Parsons
Apartments, Chicago, Ill. (page 24).
Learn about the webinars and virtual
Photo: LBBA
education opportunities PCI offers.

36 University Profile: Collaboration

Across the Pacific
Precast concrete helps bond two
PCI Foundation studios.

On the cover: Marist College 38 PCI-Certified Plants and

Science and Allied Health Building Erectors Listings
Photo: Peter Aaron/OTTO.
3
ASCENT, WINTER 2024
ASCENT
DESIGNING WITH PRECAST
®
INSIGHT
PRECAST CONCRETE
TRULY IS RESILIENT
I had the honor to serve on the 2024 PCI Design Awards jury. Working at a precast
concrete producer and with a background in architecture, being a part of this process
was a fascinating experience.
Every juror had a great deal of experience with precast concrete. At one point I advocated for a
certain project that resonated with me personally and it carried influence over some of the other ju-
rors. There were also times when the other jurors brought up notable aspects about other projects
that I had not previously considered, causing me to change my perspective on which projects were
most worthy of receiving an award.
DIRK MCCLURE Only the very best of the best precast concrete solutions are typically even submitted. As a juror,
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS it was tough to narrow them down, because there were so many great entries that provided inno-
DEVELOPMENT, vative and visually striking solutions. However, what really struck me about these entries was the
ENTERPRISE PRECAST
CONCRETE consistent theme of resiliency.
Precast concrete is a durable material that provides a solution that is storm-resistant, blast-
resistant, moisture-resistant, sound-resistant, and is inherently fire-resistant.

Precast Concrete is Sustainable

Sustainability is a large factor in precast concrete’s resiliency. Some ways precast concrete products
contribute to environmental stewardship include:
• Optimizing Energy Performance: With an insulated sandwich panels system, having insula-
tion going from top to bottom and edge to edge, the precast concrete industry was on the front
end of compliance with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning
Engineers’ continuous insulation requirements. It remains one of the most efficient building
envelope systems, providing consistently high R-values along with thermal mass benefits.
Owners and long-term tenants appreciate these energy savings in their buildings.
• Recycled Content: Precast concrete contains a notable amount
of recycled content and is typically produced regionally from raw
materials that are harvested regionally.
• Minimized Waste: Precast concrete typically involves very little
waste. It is often produced in an indoor, temperature-controlled,
quality-controlled environment where just enough concrete is
placed to fill the forms. Read the Spring
2024 issue of
• Longevity: Precast concrete is a true 100-year solution, which is
Ascent to see
inherently sustainable. the 2024 PCI
Design Award
So check out the 2024 PCI Design Awards in the Spring 2024 issue. winners.
Note how many times resilience is mentioned as a characteristic of
the winners. More than a buzzword, precast concrete truly is resilient.

Dirk McClure is director of business development for Enterprise Precast Concrete in Kansas City,
Kans. Email dmcclure@enterpriseprecast.com.
 Precast Prescription:
Brick for Healthy Design
Blackson delivers good medicine in
full-bed and thin-veneer brick

Blackson Brick Co. delivers:

. leading commercial manufacturers
. unlimited color selections
. knowledgable, responsive support
. nationwide distribution network

Sanford Medical Center Fargo

HKS Dallas
Gage Brothers Sioux Falls
M.A. Mortenson Fargo

Endicott
Build Green, 30% Bordeaux, 30% Burgundy,
Build Better: 20% Executive Ironspot, 214.855.5051
Blackson Brick. 20% Copper Canyon Velour Modular Premier Partners @
pci blacksonbrick.com
PCI RESOURCES

PRECAST Architectural Precast Concrete

CONCRETE Color and Texture Selection Guide,

DESIGN
2nd Edition (CTG-10)
The Architectural Precast Concrete Color and
Texture Selection Guide has been updated with
12 new color and texture pages, plus identification

RESOURCES
pages with mixture designs. This edition includes
nine new color pages with two new colors per
page, two pages of new formliners, and one
page of new clay brick-faced precast concrete.
The numbers in the guide have not been changed,
so that there is no confusion between the old
PCI develops, maintains, and disseminates the and the new versions.
Body of Knowledge for designing, fabricating,
and constructing precast concrete structures
and systems. It is from this Body of Knowledge
that building codes, design guides, education, Architectural Precast Concrete,
and certification programs are derived. Please 3rd Edition (MNL 122)
This fully revised edition includes new sections
visit pci.org/design for all of these design
on sustainability, condensation control, and
resources and more. blast resistance. You’ll get extensive updates
in the areas of color, texture, finishes, weather,
tolerances, connections, and windows, along
with detailed specifications to meet today’s
construction needs. Includes full-color
photographs and a bonus DVD.

PCI Architectural Precast Concrete

Certification Guidelines
Featuring clear descriptions of PCI’s new
certification categories for architectural concrete,
this Designer’s Notebook provides guidance for
specifying the most appropriate PCI architectural
Designer’s Notebooks – Free certification categories for the production and
The PCI Designer’s Notebooks provide field erection of various types of architectural
detailed, in-depth information on precast precast concrete components.
concrete relevant to specific design topics
such as acoustics, mold, and sustainability.

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation

(Requester Publications Only) 13. Publication Title 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below

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Educate and entertain Preceding 12 Months Nearest to Filing Date 16. Electronic Copy Circulation Average No. Copies No. Copies of Single
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(1) requests from recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions,
employer requests, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies.)
b. Total Requested and Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) + Requested/Paid Electronic Copies
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the mail) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter 0
Publisher (Name and complete mailing address) (3) Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS® 0
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·tL
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Tom Bagsarian
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute 8-2-2023
Outside County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 (include .>
8770 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 1150
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Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (including civil penalties).
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OF OWNERSHIP
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M E M B E R
 CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
CHAPTER
EXECUTIVES

PCI HEADQUARTERS
phone: (312) 786-0300
email: info@pci.org
pci.org

FLORIDA PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE ASSOCIATION
DIEP TU, PE
phone: (407) 758-9966
email: diep@myfpca.org
myfpca.org

GEORGIA/CAROLINAS PCI
MARTI HARRELL
phone: (317) 435-8523
email: marti.harrell@gcpci.org
gcpci.org

PCI MID-ATLANTIC
DAWN DECKER
phone: (717) 682-1215
email: dawn@pci-ma.org
PCI Continuing Education pci-ma.org
PCI is a registered continuing education provider with the American Institute of Architects (AIA),
and the National Council of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES). PCI also has registered
PCI CENTRAL REGION
programs with the International Code Council (ICC). PCI’s educational offerings include a variety
PHIL WIEDEMANN
phone: (937) 833-3900
of programs to fit your schedule and preferred learning environment, such as webinars, seminars, email: phil@pci-central.org
lunch-and-learns, and online education. To learn more, visit pci.org/Education. pci-central.org

PCI GULF SOUTH

Learning Opportunities DAN ECKENRODE
phone: (228) 239-3409
> WEBINARS email: pcigulfsouth1@att.net
PCI webinars are presented live each month by industry experts on a variety of topics from pcigulfsouth.org
design and construction to sustainability and more. All webinars are FREE. Webinars provide
an inexpensive way to stay up to date on new materials, products, concepts, and more while PCI OF ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN
earning continuing education credits. Visit pci.org/PCI/Education/Webinars for the full
JOE LOMBARD
phone: (312) 505-1858
schedule of upcoming webinars and registration information. email: Joe.Lombard@pci-iw.org
pci-iw.org
> PCI ELEARNING CENTER
The PCI eLearning Center is the first education management system dedicated to the precast PCI MIDWEST
concrete structures industry. This free 24-hour online resource provides an opportunity for
MIKE JOHNSRUD, PE
phone: (612) 760-6101
architects and engineers to earn continuing education credits on demand. Each course includes email: mike@pcimidwest.org
a presentation recording and reference materials. Visit oasis.pci.org. pcimidwest.org

PCI MOUNTAIN STATES

> SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS JIM SCHNEIDER, LEED AP
PCI and its regional affiliates offer seminars and workshops all over the United States on a variety phone: (303) 562-8685
email: jschneider@pcims.org
of topics. Visit pci.org/PCI/Education/Seminars_and_Workshops for up-to-date seminar list- pcims.org
ings, additional information, and registration.
PCI NORTHEAST
> PCI QUALITY CONTROL SCHOOL RITA L. SERADERIAN, PE, LEED AP
PCI offers training for quality control technicians to prepare individuals for PCI personnel phone: (617) 484-0506
email: rseraderian@pcine.org
certification examinations. Visit pci.org/PCI/Education/Quality_Control_Training_Courses pcine.org
for details.
PCI WEST
> LUNCH-AND-LEARNS RUTH A. LEHMANN, PE, PMP
PCI’s lunch-and-learn/box-lunch programs are a convenient way for architects, engineers, and phone: (949) 420-3638
email: ruth@pciwest.org
design professionals to receive continuing education credit without leaving the office. Industry pciwest.org
experts visit your location; provide lunch; and present on topics such as sustainability, institu-
tional construction, parking structures, aesthetics, blast resistance, the basics of precast con- PRECAST CONCRETE MANUFACTURERS’
crete, and many more. Visit pci.org/LearnAtLunch for a list of lunch-and-learn offerings and ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
to submit a program request. CHRIS LECHNER
phone: (866) 944-7262
email: lechner@pcmatexas.org
pcmatexas.org
 Get the complete package.

No matter the market sector, project type or design intent, our team is
ready to take on the challenge. We bring a new way of thinking and
creating to all that we do. See how our total prefabrication building
solutions can support your design and construction goals.

Get all your needs met with Wells building solutions.

Learn more at wellsconcrete.com/total-precast
 HEALTHY
BUILDINGS

Precast concrete walls of the Maple River Elementary School in Mapleton, Minn., absorb sound and provide a buffer between
outdoor noise and the indoor environment, while hollow-core slab floors reduce sound transfer between internal floors.
Photo: Troy Theis Photography.
TO YOUR
HEALTH
PRECAST CONCRETE OFFERS
MANY BENEFITS TO HEALTHY
BUILDING DESIGN BY JIM SCHNEIDER

Anyone who works in building design and construction

knows that all buildings, no matter what type, are compli-
cated endeavors that must balance many priorities. Budget,
schedule, functionality, aesthetics, energy efficiency, and sustainability
are just some of the factors that must be weighed on any construction
project. Project teams are always dealing in tradeoffs and having to
make decisions about how to best balance different factors and come
up with something that checks off as many boxes as possible.
Architects, engineers, and construction professionals typically focus
mostly on the makeup and function of the physical building. But if we
step back for a moment and think about what a building’s true purpose
is, one thing becomes clear: A building doesn’t represent the owner, ar-
chitect, or engineer. Its true purpose is to serve the occupants of that
building.
Whether it’s an office, school, hotel, retail, or municipal building, all
buildings are built to accommodate the human beings that use it. Of
course, buildings are extremely complex and it’s easy to get lost in the
weeds when dealing with structure and aesthetics; heating, ventila-
tion, and air-conditioning; and operations. However, particularly in the
post-COVID-19 era, there is greater recognition that we must also focus
on designing and building spaces that are safe, healthy, and enhance the
user’s well-being and comfort.

11
ASCENT, WINTER 2024
 Precast concrete was the ideal material for the
South Carolina Children’s Theatre in Greenville. The
precast concrete walls isolated external noise from
the interior stage while insulated panels provided an
Some of these concepts already exist under the umbrella of R-value of 11, reducing energy costs for cooling.
sustainability and even within green building certification pro- Photo: Kris Decker/Firewater Photography.
grams such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED. Referred
to initially as indoor air quality and later as indoor environmental
quality, it was a recognition that things like clean air and daylight-
ing are important to people in indoor spaces. More owners came 2014 by the WELL Building Institute. Grounded in medical research
to realize that poor indoor environmental quality led to very real that explores the connection between buildings and occupant
issues with “sick building syndrome,” and negatively impacted health, it is a performance-based system for measuring, certify-
health and productivity. ing, and monitoring features of the built environment. It examines
impacts on human health and well-being through air, water, nour-
The Next Nexus ishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “With Another well-established program is Fitwel. Originally creat-
humans spending 90% of our time indoors, our individual health ed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
is directly tied to the health of our buildings. Healthy Buildings are and U.S. General Services Administration, Fitwel was developed
at the nexus of global health and sustainable development goals, by experts in public health, facility management, and design, and
operating across four pillars of health—Indoor Health, Resource is supported by more than 7000 research studies. CDC remains a
Health, Economic Health, and Environmental Health—and under- research and evaluation partner for Fitwel.
pinned by Public Health.” According to research from Fitwel, 49% of building owners are
The school also established nine foundations of a healthy build- willing to pay more for buildings demonstrated to have a positive
ing: ventilation, air quality, thermal health, moisture, dusts and impact on health. That number is only expected to grow as the
pests, safety and security, water quality, noise, and lighting and concept becomes better known and more employees and resi-
views. These form the backbone of healthy building design, and dents start to demand more from their buildings.
managing these elements provides building professionals with a
good north star for occupant well-being. Selecting the Correct Building Material
There are several programs that help guide and certify the devel- There are, of course, many things to consider when designing a
opment of healthy buildings. Perhaps the most widely recognized healthy building, and material choice is one of them. Precast con-
right now is the WELL Building Standard, which was launched in crete possesses many inherent qualities that make it an excellent
choice for healthy buildings. It can contribute to three main are- Precast Concrete Meets FEMA Criteria
as: indoor environmental quality, occupant comfort, and safety. Finally, precast concrete is an extremely safe and secure build-
Some of the biggest threats to indoor air quality include volatile ing material. It is exceptionally strong and durable and able to
organic chemicals and mold. Precast concrete is an inert material resist strong winds and debris in severe storms, tornadoes, and
and doesn’t require paintings or coatings, so it doesn’t off-gas. And hurricanes. For this reason, precast concrete is often used in safe
because it is inorganic, it does not support the growth of mold, rooms and storm shelters that meet Federal Emergency Man-
which is one of the biggest drivers of sick building syndrome. In- agement Agency criteria. Precast concrete is also resistant to fire.
sulated precast concrete sandwich walls serve as an air and vapor Using precast concrete in a balanced fire design creates compart-
barrier and provide superior moisture management. mentalization that can help contain fires and allow occupants to
In terms of occupant comfort, precast concrete also delivers exit safely.
excellent acoustic attenuation qualities, with sound transmission Healthy buildings have significant benefits for the well-being
class ratings of about 55 and higher. The long spans that can be and safety of occupants, and increasingly are becoming part of
achieved by using components such as double tees or hollow-core the holistic design of buildings of all kinds. Precast concrete has
create large, column-free spaces that offer designers a great deal numerous attributes that can contribute to the design of build-
of flexibility to incorporate daylighting into their designs. In addi- ings that keep their occupants healthy and safe. Learn more
tion, thermal mass—the physical quality of concrete that allows it about how Precast Protects Life at www.pci.org/howprecast-
to act as a thermal battery, slowly absorbing and releasing heat— builds/precast-protects-life. ●
helps minimize temperature swings and supports consistent, even
interior temperatures. Along with providing a high degree of en- Jim Schneider is executive director of the PCI Mountain
ergy efficiency, this quality also contributes to occupant comfort. States chapter.

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CONTACT TRINIC TO DISCUSS YOUR NEEDS | WWW.TRINIC.US | (800) 475-1975 | (607) 775-1948 | @TRINICLLC
 Over the course of its 50 years, Robert A.M. Stern Ar-
chitects (RAMSA) has established an international rep-
utation as a leading design firm with broad experience
in residential, commercial, and institutional work. Rob-
ert Stern made a name for himself in the 1970s when he

PROFILE revived Shingle-style architecture, a late 19th-century

style, and went on to design private homes and villas
in the Hamptons and other resort areas. He is also well
known as an educator and author, with numerous books
on architectural history to his credit.
Today, RAMSA’s 300 employees practice architecture in a wide
variety of uses, including high-end, single-family homes; high-rise
apartments; hotels; museums; libraries;
banks; offices; and university buildings.

DEFINED BY VERSATILITY
Stern founded the company in 1969
and it became a partnership in 1977. Un-
like some design firms that have multi-

AND RESPECT FOR HISTORY

ple offices around the world, RAMSA has
only one location in New York, N.Y. “The
work breaks down into three studios,”
says Tony McConnell, senior associate.
“One focuses on civic and institutional
RAMSA USES PRECAST CONCRETE TO EMULATE work; the second on high-end, single-family houses; and the third
TRADITIONAL DETAILS IN A VARIETY OF PROJECTS on multifamily residential and hospitality.”
There is crossover between the three. “We find that there’s a
lot of work where [clients] want to create these idyllic towns that
BY SUSAN BADY include a mix of building typologies, like apartment complexes
and nice single-family homes,” McConnell says.
McConnell, who started working for RAMSA 18 years ago when
he graduated from college, says that Stern shows no signs of re-
tiring just yet. “Bob is still very active,” he says. “He was the dean
of architecture at Yale University for 15 years and runs the office
with a very academic mindset.”

Research and Collaboration

One guiding RAMSA principle is that everything must be rooted in
research. “A lot of that has to do with context study,” says McCon-
nell. “All buildings should draw from the context, [not] stick out
unnecessarily in the community. From the context, we determine
the appropriate precedent. We do not design anything just as a
brainy exercise.”
RAMSA also believes in collaborating with subcontractors, es-
pecially precast concrete manufacturers. “We rely on [our precast
concrete producers] because they’re the experts in precast, just as
we’re experts in architectural design,” McConnell says. “Getting
them on board early is really important. I can panelize a design a
thousand times and I know it’s not going to be what we end up
with until I talk to the precasters. [My] panelization will probably
work, but [the precast concrete producer] can point out ways of
The Science and Allied Health Building at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.,
doing things more efficiently.”
represents RAMSA’s first attempt at attaching stone to the precast concrete
façade with adhesive, which allowed site crews to install the panels very Certain design elements, such as connection details, should re-
quickly, says architect Tony McConnell. Photo: Peter Aaron/OTTO. main outside of the architect’s purview. “We don’t want to design
The Science and Allied Health Building is the first academic building on the college’s East Campus and carries forward the palette of
rubblestone walls, stone trim, and red-brick window surrounds established by RAMSA’s work on the West Campus. Photo: Peter Aaron/OTTO.

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 Top: Villanova University’s Center “The curved façade is unusual for precast; typically you see a flat
for the Performing Arts features a façade,” says McConnell. It also features a lot of articulation rather
welcoming, curved wall—unusual than being long and flat.
for a precast concrete façade—
that envelops the lobby and one of The Center for the Performing Arts is a perfect fit for Villano-
two theaters inside the structure. va’s picturesque, historic campus, clad in fieldstone with limestone
trim. The welcoming curve of the lobby extends around the win-
Right: RAMSA designed the tower
at the Center for the Performing dowless black-box theater. The Center also houses a 400-seat
Arts with crenellations that have proscenium theater and rehearsal, classroom, and support spaces.
crosses in the negative space. The exterior of the building has a unique ashlar granite pattern
Photos: © Jeffrey Totaro.
that is unusual for precast concrete. “There is a standard shape to
the stone [pieces] so they could be laid in a formliner and then be
molded into the panel,” he says. “It looks like a hand-laid wall.”
RAMSA also created some details for the tower, part of which
has the university seal. The seal, says McConnell, was easy to pro-
those things; they really need to be on the manufacturer,” he says. duce as a mold of a relief detail. The university also wanted cross-
“But they can start sharing that information. Having the manufac- es on the building, designed to appear as if they have always been
turer as a partner in the design has always benefited my projects.” there. The architectural solution involved creating crenellations in
the tower where the cross is the negative space.
Many Pluses of Precast Concrete The components came together fast, he notes—418 panels were
RAMSA started using precast concrete in 1994 with the Brooklyn laid in just under eight weeks. “In a project this size, if we had used
Law School Tower. “It was also our first traditional precast project, a hand-laid system in a traditional manner, it probably would have
and we used precast to emulate traditional details,” says McConnell. taken four months.”
More recently, RAMSA designed the John and Joan Mullen Center
for the Performing Arts at Pennsylvania’s Villanova University. The Modern Lab, Traditional Façade
building is the new home of the university’s theater department, Another recent RAMSA project is the Science and Allied Health
which had outgrown its previous facility. It continues RAMSA’s in- Building at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. In keeping with
terpretation of the Collegiate Gothic character developed in the other buildings the firm has designed on the campus, the exterior
residence halls, but with a more open expression appropriate to a has a palette of rubblestone walls, stone trim, and red-brick win-
public arts venue. dow surrounds.
 Safety firSt
with PrecaSt
concrete
Tony McConnell, senior associate for RAMSA in New York, N.Y.,
is a true believer in the many ways precast concrete can pro-
tect buildings and their occupants.
“We are sold on the exceptional durability of modern precast concrete
products,” McConnell says. “In the 1970s and 1980s, we were still trying to
figure out how to get differential movement between the backup and face
systems. Back then it was common for bricks to come loose and fall off the
façade. We’ve gotten past those problems; there’s now a better way to affix
brick and stone to the outside of precast panels.”
As far as fire-safety issues, a 6-in. precast concrete wall offers a three-
hour fire rating. “We are able to design with precast in places where we
might otherwise have to spend a lot of money,” says McConnell. “In New
York City there are a lot of [fire] codes, especially if you’re close to anoth-
er building. Two-hour fire-rated walls are required.” With a standard stud
system, the contractor would have to beef
up the wall to achieve the two-hour rat-
ing, when the precast concrete wall is all
that’s needed to create a three-hour wall.
“Marist College has a very traditional campus,” says Mc- Precast concrete is also a great prod-
“We are sold on
Connell. “They wanted to know how we could do a modern
[interior] program but in a traditional building.”
uct for limiting water intrusion due to the the exceptional
capillary action of the concrete (how it durability of modern
The project was RAMSA’s first attempt at attaching
absorbs and expels water). Moisture is
stone to the façade with adhesive, “which allowed us to,
only absorbed into the concrete for ap-
precast concrete
again, do very quick installation of the panels.” Precast con-
crete gave the project the desired fire ratings and sound proximately 3 in. before it follows a nat- products.”
attenuation, which was important for the classrooms that ural path back out.
Tony McConnell,
had fine-tuned equipment. “Precast does a great job of muf- McConnell expects to see more build- senior associate, RAMSA
fling noise and outside vibrations,” McConnell says. ings that require blast resistance. “A pre-
Despite its up-to-date laboratory equipment and teach- cast project naturally lends itself to being
ing environment, the Marist College building “looks like a a blast-resistant project,” he says. “Typically when we need something
traditional building that has been on the campus for a very that’s blast-resistant, we’re talking about a standard cavity wall system on
long time.” a 10-in. CMU [concrete masonry unit] block. The block gets reinforced, and
for all intents and purposes, you have a full concrete backup wall that’s
Recent Developments going to support whatever exterior look you’re going for.” Precast concrete
McConnell is enthusiastic about the potential of precast
eliminates the necessity of beefing up a cavity wall.
concrete to transform design and construction. For in-
stance, RAMSA used reclaimed stone for the first time at Lastly, for earthquakes, connection details can be designed to withstand
a recent project, instead of newly quarried stone. “Precast seismic movement. “With the rebar that’s inside the panels, a panel might
gives us the option to recycle,” he says. crack but it’s not going to fall off, as opposed to a standard cavity wall
He believes precast concrete is an amazing product for where bricks might fall off the building during an earthquake. Precast really
three simple reasons: speed of erection, project cost, and does solve that [problem],” McConnell says. “You might have to make some
longevity of the material. “I can only say that because it fixes down the road after a big event like that, but you’ll keep the whole
doesn’t compromise the aesthetic of a building,” he says. system on the wall.”
“With PCI continuing to encourage manufacturers to push
the envelope, we’re going to see more and more buildings
that utilize precast concrete.” ●

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 CASE
STUDIES

Baptist Hospital’s precast concrete panels featured preinstalled windows, insulation,

vapor barrier, and caulk done in the controlled conditions at the precast concrete plant.
Photo: Chad Baumer Photography.
 PROJECTS DEMONSTRATE

RESILIENCY
Whether it’s a state-of-the-art hospital subject to hurricanes
or an elementary school in Tornado Alley, these four precast
concrete projects demonstrate how Precast Protects Life

BY MONICA SCHULTES, SUSAN BADY, AND DEBORAH R. HUSO

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 BAPTIST HOSPITAL CAMPUS
PENSACOLA, FLA. /// by Monica SchulteS
The design and construction of a hospital is one of the most com-
plicated and costly project types. It must withstand and continue
operating through any natural or manmade disaster. There are
numerous regulations, patient safety, and health requirements,
as well as sophisticated equipment and technology that all need
to be accommodated.
The team surrounding the Baptist Health Care project in
Pensacola, Fla., carefully planned, designed, and constructed a
patient-centered and staff-friendly campus. The new state-of-
the-art facility includes a 10-story, 264-bed hospital; a 6-story,
178,000-ft2 health-care center; a 23,000-ft2 central energy plant;
and a stand-alone behavioral health unit. Completed in Septem-
ber 2023, the campus serves the greater Pensacola region.

Florida Panhandle
The metro region of Pensacola has been experiencing rapid pop-
ulation growth, because of its affordable and attractive coastal
Preglazed precast concrete helped shave three
lifestyle along the Gulf of Mexico. But Pensacola’s location in the months from the construction schedule.
Western Panhandle makes it vulnerable to severe weather and its Photos: Brasfield & Gorrie.
low, flat elevation exacerbates the storm surges associated with
hurricanes and tropical storms.
A robust and resilient hospital was necessary to withstand the
climate and location so that the structure would last for decades. “Prefabrication in health care is an important objective be-
According to Robert “Skip” Yauger, senior vice president with de- cause it accomplishes several things,” says Yauger. It improves
sign firm Gresham Smith, the Baptist Health Care team’s project quality control by a substantial margin compared with building
goals centered around designing and constructing a healthy, on-site, and also improves the speed of construction. “We had
sustainable, and resilient building. “Sustainable because it is the an extremely aggressive schedule,” he adds—just four years
right thing to do, and resilient because of the climate [where] the from programming and planning to design and construction of a
building resides,” he says. 602,000-ft2 hospital.
Gresham Smith evaluated the potential for hurricanes, floods, Prefabrication of bathroom modules and off-site fabrication of
fire, extreme heat, and the wide array of climate issues. The hos- the precast concrete panels were critical to the successful com-
pital is designed for a Category 5 hurricane and a 1000-year flood. pletion of the project. Prefabrication reduced on-site labor and
The structure was also designed to withstand a minor seismic construction waste, and increased safety for personnel on the
event should building codes change over the life of the structure. jobsite. It shortened the project schedule to minimize budget
Gresham Smith relied on in-house expertise from their own overruns and the modular practices helped avoid labor shortages
team of design architects; interior designers; structural, mechan- and supply chain constraints.
ical, and civil engineers; and landscape architects. To memorialize
the original brick hospital, terracotta was used at the main en- Precast Concrete System
trance and precast concrete was selected to emulate the earth Lawton Powell, project manager with Brasfield & Gorrie, says
tones on a larger scale. The architecture, color palette, textures, that given the size and scale of the project, coordination and ad-
and building materials reflect the character and natural environ- equate lead time were essential. “After the decision was made to
ment of Pensacola, describes Yauger. prefabricate the precast concrete system, the planning process
was intense. The teams were integrated early, so we could work
Prefabrication through the structural connections of the precast concrete as the
The existing hospital was more than 70 years old and had outlived cast-in-place concrete hospital structure was being erected,” he
its useful life. It was imperative to establish an aggressive sched- recalls. “As the structure was going up, we were still designing the
ule to move patients into the new facility within three years. To skin. Though it wasn’t design-build, we coordinated in a similar
accomplish that feat, several prefabrication tactics were used. capacity.”
The three-dimensional modeling process was
critical to coordinate the precast concrete
pieces on the skin of the building as well as
the complex operations inside the hospital.
Photo: Chad Baumer Photography.

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 PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
BAPTIST HOSPITAL CAMPUS
Photo: Chad Baumer Photography.

Location: Pensacola, Fla.

Architect: Gresham Smith, Jacksonville, Fla. ditional precast concrete panels with punched windows. “We
wanted to save weight on the structure and GateLite enabled us
Owner: Baptist Health Care, Pensacola, Fla. to do that as well as reduce the carbon footprint,” says Yauger.
The precast concrete panel system selected included insulation
Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie, Birmingham, Ala. and preinstalled windows, which improved efficiencies threefold.
There was insufficient time to install precast concrete panels and
Engineer: Gresham Smith, Jacksonville, Fla.
seal the joints, then install the windows and seal those joints and
PCI-Certified Precast Concrete Producer: then add insulation. “The preglazed sections of the building were
GATE Precast Company, Monroeville, Ala. dried-in so much faster,” says Powell. “The envelope was com-
plete without additional equipment or manpower. It reduced
PCI-Certified Erector: Precision Stone, Hiram, Ga. the congestion on-site and improved safety without the need
for additional lifts and operators. We were able to accelerate the
Precast Concrete Components: GateLite and precast concrete schedule approximately three months by doing the preglazing on
panels. The tube framing on the GateLite is composed of more those areas of the building.”
than 90% recycled content.
Staging and Sequencing
With more than 190,000 ft2 of precast concrete across 958 pan-
els, the pieces were designed to fit within the typical trucking vol-
ume to maximize transportation efficiencies. “Coordinating the
The precast concrete plant is 86 miles north of the jobsite. staging and the sequencing of the panels was one of the most
“GATE’s proximity did nothing but help the success of this pro- critical pieces of this whole project,” says Powell. “If you don’t
ject,” says Powell. That convenience is difficult to achieve unless have the right panel when you need it, it doesn’t work.” Brasfield
you pay a premium for additional storage nearby. & Gorrie coordinated with GATE Precast Company to use identi-
GateLite is a thin architectural façade system that is finished fication tags to deliver and locate pieces and to ensure sufficient
and unitized with glazing and insulation for a complete thermal, panels to install each day. Trailers were dropped and staged on-
vapor, and air barrier. The 2¼ in. of architectural precast concrete site because there was sufficient room on the 57-acre site.
is framed with recycled tube steel and spray-on insulation with Clay Hudson, project manager with GATE Precast Company,
an ultra-low global warming potential. This lightweight system describes the concerted efforts at the precast concrete plant. The
reduces concrete usage by more than 70% compared with tra- precast concrete panels were cast on day one and the next day
they would go to the finishing area to receive spray foam insu-
lation. They were moved to staging areas for the windows to be
installed and caulked.
There was adequate space to store hundreds of pieces for this
project, says Hudson. It was crucial for the plant to optimize the
production schedule and maximize efficiencies. In addition, there
was significant coordination with the window subcontractor to
ensure that sufficient precast concrete panels were ready to re-
ceive glass.

Four Finishes
Before the windows were installed, the precast concrete received
a variety of finishes to achieve the desired aesthetic. According to
Hudson, four different blast finishes can be seen on the building’s
precast concrete façade. Each panel received a combination of
brush blast, light or medium blast, and a polished or honed finish
The campus reflects the natural variations found across the
to achieve the desired color and pattern. The plant personnel fol-
Northwest Florida landscape. Precast concrete panels were cast in
lowed shop tickets that designated which segments of the panel the textures and palette that evoke the sand, sun, wind, and water,
would be masked or blasted. giving an impression of movement across the building façade.
Photo: Baptist Health Care.
In addition to the thin GateLite panels, traditional insulated ar-
chitectural precast concrete panels were manufactured. Both the
traditional precast concrete and the GateLite system feature simu-
lated terracotta accents and a GateStone finish, which creates var- Sustainable Solutions
ying shades of color and a random appearance within the panels. Sustainability initiatives were an important part of the design
The result is precast concrete that emulates the patterns, textures, process. From the way the buildings were sited and laid out,
and colors reminiscent of the Northern Florida landscape. to the materials selected, the Baptist Health Care’s Brent Lane
Campus incorporates many traditional and innovative sustaina-
Design Standardization bility features.
Yauger summarizes the project goals of patient safety, quality, A belowground stormwater recovery system uses nonpotable
and staff efficiency. The result is a healing environment that em- water for irrigation and cooling tower water. Rainwater is col-
braces the human experience in a modern building with natural lected in an underground cistern located below the parking lot,
textures. The “patient-centric” design is exemplified with abun- reducing the health-care campus’s use of water.
dant natural light and access to outdoor spaces. Nursing units Diverting 12 truckloads of windows to the precast concrete
were organized in pods to optimize time spent with patients. This plant for installation, rather than to the jobsite, reduced time and
small-pod planning is just a portion of the planning that goes transportation for the window manufacturer and reduced crane
into the circulation and layout of the hospital. mobilization to install and caulk the windows on the jobsite.
Treatment and patient room spaces are standardized for de- Hand-set terracotta is used only at the main entrance. Much of
sign and construction economies as well as consistent patient the façade comprises precast concrete panels that emulate the
care. From the precast concrete panels to standard headwalls terracotta palette, without the delay or carbon emissions that
and bathroom pods, as many items as possible were prefabri- would result from overseas transport of the clay tiles to Florida.
cated. That concept also applies to the six-story medical office It is possible to deliver a complex structure in three years if you
building wing that is attached to the hospital. have the right team that is committed to communicating, collab-
The tower podium is clad with 6-in.-thick traditional architec- orating, and achieving the project design goals. “We were com-
tural precast concrete panels that load to the foundation. The mitted to working together to meet the schedule and stayed on
podium base includes diagnostics, imaging, food services, and budget despite the volatile times during the pandemic,” Yauger
surgeries, which require large mechanical and ventilation sys- says.
tems and access to some of the back of the house such as sup- The new hospital brings health care to the region, with easy
plies and pharmacy. The first floor contains the main entrance access to the campus and highly visible modern structures. Ul-
and emergency department. On the second floor there are labo- timately, the team balanced sustainability and aesthetics with
ratories, sterile processing, surgery suites, and waiting areas. The functionality. Keeping the patient experience front of mind, the
third floor consists of the intensive care unit, surgery, and physi- facility functions efficiently while also allowing for future growth
cal therapy. Patient rooms are housed in the ten-story tower. both structurally and technologically.

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 The apartment complex’s overall design features tiered
levels, moving gradually from seven stories at the front,
stepping down to four, and then two to provide a more
seamless blending into the residential neighborhood
on the building’s back (or west) side. Photo: Wells.

LUCY GONZALEZ PARSONS APARTMENTS features an array of retail properties, but on the corner of Emmett
Street, it transitions to single-family buildings only. To fit in with
CHICAGO, ILL. /// by Deborah r. huSo the mix of residential and commercial spaces as well as the eclectic
architectural styles in the neighborhood, LBBA proposed a struc-
The Logan Square area of Chicago, Ill., like so many urban neighbor- ture that would be seven stories tall at the front, facing the soon-
hoods, has seen increasing gentrification, making it unaffordable to-be-redesigned Kedzie Avenue.
for many families that have lived there for generations. That was Moving toward the back (west), the number of stories diminish-
the case until construction of the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apart- es to four and then two, providing a more seamless blending into
ments, a 100% affordable housing project, was completed in the residential neighborhood on Emmett Street that is character-
May 2022. ized by smaller buildings. The apartment complex also features
The seven-story, 100-unit, 126,000-ft2 housing complex is an townhouse units, so the design team established a bend in the
equitable transit-oriented development due to its proximity to building to push it back from the street in front of the townhouses
a bus stop and a Chicago Transit Authority subway station. The and gain more green space on Emmett.
much-needed affordable housing complex replaces an underused The design team recommended a total–precast concrete build-
city parking lot. ing for a variety of reasons, including speed of erection, minimal
Spearheaded by nonprofit, Chicago-based developer Bickerdike construction disruption on busy urban streets, and the efficiency
Development Corporation, the total–precast concrete project of having exterior walls that are both structural and architectur-
adds affordable housing that is architecturally compatible with al. “Precast concrete also doesn’t have sound issues because it’s
both the residential and commercial neighborhoods it straddles. dense and makes for quiet apartment [units],” Landon adds.
Landon says the team also appreciated the cost efficiency of to-
Equitable, Affordable Design tal–precast concrete. “Precast is 5% to 7% more economical than a
Even though Logan Square is known for its historic residential ar- mainstream building, and it’s easy to maintain. You can build year-
chitecture, including greystone buildings dating to the turn of the round, secure the construction site because it goes up so quickly,
last century, Chicago-based LBBA Architects decided to forego a and you can enclose it really quickly. You can also get texture and
historic-looking apartment complex. “We wanted the building to scale very flexibly.”
be sustainable and contextual so it would be appropriate for the While precast concrete’s ability to withstand high winds and
neighborhood,” says Peter Landon, principal at LBBA. fire-resistance benefits residents, the material also gave the pro-
The building sits on Kedzie Avenue, which runs north-south and ject participants another advantage. The affordability, durability,
 ToTal–PrecasT
concreTe checks
The Boxes
LBBA, the project architect for the Lucy Gon-
zalez Parsons Apartments, has been designing
precast structures for more than three decades.
“Precast is 5% to 7% more economical than
a mainstream building,” says Peter Landon,
principal at LBBA. In addition to cost efficiency,
the total–precast concrete build allowed an
array of other benefits:

Ease of maintenance
Construction that is not weather-dependent
Minimal disruption at an urban building site
Secure construction site
Quick building enclosure
Opportunities for different textures and colors
The middle section Ease of painting and patching
of the apartment Resistance to fire, mold, insects, and weather
complex features
precast concrete
longevity, and low-maintenance features of precast concrete also panels that are flat on “The beauty of precast is it’s all prefabricated
helped ensure its funding from sources that included $10 million the interior but bump off-site and delivered to the jobsite, so you’re
out about 2 ft on the
in tax-increment financing from the City of Chicago, city-issued just putting blocks together in the field,” says
outside to provide an
tax-exempt bonds, and nearly $13 million in construction funding architectural ripple in Auggy Chung, vice president of sales for Wells’
from the Chicago Housing Authority. the building’s exterior. Great Lakes division. “It’s less labor intensive in
Photo: LBBA.
Joe Dunne, vice president of real estate development with Bick- the field and takes up a lot less space.”
erdike Redevelopment Corporation, says the building’s precast
concrete construction was particularly helpful in securing housing
tax credits, where on-schedule delivery is critical. Precast concrete
construction also reduced Bickerdike’s overall need for financing
because it allows speedier erection, reducing the period the devel- of the jobsite, moving gradually from two stories to seven. The
oper has to carry interest on construction loans. crane used to place the precast concrete panels sat inside the foot-
According to Auggy Chung, vice president of sales for Wells, print of the building for most of the project due to this back-to-
the prefabrication manufacturer and erector, the entire structure front construction process. The crane only had to sit in the street
was composed of precast concrete, including wall panels, beams, at the very end of the project as the last precast concrete walls on
columns, and hollow-core floors and roof, except for the seven the apartment complex’s east entrance were erected.
DELTABEAM® composite beams that support the elevator lobby’s This strategy ensured minimal disruption to neighboring build-
ceiling. ings and streets during the construction process, as did the use of
precast concrete that was manufactured off-site at Wells’ Valders,
Site Challenges Solved Wis., and Crystal Lake, Ill., facilities and then trucked to the jobsite
Though the design of the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments was for erection. Precast concrete erection began in January 2021 and
clean and simple, the construction team faced several challenges was completed in March, taking only 45 days.
due to the site location—a former parking lot in a busy urban loca- At the street-facing corner entrance of the building, precast
tion surrounded by streets and other structures. The builders and concrete fabrication allowed a cantilevered wall panel to create an
engineers therefore took a three-phase approach to construction open glass corner without a vertical column, providing unobstruct-
that allowed them to build the apartment complex from the back ed window views for the 4500 ft2 of retail space on the structure’s
(west) side of the site to the front (east). first floor. The bottom columns in the structure serve as load-bear-
“We essentially only had access to the building site from the ing components.
east side of the property,” says Chung. “There were already existing Because of the tight jobsite at the intersection of Emmett and
buildings on the west, so we worked from the building [footprint] Kedzie, panel transport was a challenge. “There was not a lot of
from west to east.” storage on-site,” Chung says, “so we had to get the [precast con-
The building got taller, however, as the construction team crete components] there just in time for construction.” Most of the
moved away from existing residential structures on the west side precast concrete wall panels were wider than 8 ft.

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Visually Appealing
With its staggered-height design, the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons
Apartments complex blends into the landscape and residences
that surround it. Its faceted precast concrete panels with custom
staining in shades of blue, aqua, and yellow reflect the creative en-
ergy of the Logan Square neighborhood while also incorporating
colors of developer Bickerdike.
To break down the 100-unit apartment building’s mass, LBBA
designed it to have three sections. Behind the front section that
sits on Emmett and Kedzie is a second section where the building
breaks down in scale with a bend away from the street. The middle
section also features panels that are flat on the interior but bump The first two floors of the Lucy Gonzales Parsons
out about 2 ft on the outside to provide an architectural ripple in the Apartments complex feature texturing that mimics shiplap
siding. Wells used formliners to achieve the textured panels.
building’s exterior. Behind the bend at the middle of the building, Recessed colored panels around the windows were
the structure starts stepping down to four stories, and then two. designed to look like part of the window frames.
Inside the building, hollow-core makes up the ceilings of each Photo: Wells.

level. Those ceilings were left exposed and then painted. The pre-
cast concrete walls and floors eliminate sound transference be- While form repetition is often one of the key benefits of precast
tween units. “For multifamily housing, minimizing sound transfer- concrete, the cost efficiencies gained by repeating components can
ence is extremely beneficial,” says Dunne. Additional benefits to also lead to drab design. However, in the case of the Lucy Gonzales
residents include a tight building envelope with spray foam insula- Parsons Apartments, the design team maximized use of repeat-
tion on the inside of exterior walls to help ensure energy efficiency ing precast concrete components while still keeping the building
and lower resident utility costs. design vibrant and interesting through the use of faceted panels,
sculpted recesses, and bright coloration in repeating window pan-
els to avoid the feeling of a repetitive grid. Chung says the team
gained efficiency in the repetition of panel shapes and sizes by
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT repeating pattern panels on every other floor above the first two.
Landon says the recessed colored panels around the windows were
LUCY GONZALEZ PARSONS APARTMENTS designed to look like part of the window frames.

Location: Chicago, Ill. Shipslap Siding

The first two floors of the complex feature texturing that mim-
Size: 126,000 ft2 ics shiplap siding; Wells used formliners to achieve the textured
panels. “The use of formliners allowed for more variation on the
Cost: $40 million façade than we would have gotten with cast-in-place or even a
steel structure,” says Dunne, “which we believe resulted in a more
Architect: LBBA, Chicago, Ill.
visually appealing building.”
Owner: Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, Chicago, Ill.
Built to Last
Contractor: Linn-Mathes Inc., Chicago, Ill. LBBA has done a number of affordable housing projects and tries
to design buildings that blend with the neighborhood. “People
Structural Engineers: Nayyar and Nayyar International Inc., want a building that fits in and feels normal,” Landon says. “It’s re-
Chicago, Ill.; ally gratifying to do 100% affordable housing in a gentrified neigh-
Precast Concrete Specialty Engineers: Midwest Structure borhood. A lot of residents grew up here and have family in Logan
Engineering, West Allis, Wis. Square. The idea is to keep this neighborhood diverse.”
“[Logan Square] is becoming an expensive area, so people who
PCI-Certified Precast Concrete Producer: Wells, Albany, Minn.; have lived there their whole lives have had to move out,” says
Valders, Wis. and Crystal Lake, Ill. Chung. “Building the [Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments] was a
PCI-Certified Precast Concrete Erector: Creative Erectors, rewarding experience to remind us why we do what we do.”
Rockford, Ill. And with total–precast concrete, the residents will benefit from
long-term, low-maintenance durability. “You have the inherent
Precast Concrete Components: 573 pieces of hollow-core, benefit of the concrete plus low maintenance,” he says. “We want
337 wetcast walls, 45 stairs to build these buildings to last a long time,” Chung says.
 WEST PARK ELEMENTARY
KANSAS CITY, KANS. /// by Monica SchulteS
When Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) began to re-
place its outdated facilities, it targeted those with small class-
rooms and inadequate technology infrastructure and support
spaces. With its buildings long overdue for improvements, a no-
tax-increase bond package was approved by voters in the local
community.
In collaboration with the design team, a prototype was devel-
oped to replace several outdated schools with modern new facil-
ities. HTK Architects created a custom kit of parts for designing
and constructing elementary schools. When a new school was
needed, KCKPS tapped the expertise of HTK to apply the proto-
type economically and efficiently for each different site. Three
brand-new primary schools were completed based on the proto-
type, including West Park Elementary.
KCKPS recognized that existing locations could be reconfigured
to better serve the feeder patterns across the district. Ultimately,
KCKPS merged two elementary schools into a single one, West
Park Elementary. This was the most economical solution and ac-
commodated the needs of a shifting population. Elaborate and complex finishes on the
Using the precast concrete prototype, West Park Elementary precast concrete façade tie into distinct
functions within West Park Elementary
was located on the site of a former middle school and an existing School. The pod layout for each of the grade
elementary school. After the completion of a new middle school levels is similar, though the colors vary.
located on another site, students were shifted to the new loca- Photos: (Top) Enterprise Precast Concrete
and Jacia Phillips |ARCH photo KC;
tion and the old middle school was demolished to provide a clean (bottom) Colin MacMillan and
site for the construction of West Park Elementary. No students HTK Architects.
were displaced as the existing elementary school on-site was

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ASCENT, WINTER 2024
 has a north-south orientation down a hill. The main entrance
is identified by a large glass clerestory and a pattern of several
Right: Clerestory glazing colors of thin brick that clads the administration area on one
runs above the corridor
and brings in natural light. side, evoking a traditional red-brick schoolhouse.
The great hall takes On the opposite side, in contrast, the media center’s warm
advantage of the change tones and banded windows highlight the geometrics, making
in grade and enhances
the vertical experience of this area more playful. “Much of the building is about the shapes
a long, horizontal building. and textures of the precast concrete panels,” says Evrard. “The
two-story stacked classrooms have a red-brick base topped with
Below: The gymnasium
is designed as a FEMA- warm-tan panels, which help provide a beltline on the building.
compliant storm shelter. It tells a story of how it was built along its elevation, which is a
The lighting and colorful fun way to show different forms and offers opportunities to work
heating, ventilation,
and air-conditioning with the precast concrete finishes.”
systems are integrated
into the double-tee stems.
Photos: Colin MacMillan
FEMA Storm Shelter
and HTK Architects. Kansas City is prone to tornadoes and has experienced many se-
vere storms. The International Code Council’s (ICC’s) Internation-
al Building Code (based on ICC 500, ICC/NSSA Standard for the
Design and Construction of Storm Shelters) amended the require-
ments for educational buildings when it comes to safe rooms and
storm shelter classifications.
Educational buildings, including K-12 schools, in areas where
storms may experience winds of up to 250 mph must be designed
and constructed to protect students and staff. At West Park, with
the addition of double tees as the roof system, the gymnasium
and lunchroom serve as a storm shelter compliant with ICC 500
or the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s FEMA P361, Safe
Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes. The connections between
the precast concrete walls and double tees were beefed up to
comply with the requirements. The storm shelter requirement
was not mandated by the authority having jurisdiction at the
time, but HTK recommended that the storm shelter be included
as part of the project to anticipate future needs of educational
maintained during construction operations on the active cam- facilities.
pus. To minimize site disruption, the new school was situated to
complement the existing terrain and take advantage of an exist- Interiors and Natural Light
ing building footprint. KCKPS is proud of their buildings and wants them to last. To
withstand hundreds of backpacks and handprints, painted pre-
Precast Concrete Prototype cast concrete or concrete masonry unit walls line the interior for
“We developed the precast prototype for speed of construction, long-term durability.
durability, and cost effectiveness,” says James Evrard, director “One of the notable features on this project was achieved
of HTK Architects. “The modules, or kit of parts, are straight- through providing precast panels with dual finishes,” says Dirk
forward, which makes it easy to construct—especially for those McClure, director of business development at Enterprise Pre-
familiar with the system,” he adds. The precast concrete allowed cast Concrete. Along the interior corridor there are panels with
the building to be enclosed very quickly and the colors, textures, both exposed and retarder finishes on one side and a Grade A
and finishes available made the most sense for the school dis- ultra-smooth finish (in place of standard trowel finish) that was
trict’s needs. painted with vibrant colors.
With the long, low layout of the structure, precast concrete The great hall is a three-story volume that extends from the
enabled the design team to break up the main elevation and draw ground floor up to the clerestory. The long building incorporates
the eye to the distinct functions within the building. The school a larger gathering area, which is unique to this project. Upon en-
 PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
WEST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Location: Kansas City, Kans.

Architect: HTK Architects, Overland Park, Kans.

Owner: Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

Contractor: JE Dunn Construction, Kansas City, Mo.

Engineer: Bob D. Campbell & Co., Kansas City, Mo.

PCI-Certified Precast Producers: Enterprise Precast Concrete,

Omaha, Neb. (wall panels); Prestressed Casting Co.,
Springfield, Mo. (double tees)
PCI-Certified Erector: Building Erection Services,
Kansas City, Mo.
Elementary schools need to be cost-effective while
Precast Concrete Components: Insulated wall panels, they provide the best learning environment. These
double tees precast concrete prototype schools create a positive
impact on students and the broader community.
Photo: Colin MacMillan and HTK Architects.

tering the building, there is a large two-story entry with plentiful

natural light in corridors and central areas.
A double-loaded corridor also helps inform the circulation of
the building and the organization of the classes along the main This project featured complex aesthetics for a school. By find-
axis. The grades are neatly stacked one floor on top of the other, ing ways to efficiently use multiple finishes within the same pan-
which helps organize the classroom pods. Entrances to class- el, including thin brick, the project provided the owner with the
rooms are organized and broken up with distinct colors and ac- most cost-effective solution. Working against a tight schedule,
cents, with the kindergarten on the lower level adjacent to the and despite a major hiccup, the precast concrete construction
playground. was completed in just a few short months.
To provide the best possible learning environment and meet The hiccup occurred when the cast-in-place concrete contrac-
the schedule and budget, HTK Architects designed a precast con- tor who set footings and foundations misaligned weld plates
crete and steel structure that serves both student and commu- that would connect to the precast concrete wall panels. Through
nity needs. Precast concrete extends over the entries, providing post-pour coordination and a series of astute fixes, Enterprise
a clean span and modern vibe. The flex room is modern and clad was able to make changes to the precast concrete embeds that
with a black thin brick and dark gray matrix and turned on its side. allowed the system to work without tearing out the footings.
The precast concrete floats above a corner window. “There were some clever field modifications to make these work.
Vertical accent panels on the art room use precast concrete to Everyone was on board working together as a team to solve any
highlight its features, combining a red-brick blend with the dark problems,” says Molly Lyons, project manager with JE Dunn Con-
gray matrix and vertical components. All the modules use differ- struction.
ent methods to flip or mirror the accents as part of the overall School districts are demanding structures that feature
theme, says Evrard. high-performance design and technologies to enhance learning
yet can function during natural and man-made disasters. At the
Core and Shell same time, planning, design, construction, and operations have
Although this public project was design-bid-build, the core and tight budgets. Precast concrete enables communities to create
shell packages were released in advance to get key partners on modern schools that are more resilient to the benefit of all. Such
board early. Once the space was clearly defined, they were able to was the case for West Park Elementary, which is now comforta-
collaborate through the completion of construction documents ble, safe, and secure. The modern aesthetic also provides acous-
on the final precast concrete details. tic separation, solidity, durability, and fire resistance.

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 Four different colors of tumbled thin brick give a historic look, reminiscent of an old textile mill,
to 2825 South in Charlotte, N.C.’s thriving South End. A light gray, block-shaped formliner with
a medium sandblasted finish provides a sleek, modern aesthetic that blends with the
surrounding multifamily architecture. Photo: Metromont.

2825 SOUTH
CHARLOTTE, N.C. /// by SuSan baDy PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
2825 SOUTH
The 2825 South building is the first total–precast concrete design
in Charlotte, N.C.’s thriving South End neighborhood. Where- Location: Charlotte, N.C.
as skyscrapers dominate the horizon, 2825 South is a low-key,
Size: 138,780 ft2 (office); 20,440 ft2 (retail);
six-story office and retail structure, connected to a precast con-
435 parking spaces (structure)
crete parking structure. The Class-A office building overlooks the
downtown Charlotte skyline and includes four floors of office Designer: LS3P Architects, Charlotte, N.C.
space over two floors of retail.
The six-story silhouette, says Jeff Floyd of LS3P Architects, Owners: Marsh Properties and Aston Properties,
“feels right at home in the South End and is within walking dis- Charlotte, N.C.
tance of a light-rail [line] and multiple restaurants and brewer-
Contractor: Samet Corp., Charlotte, N.C.
ies.” Floyd, who is leader of LS3P’s Charlotte office as well as vice
president and principal, says that all office floors have flexible Engineer: WGPM, Charlotte, N.C.
floorplates, floor-to-ceiling glass windows along the perimeter,
and picturesque corner balconies. The adjacent two-level parking Precast Concrete Specialty Engineer: TRC Worldwide
structure offers 435 parking spaces for employees and visitors. Engineering, Brentwood, Tenn.
“It’s a great location,” says Steven Mortensen, sales and busi-
ness development manager for Metromont, the precast concrete
PCI-Certified Precast Concrete Producer: Metromont LLC,
producer. “Within walking distance there are [single-family]
Greenville, S.C.
homes, restaurants, offices, and brand-new multifamily with re- Precast Concrete Components: L beams, R beams, and T girders;
tail.” load-bearing and non-load-bearing spandrels; vertical Metrowalls
(litewalls); five different sizes of columns; 8- and 10-in.-thick
Nod to Neighborhood’s History horizontal and vertical wall panels; flat slabs; 12-in. shear walls;
The building’s exterior, with its architectural precast concrete architectural cladding pieces: six different profile types in corner
cladding, is a nod to the surrounding contemporary architecture (L), U, and flat pieces; stairs and landings; and factory-topped
and industrial history of the South End neighborhood. A light double tees (field-topped in the office portion)
gray, block-shaped formliner and a sandblasted finish provide a
 safer ,
HealtHier Work environment
The project team for 2825 South designed the project as a new,
healthier way to work in a post-pandemic office environment.
Building features include:
✚ touchless, automatic building entry doors,
✚ large, open main and elevator lobbies for social distancing,
✚ washable material finishes,
✚ wide, accessible stairwells with skylights and advanced
air-filtration systems,
✚ touchless elevator controls and destination dispatch,
✚ UV CleanAir elevator air sanitization and filtration system,
✚ touchless restroom doors and fixtures, and
✚ advanced HVAC and air-filtration systems.

The exterior of the two-level parking structure features

the same light gray, block-shaped formliner as the
adjoining office/retail structure, with a medium
Separate Structural and Architectural Components
sandblasted finish. Photo: Metromont. The project team used the exterior components as architectural
features.
“The things you can do with cladding are limited when you com-
bine the structural member with the architectural member,” says
Mortensen. “We made the structural members separate from the
sleek, modern aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the area’s architectural members, which allowed us to hold the latter to
multifamily buildings, says Floyd. The exterior of the parking tighter tolerances. When you have separate pieces like that, the
structure also features a light gray, block-shaped formliner. cladding has a lot more flexibility with the ins and outs, the thick-
Metromont’s Greenville, S.C., and Spartanburg, S.C., manufac- nesses, and the corners. It enabled us to provide the exterior look
turing plants produced 237,725 ft2 of structural precast concrete that [the client] wanted.”
and architectural precast concrete cladding for the design-build He continues, “There was a lot more use of storefront glass, in-
project. There are four different types of tumbled thin brick from cluding multilevel glass where an entire corner was glass and no
Endicott Brick and General Shale—desert sands light, desert cladding. We were able to do that because there was a structural
sands dark, schoolhouse, and train station—which give a historic member on the inside that served as the building frame. We were
look to the structure that is reminiscent of an old textile mill, able to achieve a lot of things by breaking those pieces up.”
Floyd says. COVID created issues in the design phase, Mortensen adds.
Precast concrete erection of 2825 South began in March 2021 The project was on hold at one point. However, the use of precast
and was completed in six months. concrete expedited the coordination of heating, ventilation, and
The project was originally going to be steel framed but was air-conditioning (HVAC) and other systems. “The biggest thing was
converted to precast concrete, says Mortensen. “During COVID, probably the scheduling, and how quickly we were able to bring in
everyone saw a lot of price increases and a significant increase in trades behind us and give them a safe working area. We were able
lead time,” he explains. “[With precast concrete], we were able to turn over portions of the build to the GC [general contractor] so
to frame it and price it competitively, and we were quicker with they could start doing what they needed to do.”
delivery. That included all the coordination and manufacturing, As Metromont worked through a variety of issues, Mortensen
and it eliminated a few trades.” reflects that because 2825 South is a total–precast concrete struc-
Converting the building from steel to precast concrete took a ture, “we controlled our own destiny in the sense of labor and lead
few years of collaboration between the architect and Metrom- time—when it was manufactured, shipped, and erected.”
ont’s Chris Rogers, vice president and general manager for the At press time, the project was completed except for the fitting
Carolinas. “The goal was to create something that could be rep- out of interior spaces by tenants. The fourth floor will be occupied
licated in other locations,” Mortensen says. “Obviously there will by the GC and part owner, Samet Corp.
be differences depending on site constraints and the area you’re Not every building works as a precast concrete structure, “But
building in, and there are things you can do to make the exterior if you can make it work from a cost and schedule perspective, and
look different, but the goal was to be able to say, ‘Greensboro you have the right team from the architect to the GC to the precast
needs this office and retail parking.’ The overall approach in fram- concrete producer, I think it’s beneficial and could be the future of a
ing allowed us to create something we could [repeat].” lot of buildings that we see,” Mortensen says. ●

Read the online version of Ascent at pic.org/ascent for another case study demonstrating how Precast Protects Life.

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 ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
SAFETY LANDMARK
NEW PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING HOUSES
COUNTY’S FIRST RESPONDERS
Every new building is important to those who live or work in it. But when
that building houses first responders and infrastructure that will be on
call when disaster strikes, the stakes become extraordinarily high.
The Bradford County (Pa.) Public Safety Building is not only used for 911 and emer-
gency management services and response activation, but it is also flexible and unique
to provide community areas for training, meetings, conferences, and events.
“The design team ensured us that our new facility could service the public during
the most dire circumstances while also creating flexible spaces for board meetings,
community events, training opportunities, and presentations that provide a central
location that enhances the community’s connections and opportunities,” said the di-
rector of emergency management services.
Precast concrete met all of the project’s goals, including resiliency, impact resist-
ance, traditional material for a secure building envelope, and aesthetically pleasing
facades with modern panels and control joints.

Precast concrete was heavily featured in the Bradford County Public Safety Building in Pennsylvania.
Photos: HUNT-EAS
 PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
BRADFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
Location: Towanda, Pa.

Architect: Hunt-EAS

Owner: Bradford County, Pa.

Engineer of Record: Hunt-EAS:

Contractor: J.C. Orr and Son Inc.

See more details and photos of this project at PCI’s
PCI-Certified Precast Concrete Producer: High Concrete Group
website, where you can also find hundreds of other
precast concrete projects in the United States. PCI-Certified Erector: High Structural Erectors LLC
Precast Concrete Components: Eighty-seven architectural precast
concrete insulated wall panels totaling 19,074 square feet, using
C-grid insulation system. Panel sizes range from 12- by 3-ft to
12- by 39-ft. All panels are 9 in. thick.

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AWARDS 2023 SIDNEY
FREEDMAN AWARD
FLORIDA HOUSE OF WORSHIP RECEIVES
CRAFTSMANSHIP HONOR
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple in Tallahassee, Fla.,
has been honored with the 2023 Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship Award.
Established in 2011, the Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship Award recognizes
PCI-certified plants for unique solutions and excellence in manufacturing and
craftsmanship of architectural precast concrete and glass-fiber-reinforced
concrete structures and individual components.

GATE Precast Company in Monroeville, Ala., manufactured the

winning project’s precast concrete. Church officials chose archi-
tectural precast concrete because it met the quality and resiliency
requirements for its one-story, 29,000 ft2 temple. The design fea-
tures a central spire that gives the impression of a taller structure.
The stone-like exterior features four-sided columns, large cor-
nices, and intricate lettering. The project is a prime example of
precast concrete’s ability to emulate any architectural style. The
ivory-colored exterior is consistent in color and texture, and ex-
ceptionally sharp lines were achieved with the glass-blast finish.
Computer-numerical molds and hand-crafted molds and form-
liner pieces, combined with flawless execution by the precast
concrete producer, produced intricate panels that achieved the
desired aesthetic.
“The overall look of the structure from a distance shows good
consistency of color and texture,” said Ed Knowles, vice president
of Walters & Wolf Precast and a member of the award jury. “When
you view the precast concrete panels closely, the detail becomes
very apparent. There is a high degree of detail in all the features
GATE Precast in Monroeville, Ala., received the 2023 Sidney and lettering, and there are many intricate shapes and details that
Freedman Craftsmanship Award for supplying the architectural
precast concrete for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day were well-coordinated and produced. Overall, this project is a very
Saints Temple in Tallahassee, Fla. Photo: GATE Precast Company. impressive example of architectural precast concrete.”

The deadline To submiT enTries for The 2024 award is July 19. for more informaTion, VisiT pci.org/SFcA.
 February 6 – 9
registration now open

for more information, viSit Pci.org or contact eventS@Pci.org.

UNIVERSITY
PROFILE

PRECAST
CONCRETE
COLLABORATION
ACROSS THE
PACIFIC
BY AXEL SCHMITZBERGER AND BUNDIT KANISTHAKHON

In the evolving world of architectural education, partnerships and

collaborations between universities are at the forefront of innova-
tion. Recently, the Precast Studio at the California State Polytechnic
University Pomona (CalPoly Pomona) School of Architecture em-
barked on a unique journey across the Pacific Ocean to partner with
the University of Hawaii. The result was a transformative learning
experience for students that transcended cultural boundaries and
fostered a hands-on, material-based learning environment.
Both universities’ studios are sponsored by the PCI Foundation.
This collaboration aimed to explore the cultural, demographic, and
site-related differences in each environment while enabling students
to bridge these gaps in their architectural endeavors.

University of Hawaii students in front of the Broad contemporary

art museum in Downtown Los Angeles. A famous example of
architectural precast concrete, it won the 2014 PCI Sidney
Freedman Craftsmanship Award. Photos: Bundit Kanisthakhon.
Cross-Pollination
Leading this initiative were professor Axel Schmitzberger from
CalPoly Pomona’s College of Environmental Design, Department
of Architecture, and assistant professor Bundit Kanisthakhon
from the University of Hawaii’s School of Architecture. While
both institutions conducted individual studios, they cross-polli-
nated their programs, encouraging students to share their work,
embark on field trips, and engage in a cultural exchange.
Students visited local precast concrete producers in South-
ern California, including Coreslab Structures (LA), and GPRM
Prestress LLC in Honolulu, Hawaii. These visits unveiled striking
similarities in some respects, and substantial differences in oth-
ers. The producers’ approaches to local conditions, such as ag-
gregate selection, job volume, and finishing techniques, varied
significantly. The facilities themselves diverged in their produc-
tion methods and product ranges, with the Southern Californian
manufacturer focusing on larger volumes while Hawaii offered a
broader product spectrum. Climate influenced both production
processes and product specifications. Transportation challenges
left a mark on the students’ final project proposals.
This exchange led to a collaborative effort among teams of
students in the latter half of the studio. Representatives from
precast concrete producers and PCI West advised and consulted
with the students.
Plant manager Larry Bohne gives University of Hawaii
Learning in the Field students a tour of the Coreslab plant in Los Angeles.
The field trips were among the most valuable experiences, ex-
posing the students to new environments, diverse cultures, and
a rich tapestry of architectural styles. The local partners brought
an additional layer of insight into the practice of working with and Hawaii. Precast concrete emerged as the primary structural
precast concrete—knowledge that is often challenging to convey and building material, given its resilience to impacts and its suit-
in a purely academic setting. ability for coastal environments. Hawaiian material scarcity and
As one student said, the studio offered “the freedom to explore environmental fragility further underscored the need for precast
spaces in a more creative way and not the typical way of teaching. concrete as the primary building material. These projects ranged
I liked how hands-on and how free-formed the class was; it was from parking structures to community buildings, establishing a
pretty interesting, and I had fun with it.” direct link to the communities they serve.
One of the most productive areas of exchange was the op- In this collaboration, students from CalPoly Pomona and the
portunity to experience examples of historical precast concrete University of Hawaii transcended cultural and geographic bound-
structures, which was particularly accessible in Honolulu due to aries to explore the world of precast concrete, leaving an indel-
the compact urban environment and prevalence of such exam- ible mark on their architectural education and the communities
ples. In California, the University of Hawaii students visited some they will one day shape with their innovative designs.
of the most outstanding and exceptional contemporary precast
concrete production facilities in the Los Angeles area. Axel Schmitzberger is a professor of architecture at the
The students’ projects addressed aspects of the building’s life- CalPoly Pomona College of Environmental Design.
cycle, construction, and climatic impact. They were tasked with Bundit Kanisthakhon is an associate professor of design
developing coastal emergency buildings to counteract tsunamis and construction and tropical architecture in the School
and coastal erosion—a topic especially relevant to the West Coast of Architecture at the University of Hawaii at Manona.

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PCI-CERTIFIED PLANTS DIRECTORY AS OF JANUARY 2024
Visit pci.org for the most up-to-date listing of PCI-Certified Plants.

When it comes to quality, GROUPS

why take chances? > GROUP A – ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS
When you need precast or precast, prestressed CATEGORY AT – ARCHITECTURAL TRIM UNITS
concrete products, choose a PCI-Certified Plant. Wet-cast, nonprestressed products with a high standard of finish quality and of relatively small size
You’ll get confirmed capability—a proven plant with that can be installed with equipment of limited capacity such as sills, lintels, coping, cornices,
a quality assurance program you can count on. quoins, medallions, bollards, benches, planters, and pavers.
Whatever your needs, working with a plant that is CATEGORY AD – ARCHITECTURAL PRECAST PRODUCTS
PCI-certified in the product groups it produces will Includes structural products with an architectural finish such as plant applied finishes, formliners,
benefit you and your project. brick veneers or extruded profiles.
• You’ll find easier identification of plants
CATEGORY AC – ARCHITECTURAL PRECAST PRODUCTS
prepared to fulfill special needs. Includes primarily cladding or non-load bearing products with architectural finishes such as plant
• You’ll deal with established producers— applied finishes, formliners, brick veneers or extruded profiles, as well as products in Categories AT
many certified for more than 30 years. and AD.
• Using quality products, construction crews
CATEGORY AB – ARCHITECTURAL PRECAST PRODUCTS
can get the job done right the first time, Includes primarily cladding or non-load bearing products with multiple concrete mixes and textures,
keeping labor costs down. a variety of three-dimensional projections, radius mold surfaces, or sequential returns, as well as
• Quality products help construction proceed products in Categories AT, AD, and AC.
smoothly, expediting project completion.
CATEGORY AA – ARCHITECTURAL PRECAST PRODUCTS
Includes primarily cladding or non-load bearing products with multiple concrete mixes and textures,
Guide Specification a variety of three-dimensional projections, radius mold surfaces, sequential returns, and most
To be sure that you are getting the full benefit of the
stringent product and installation tolerances, as well as products in Categories AT, AD, AC and AB.
PCI Plant Certification Program, use the following
guide specification for your next project:
> GROUP B – BRIDGES
“Manufacturer Qualification: The precast con-
Please note for Group B, Category B1: Some precast concrete products such as highway
crete manufacturing plant shall be certified by the
median barriers, box culverts, and three-sided arches are not automatically included in routine
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Plant Certifi- plant audits. They may be included at the request of the precast concrete producer or if required
cation Program. Manufacturer shall be certified at by the project specifications.
time of bidding. Certification shall be in thefollowing
CATEGORY B1 – PRECAST CONCRETE BRIDGE PRODUCTS
product group(s) and category(ies): [Select appropri-
Mild-steel-reinforced precast concrete elements that include some types of bridge beams or slabs,
ate groups and categories (AA, AB, AC, AD, or AT), sheet piling, pile caps, retaining-wall elements, parapet walls, sound barriers, and box culverts.
(B1,2,3, or 4), (C1,2,3, or 4), (G)].”
CATEGORY B2 – PRESTRESSED MISCELLANEOUS BRIDGE PRODUCTS

Product Groups and Categories Any precast, prestressed element excluding super-structure beams. Includes piling, sheet piling,
The PCI Plant Certification Program is focused around retaining wall elements, stay-in-place bridge deck panels, and products in Category B1.
four groups of products, designated A, B, C, and G. CATEGORY B3 – PRESTRESSED STRAIGHT-STRAND BRIDGE MEMBERS
Products in Group A are audited to the standards in Includes all superstructure elements such as box beams, I-beams, bulb tees, stemmed members,
MNL–117. Products in Groups B and C are audited to the solid slabs, full-depth bridge deck slabs, and products in Categories B1 and B2.
standards in MNL–116. Products in Group G are audited CATEGORY B4 – PRESTRESSED DEFLECTED-STRAND BRIDGE MEMBERS
according to the standards in MNL–130. The standards Includes all products covered in Categories B1, B2, and B3.
referenced above are found in the following manuals:
• MNL–116 Manual for Quality Control for Plants > GROUP C – COMMERCIAL (STRUCTURAL)
and Production of Structural Precast Concrete
CATEGORY C1 – PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTS
Products Mild-steel-reinforced precast concrete elements including sheet piling, pile caps, piling, retaining
• MNL–117 Manual for Quality Control for Plants and wall elements, floor and roof slabs, joists, stairs, seating members, columns, beams, walls,
Production of Architectural Precast Concrete spandrels, etc.
Products
CATEGORY C2 – PRESTRESSED HOLLOW-CORE AND REPETITIVE PRODUCTS
• MNL–130 Manual for Quality Control for Plants and Standard shapes made in a repetitive process prestressed with straight strands. Included are
Production of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete hollowcore slabs, railroad ties, flat slabs, poles, wall panels, and products in Category C1.
Products
CATEGORY C3 – PRESTRESSED STRAIGHT-STRAND STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
Within Groups A, B, and C are categories that identify
Includes stemmed members, beams, columns, joists, seating members, and products in
product types and the product capability of the individual Categories C1 and C2.
plant. The categories reflect similarities in the ways in
CATEGORY C4 – PRESTRESSED DEFLECTED-STRAND STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
which the products are produced. The A categories are in
Includes stemmed members, beams, joists, and products in Categories C1, C2, and C3.
descending order (AB is certified for AB, AC and AD
whereas AD is only certified for AD). Yet, B4 is certified in
all B categories and B1 is only certified in B1. So, B1 is the > GROUP G – GLASS-FIBER-REINFORCED CONCRETE (GFRC)
These products are reinforced with glass fibers that are randomly dispersed through-out the
‘basic level’ and AD is the ‘basic level.’ Going for AA to AD
product and are made by spraying a cement/sand slurry onto molds. This produces thin-walled,
would be descending levels of complexity and B1 to B4
lightweight cladding panels.
would be ascending levels of capability.
 AS OF JANUARY 2024 PCI-CERTIFIED PLANTS DIRECTORY
Visit pci.org for the most up-to-date listing of PCI-Certified Plants.

> ALABAMA > D E L AWA R E County Prestress & Precast,

Castone Corporation AA Concrete Building Systems of Delmar, LLC B3, C3 LLC - Salem, IL B4, B4-IL, C4
Opelika, (334) 745-3571 Delmar, (302) 846-3645 Salem, (618) 548-1190
Contech Engineered Solutions B4, C4 Rocla Concrete Tie Inc. C2 County Prestress, LLC - Romeoville, IL AC, C3
Pelham, (205) 663-4681 Bear, (302) 836-5304 Romeoville, (815) 795-6161
Gate Precast Company AA, C4 Dukane Precast, Inc. AC, B3, B3-IL, C3
> F LO R I DA
Monroeville, (251) 575-2803 Aurora, (630) 355-8118
Building Blocks Kissimmee G
Dukane Precast, Inc. C3
> ARIZONA Kissimmee, (321) 243-9960
Naperville, (630) 355-8118
Coreslab Structures (ARIZ) Inc. AC B4, C4 Colonial Precast Concrete LLC C2
Dukane Precast, Inc. C3
Phoenix, (602) 237-3875 Placida, (941) 698-4180
Plainfield, (815) 230-4760
EnCon Arizona, LLC dba Tpac AC, B4, C4 Coreslab Structures (MIAMI) Inc. AA, C4
ICCI Illini Concrete, LLC B3, B3-IL
Phoenix, (602) 262-1360 Medley, (305) 823-8950
Tremont, (309) 275-6693
Stinger Bridge & Iron B4 Coreslab Structures (ORLANDO) Inc. C2
Lombard Architectural Precast
Coolidge, (520) 723-5383 Okahumpka, (407) 855-3190
Products Company AA, C2
Coreslab Structures (TAMPA) Inc. A B, B 3 , C 3
> A R K A N S AS Alsip, (708) 389-1060
Tampa, (813) 626-1141
Coreslab Structures (ARK) Inc. AD, C4 Mid-States Concrete Industries LLC AC, B3, B3-IL, C3
Dura-Stress Inc. B4, C4
Conway, (501) 329-3763 South Beloit, (800) 236-1072
Leesburg, (352) 787-1422
> CALIFORNIA St. Louis Prestress, Inc. C3
Finfrock Industries LLC AC , C 3
Bethlehem Construction Inc. Glen Carbon, (618) 656-8934
AC, C3 Apopka, (407) 293-4000
Wasco, (661) 758-1001 Utility Concrete Products LLC B2, C2
Finfrock Industries South Florida C3
Clark Pacific - Adelanto Morris, (815) 416-0900
AA, C4, G Belle Glade, (407) 293-4000
Adelanto, (626) 962-8751 Wells - Crystal Lake AA, C3
Gate Precast Company AD, B 4 , C 3
Clark Pacific - Fontana Crystal Lake, (815) 215-8230
AA, C1, G Jacksonville, (904) 757-0860
Fontana, (909) 823-1433 Gate Precast Company AA, B2, C3 > INDIANA
Clark Pacific - Woodland AA, B3, C4 Kissimmee, (407) 847-5285 ATMI Indy AD, C2
Woodland, (530) 207-4100 International Casting Corp. C4 Greenfield, (317) 891-6280
Con-Fab California, LLC B4, C4 Doral, (305) 558-3515 Bristol Group, Inc. C3
Lathrop, (209) 249-4700 Leesburg Concrete Company Inc. C2 Charlerstown, (859) 361-1498
Con-Fab California, LLC B4, C4 Leesburg, (352) 787-4177 Coreslab Structures (INDIANAPOLIS) Inc. AB, C3
Shafter, (661) 630-7162 Metromont Corporation AA, C3 Indianapolis, (317) 353-2118
Coreslab Structures (LA) Inc. AA, B4, C4 Bartow, (863) 440-5400 County Prestress LLC - Whitestown, IN C2
Perris, (951) 943-9119 Precast Specialties, LLC C3 Whitestown, (317) 769-5503
CTU Precast AC, B3, C3 Fort Pierce, (772) 266-5701 F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. Inc. A, S2
Olivehurst, (530) 749-6501 Standard Concrete Products Inc. B4, C3 Indianapolis, (317) 359-5411
Dragados Flatiron Joint Venture - Tampa, (813) 831-9520 Precast Specialties AC
Precast Plant B3 Structural Prestressed Industries Inc. C4 Monroeville, (260) 623-6131
Hanford, (626) 272-6930 Medley, (305) 556-6699 Prestress Services
Jensen Precast - Fontana B1, C1 Industries LLC - Decatur Plant B4, B4-IL, C4
Fontana, (909) 429-4111 > GEORGIA
Decatur, (260) 724-7117
Kie-Con Inc. Atlanta Structural Concrete Co. AC, C 4
B4, C4 StresCore Inc. C2
Antioch, (925) 754-9494 Buchanan, (770) 646-1888
South Bend, (574) 233-1117
Oldcastle Infrastructure Inc. C2
Coreslab Structures (ATLANTA) Inc. C2
Jonesboro, (770) 471-1150 > I OWA
Fontana, (909) 428-3700
Metromont Corporation AA, C3 Advanced Precast Company AB, C3
Oldcastle Infrastructure Inc. C2
Hiram, (770) 943-8688 Dyersville, (563) 875-2615
Stockton, (209) 466-4212
Spring Precast LLC AA, C1 Rinker Materials B4, C4
Precast Unlimited Inc. AC, B1, C1
Cobb, (229) 591-7009 Iowa Falls, (641) 648-2579
Redding, (530) 243-6477
Standard Concrete Products Inc. B4 MPC Enterprises, Inc. AA, B3, C3
StructureCast AA, B3, C3
Atlanta, (404) 792-1600 Mount Pleasant, (319) 986-2226
Bakersfield, (661) 833-4490
Standard Concrete Products Inc. B4, C4 PDM Precast Inc. AC, C3
Walters & Wolf Precast AA, G
Savannah, (912) 233-8263 Des Moines, (515) 243-5118
Fremont, (510) 226-9800
Tindall Corporation, Georgia Division A B, C 3 Prestress Services Industries, LLC A1, C3
Willis Construction Company Inc -
Conley, (404) 366-6270 Dyersville, (563) 744-3909
San Juan Bautista Plant AA, C1, G
Rail One USA Clinton Plant C2
San Juan Bautista, (831) 623-2900 > H AWA I I
Clinton, (563) 522-2795
> C O LO R A D O GPRM Prestress, LLC B4, C4
Kapolei, (808) 682-6000 > K A N S AS
EnCon Colorado, LLC AC, B4, C3
American Concrete Products of Kansas, LLC B1, C1
Denver, (303) 287-4312 > I DA H O
Kansas City, (402) 331-5775
Plum Creek Structures B4, C3 CXT Incorporated - Nampa C1
Coreslab Structures (KANSAS) Inc. B4, C4
Littleton, (303) 471-1569 Nampa, (208) 800-6200
Kansas City, (913) 287-5725
Rocla Concrete Tie Inc. C2 Contech Engineered Solutions AC , B 4 , C 4
Crossland Prefab LLC AD, C3
Pueblo, (719) 569-4003 Caldwell, (208) 454-8116
Columbus, (620) 429-1414
Stresscon Corporation AA, B4, C4 Teton Prestress Concrete, LLC B4, C3
Fabcon - Pleasanton, KS AC, C3
Colorado Springs, (719) 390-5041 Idaho Falls, (208) 552-6606
Pleasanton, (913) 937-3021
Wells - Brighton AA, C4
> ILLINOIS Enterprise Precast Concrete of Kansas, LLC AC, C3
Brighton, (303) 480-1111
ATMI Precast AC , C 3 Kansas City, (913) 287-4342
> CONNECTICUT Aurora, (630) 896-4679 Prestressed Concrete Construction, LLC AC, B4, C4
Blakeslee Prestress Inc. A B, B 4 , C 4 AVAN Precast Concrete Products Inc. A D, C 3 Newton, (316) 283-2277
Branford, (203) 481-5306 Lynwood, (708) 757-6200 Stress-Cast Inc. AD, C3
Coreslab Structures (CONN) Inc. AA, B3, C3 County Prestress & Precast, LLC - Assaria, (785) 667-3905
Thomaston, (860) 283-8281 Champaign, IL B3, B3-IL
United Concrete Products Inc. B3, C3 Champaign, (217) 352-4181
Yalesville, (203) 269-3119
39
ASCENT, WINTER 2024
 PCI-CERTIFIED PLANTS DIRECTORY AS OF JANUARY 2024
Visit pci.org for the most up-to-date listing of PCI-Certified Plants.

> KENTUCKY Jackson Precast, Inc. AB, C1 > N O RT H C A R O L I N A

de AM-RON Building Systems, LLC AD, B3, C3 Jackson, (601) 321-8787 Coastal Precast Systems, LLC B4, C2
Owensboro, (270) 684-6226 Tindall Corporation, Mississippi Division AA, C3 Wilmington, (910) 444-4682
Prestress Services Industries, Moss Point, (228) 246-0800 Gate Precast Company AA, C3
LLC - Lexington Plant B4, C4 Oxford, (919) 603-1633
> MISSOURI
Lexington, (859) 299-0461 Prestress of the Carolinas B4, C4
Coreslab Structures (MISSOURI) Inc. AC, B4, C4
> LO U I S I A N A Marshall, (660) 886-3306 Charlotte, (704) 587-4273
Alfred Miller Contracting C3 County Prestress & Precast, LLC - Utility Precast Inc. B3
Lake Charles, (337) 312-9302 Bonne Terre, MO B4
Concord, (704) 721-0106
Boykin Brothers, LLC B4, C3 Bonne Terre, (573) 358-2773 > OHIO
Baton Rouge, (225) 753-8722 Mid America Precast Inc. AA, B1, C3 DBS Prestress of Ohio C2
dp Concrete Products, LLC B2, C2 Fulton, (573) 642-6400 Huber Heights, (937) 878-8232
Vinton, (337) 433-3900 Prestressed Casting Co. - Ozark Plant C3 Encore Precast, LLC B3
F-S Prestress, LLC - Princeton B4, C4
Ozark, (417) 869-7350 Dayton, (513) 726-5678
Princeton, (318) 949-2444 Prestressed Casting Co. - Springfield Plant AC, C3 Fabcon - Grove City, OH AC, C3
> MAINE Springfield, (417) 869-7350 Grove City, (952) 890-4444
Superior Concrete, LLC B2, C1
> M O N TA N A High Concrete Group LLC AA, C3
Auburn, (207) 784-1388 Springboro, (937) 748-2412
Rinker Materials B4, C3
> M A RY L A N D Billings, (406) 656-1601 Lindsay Precast C3

Larry E. Knight, Inc. C2 Missoula Concrete Construction AC, B3, C3

Canal Fulton, (330) 854-4511
Reisterstown, (410) 833-7800 Missoula, (406) 549-9682 Mack Industries Inc. B3, C3

Nelson Precast AC, C1 Valley City, (330) 460-7005

Baltimore, (410) 522-7190
> N E B R AS K A Mack Industries Inc. B3A,C3
American Concrete Products Co. B1, C1 Vienna, (330) 638-7680
> M AS S AC H U S E TT S Valley, (402) 991-2635 Prestress Services Industries
Precast Specialties Corp. AC Concrete Industries, Inc. AD, B4, C4 of Ohio LLC - Mt. Vernon Plant AC, B4, C3
Abington, (781) 878-7220 Lincoln, (402) 441-4407 Mt. Vernon, (740) 393-1121
Unistress Corp. AC, B4, C4 Coreslab Structures (OMAHA) Inc. AA, B4, C4 Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc. C2
Pittsfield, (413) 629-2039 LaPlatte, (402) 291-0733 Sciotoville, (740) 776-3238
Vynorius Prestress Inc. B2, C2 Enterprise Precast Concrete, Inc. AA, C2 Sidley Precast Group AC, C3
Salisbury, (978) 462-7765 Omaha, (402) 895-3848 Thompson, (800) 536-3232
> MICHIGAN > N E VA DA > OKLAHOMA
Fabcon - Grandville, MI AC, B3, C3
TBC - The Boring Company, Kyle Canyon Precast C1 Arrowhead Precast, LLC (NAPCO) AC, C3
Grandville, (616) 224-6176 Las Vegas, (209) 485-6474
Fabcon - Trenton, MI C3
Broken Arrow, (918) 995-2227
Western Pacific Precast LLC B4, C3 Coreslab Structures (OKLA) Inc.
Trenton, (616) 224-6176
Sloan, (702) 623-4484 (Plant 1) AC, C4
International Precast Solutions, LLC AA, B3, C3
River Rouge, (313) 843-0073 > NEW HAMPSHIRE Oklahoma City, (405) 632-4944
Peninsula Prestress Company B4, C2 Newstress Inc. B3, C3 Coreslab Structures (OKLA) Inc.
Clarksville, (517) 206-4775 Epsom, (603) 736-9000 (Plant 2) B3, C3
Upper Peninsula Concrete Pipe Co., Inc. B3 Oklahoma City, (405) 672-2325
> NEW JERSEY Coreslab Structures (TULSA) Inc. B3, C3
Escanaba, (906) 786-0934
Boccella Precast, LLC C2 Tulsa, (918) 438-0230
> M I N N E S OTA Berlin, (856) 767-3861
Crest Precast, Inc. AD, B3, C3 Jersey Precast AD, B4, C4 > OREGON
La Crescent, (800) 658-9045 Hamilton Township, (609) 689-3700 Knife River Prestress AC, B4, C4
Fabcon - Savage, MN AC, C3 Northeast Precast - Vineland AC, B3, C3 Harrisburg, (541) 918-5100
Savage, (952) 890-4444 Vineland, (856) 699-2557 RB Johnson Company B4, C3
Rinker Materials B4, C2 Precast Systems, Inc. B4, C4 McMinnville, (503) 472-2430
Elk River, (763) 441-2124 Allentown, (609) 208-1987 > P E N N SY LVA N I A
Molin Concrete Products Company AC, C3
SJC B2. C2 Architectural Precast Innovations, Inc. AA, C3
Lino Lakes, (651) 786-7722 Pedricktown, (609) 208-1987 Middleburg, (570) 837-1774
Molin Concrete Products Company AB, C1
> NEW MEXICO Brayman Precast, LLC B3, C1
Ramsey, (651) 786-7722
Castillo Prestress Saxonburg, (724) 352-5600
Taracon Precast C3 B4, C4
Belen, (505) 864-0238 Concrete Construction Systems, LLC AC, B3, C3
Hawley, (218) 498-0221
Coreslab Structures Bethel, (717) 933-4107
Wells - Albany AA, C3
(ALBUQUERQUE) Inc. Conewago Precast Building Systems AC, C3
Albany, (800) 658-7049 B4, C4
Albuquerque, (505) 247-3725 Hanover, (717) 632-8240
Wells - Rosemount C4
Dutchland, LLC C3
Rosemount, (507) 380-6772 > N E W YO R K Gap, (717) 442-1463
Wells - Wells AA, C4
David Kucera, Inc. AT Fabcon - Mahanoy City, PA AC, C3
Wells, (507) 553-3138 Gardiner, (845) 255-1044 Mahanoy City, (952) 890-4444
> MISSISSIPPI Fabcon - Selkirk, NY AD, B3, C3 High Concrete Group, LLC AA, C3
F-S Prestress, LLC - Hattiesburg B4, C4 Selkirk, (518) 767-2116 Denver, (717) 336-9300
Hattiesburg, (601) 268-2006 Tenflex Corporation G J & R Slaw, Inc. AC, B3, C3
Gulf Coast Pre-Stress Partners, Ltd. B4, C4 Gardiner, (845) 255-1044 Lehighton, (610) 852-2020
Pass Christian, (228) 452-9486 The Fort Miller Co., Inc. AC, B1, C1 Nitterhouse Concrete Products, Inc. AB, C3
J.J. Ferguson Prestress-Precast Inc. B4 Greenwich, (518) 695-5000 Chambersburg, (717) 267-4505
Greenwood, (662) 453-5451 The L.C. Whitford Materials Co., Inc. B4, C3 Northeast Prestressed Products, LLC B4, C3
Wellsville, (585) 593-2741 Cressona, (570) 385-2352
 AS OF JANUARY 2024 PCI-CERTIFIED PLANTS DIRECTORY
Visit pci.org for the most up-to-date listing of PCI-Certified Plants.

PENNSTRESS, MANCO STRUCTURES, LTD. AD, C4 > WISCONSIN

a division of MacInnis Group, LLC AC, B4, C4 Schertz, (210) 690-1705 County Prestress & Precast, LLC -
Roaring Spring, (814) 695-2016 NAPCO Precast, LLC AC, C4 Janesville, WI B4, B4-IL
Say-Core, Inc. C2 San Antonio, (210) 424-4377 Janesville, (608) 373-0950
Portage, (814) 736-8018 Redondo Manufacturing AA, C3 County Prestress & Precast, LLC -
Sidley Precast Group C3 Converse, (210) 661-8474 Roberts, WI B4, C3
Youngwood, (724) 755-0205 Texas Concrete Partners, LP B4, C4 Roberts, (800) 426-1126
Universal Concrete Products Corp. AA, C3 Elm Mott, (254) 822-1351 County Prestress, LLC - Burlington, WI AC. B4, C3
Stowe, (610) 323-0700 Texas Concrete Partners, LP B4, C4 Burlington, (262) 767-8700
> S O U T H C A RO L I N A Victoria, (361) 573-9145 Huffcutt Concrete LLC AC, C1

Florence Concrete Products, Inc. AC, B4, C3 Tindall Corporation, Texas Division AC, C3 Chippewa Falls, (715) 723-7446
Sumter, (803) 775-4372 San Antonio, (210) 248-2345 International Concrete Products, Inc. AA, C2
Valley Prestress Products, Inc. B2 Germantown, (262) 242-7840
Faddis Concrete Products B3, C3
Houston, (713) 455-6098 MidCon Products, Inc. AC, C1
Richburg, (540) 419-6363
Valley Prestress Products, Inc. B4 Hortonville, (920) 779-4032
Metromont Corporation AA, C3
Eagle Lake, (979) 234-7899 Stonecast Products, Inc. AA, C3
Greenville, (864) 605-5000
Germantown, (262) 253-6600
Metromont Corporation C3 > U TA H Wells - Valders AB, B4, C3
Spartanburg, (864) 605-5063 Contech Engineered Solutions AC, B4, C4
Valders, (920) 775-4121
MST Concrete Products Inc. B3 Salt Lake City, (801) 966-1060
Central, (864) 972-4720 Olympus Precast AB, B3, C3 > W YO M I N G
Smith-Midland Corporation B2, C2 Bluffdale, (801) 571-5041 voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak C2
Hopkins, (803) 708-2222 Cheyenne, (509) 220-6837
Tekna Corporation B4, C3
> VERMONT
Joseph P. Carrara & Sons Inc. B4, C3 > MEXICO
Charleston, (843) 853-9118 DURA ART STONE - TECATE PLANT AB, C1, G
Tindall Corporation, South Carolina Division AB, C3
Middlebury, (802) 388-6361
Dailey Precast, LLC AC, B3, C3 Tecate BC, (310) 467-4082
Spartanburg, (864) 576-3230 Willis de Mexico - Tecate Plant AA, C1, G
Shaftsbury, (802) 442-4418
> S O U T H DA KOTA Tecate BC, MX 52, (665) 655-2222
Collins Precast LLC (Iroquois Plant) AC, C3 > V I RG I N I A
Atlantic Metrocast, Inc. B4, C4 > C A N A DA
Iroquois, (605) 625-3121
Rinker Materials B4 Portsmouth, (757) 397-2317 BRITISH COLUMBIA
Rapid City, (605) 343-1450 Coastal Precast Systems LLC 3 B4, C3 APS Precast, a division of
Gage Bros. Concrete Products, Inc. AA, B4, C4 Cape Charles, (757) 545-5215 C&S Group Operations Ltd. AA, B4, C3
Sioux Falls, (605) 336-1180 Coastal Precast Systems, LLC B4, C3 Langley, (604) 888-1968
SteinBauer LLC AC, C3 Chesapeake, (757) 545-5215 M A N I TO B A
Faulkton, (605) 324-3302 Hessian Company LTD CanTerra Precast C3
T/A Faddis Concrete Products B2, C2 Darlingford, (204) 246-2639, ext 254
> TENNESSEE King George, (540) 775-4546
Construction Products LLC of TN B4, C4 HRCP Precast Plant B4
NEW BRUNSWICK
Jackson, (731) 668-7305 Chesapeake, (305) 796-8749 Strescon Limited - Saint John Plant AB, B4, C4
Gate Precast Company AA, C3
Metromont Corporation AC, C3
Saint John, (506) 633-8877
Ashland City, (615) 792-4871 Richmond, (804) 605-5013 N OVA S C OT I A
Mid South Prestress, LLC C3
Rockingham Precast, Inc. B4 Strescon Limited, Bedford Plant B4, C4
Pleasant View, (615) 746-6606 Harrisonburg, (540) 433-8282 Bedford, (902) 494-7400
Ross Prestressed Concrete, Inc. B4, C3
Shockey Precast, a Metromont Company AA, C4 O N TA R I O
Bristol, (865) 524-1585 Winchester, (540) 401-0101
Ross Prestressed Concrete, Inc. B4, C4
Global Precast Inc. AC
Smith-Midland Corporation AA, B2, C2 Maple, (905) 832-4307
Knoxville, (865) 524-1485 Midland, (540) 439-3266 Prestressed Systems Inc. B4, C4
> T E X AS Tindall Corporation, Virginia Division AB, C3 Oldcastle, (519) 737-1216
American Concrete Products of Texas, LLC B3, C3 Petersburg, (804) 861-8447
QUEBEC
Dallas, (214) 631-7006
> WAS H I N G TO N Beton Prefabrique du Richelieu AC, B1, C1
Coreslab Structures (TEXAS) Inc. AA, C4
Bellingham Marine Industries, Inc. - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, (450) 346-4481
Cedar Park, (512) 250-0755
NW Division B1, C1 Betons Prefabriques
CXT, Incorporated - Precast Buildings B1, C1
Ferndale, (360) 380-2142 Duc Lac Inc. - Bombadier Plant AC, C2
Hillsboro, (254) 296-6114
Bethlehem Construction, Inc. B1, C3 Alma, (418) 668-6161
East Texas Precast AC, C4
Cashmere, (509) 782-1001 Betons Prefabriques Duc Lac Inc. -
Hempstead, (281) 463-0654
Concrete Technology Corporation B4, C4 Papeterie Plant AC, C3, G
Enterprise Precast Concrete of Texas, LLC AA, C3
Tacoma, (253) 383-3545 Alma, (418) 668-6161
Corsicana, (903) 875-1077
Jensen Precast - Camas B1 Prefab de Beauce, Inc. AC, C3
Gate Precast Company AA, C3
Camas, (360) 834-3459 Ste-Marie-de-Beauce, (418) 387-7152
Hillsboro, (254) 582-7200
Jensen Precast - Puyallup B1, C1 Saramac 9229-0188 Quebec Inc. AC
Gate Precast Company C2
Puyallup, (253) 847-9782 Terrebonne, (450) 473-6831
Pearland, (281) 485-3273
GFRC 360, LLC dba GFRC Cladding G
Knife River Prestress AC, B4, C4
> G UA M
Garland, (972) 494-9000 Newman Lake, (509) 536-3300
Rocky Mountain Precast C4
Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc. voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak Yigo, (671) 653-4701
(San Marcos Plant) B4
Spokane Tie Plant B2, C2

San Marcos, (512) 396-2376 Spokane Valley, (509) 921-8721

Legacy Precast, LLC AC, C4 > W E ST V I R G I N I A
Brookshire, (281) 375-2050 Carr Concrete B4, C3
Lowe Precast, Inc. C3 Williamstown, (304) 850-6303
Waco, (254) 776-9690 Eastern Vault Company, Inc. B3, C3
Princeton, (304) 425-8955

41
ASCENT, WINTER 2024
 PCI-CERTIFIED ERECTORS DIRECTORY AS OF JANUARY 2024
Visit pci.org for the most up-to-date listing of PCI-Certified Erectors.

When it comes to quality, why take chances? GROUPS

When you need precast or precast, prestressed concrete products, choose a PCI-Certified Erector. You’ll
> C AT E G O RY S 1 –
get confirmed capability with a quality assurance program you can count on.
S I M P L E ST R U C T U R A L SYST E M S
Whatever your needs, working with an erector who is PCI-certified in the structure categories listed
This category includes horizontal decking
will benefit you and your project.
members (e.g. hollow-core slabs on masonry
• You’ll find easier identification of erectors prepared to fulfill special needs. walls), bridge beams placed on cast-in-place
• You’ll deal with established erectors. abutments or piers, and single-lift wall panels.
• Using a PCI-Certified Erector is the first step toward getting the job done right the first time, thus
keeping labor costs down. > C AT E G O RY S 2 –
• PCI-Certified Erectors help construction proceed smoothly, expediting project completion. C O M P L E X ST R U C T U R A L SYST E M S
This category includes everything outlined in
Guide Specification Category S1 as well as total–precast, multi-
To be sure that you are getting an erector from the PCI Field Certification Program, use the following product structures (vertical and horizontal
guide specification for your next project: members combined) and single- or multistory
“Erector Qualification: The precast concrete erector shall be fully certified by the Precast/Prestressed load-bearing members (including those with
Concrete Institute (PCI) prior to the beginning of any work at the jobsite. The precast concrete erector shall architectural finishes).
be certified in Structure Category(ies): [Select appropriate groups and categories S1 or S2 and/or A1].” > C AT E G O RY A –
A R C H I T E C T U R A L SYST E M S
Erector Classifications This category includes non-load-bearing
The PCI Field Certification Program is focused around three erector classifications. The standards cladding and GFRC products, which may be
referenced are found in the following manuals: attached to a supporting structure.
• MNL–127 Erector’s Manual - Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of Precast Concrete Products
• MNL–132 Erection Safety Manual for Precast and Prestressed Concrete

> ALABAMA Specialty Concrete Services, Inc. A, S2 > INDIANA

Brooks Construction, LLC A, S2 Umatilla, (352) 669-8888 Chicago Steel Construction, LLC S2
Valley Grande, (334) 349-5138 Toronto, LLC (subsidiary of Finfrock Industries, Inc.) S2 Merrillville, (219) 947-3939
Apopka, (407) 293-4000 F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., Inc. A, S2
> ARIZONA
> GEORGIA Indianapolis, (317) 359-5411
Coreslab Structures (ARIZ) Inc. A, S2
Phoenix, (602) 237-3875 Bass Precast Erecting, Inc. S2 > I OWA
EnCon Arizona, LLC dba Tpac S2 Cleveland, (706) 809-7583 Cedar Valley Steel, Inc. A, S2
Phoenix, (602) 262-1360 Jack Stevens Welding, LLP S2 Cedar Rapids, (319) 373-0291
Steel Girder, LLC dba Stinger Bridge & Iron S2 Murrayville, (770) 534-3809 Henkel Construction Company A, S2
Coolidge, (502) 723-5383 Precision Stone Setting Company, Inc. A, S2 Mason City, (641) 423-5674
Hiram, (770) 439-1068 Industrial Steel Erectors S1
> CALIFORNIA
RGR Erectors, Inc. A, S2 Davenport, (563) 388-6789
MidState Precast, L.P. A, S2
Cleveland, (706) 809-2718 Northwest Steel Erection, Inc. S2
Corcoran, (559) 992-8180
SE Precast Erectors Inc. A Des Moines, (515) 986-0380
Walters & Wolf Precast A
Roswell, (770) 722-9212 Peak Construction Group Inc. S2
Fremont, (510) 226-9800
Spring Precast LLC A, S1 North Liberty, (319) 383-3474
> C O LO R A D O Cobb, (229) 591-7009 US Erectors, Inc. A, S2
EnCon Field Services LLC A, S2 Pleasant Hill, (515) 243-8450
> I DA H O
Denver, (303) 287-4312
Boise Crane S2 > K A N S AS
Gibbons Erectors Inc. A, S2
Boise, (208) 362-3602 Carl Harris Co. Inc. A, S2
Englewood, (303) 841-0457
Precision Precast Erectors, LLC A, S2 Wichita, (316) 267-8700
Wells Concrete (West) S2
Post Falls, (208) 981-0060 Crossland Construction, Inc. S2
Brighton, (303) 480-1111
> ILLINOIS Columbus, (620) 429-1414
> CONNECTICUT Doherty Steel Inc. A, S2
Area Erectors, Inc. A, S2
Blakeslee Prestress, Inc. A, S2 Paola, (913) 557-9200
Rockford, (815) 562-4000
Branford, (203) 481-5306 Griffith Steel Erection, Inc. A, S2
Creative Erectors, LLC A, S2
Connecticut Mason Contractors Inc. S1 Wichita, (316) 941-4455
Rockford, (815) 229-8303
Middletown, (860) 296-9984
Hauter Brothers, Inc. S2 > LO U I S I A N A
> F LO R I DA Willowbrook, (708) 949-8091 C&A Erectors, LLC A, S2
Concrete Erectors, Inc. A, S2 Mid-States Concrete Industries, LLC S2 Rayville, (318) 537-3937
Longwood, (407) 862-7100 South Beloit, (800) 236-1072 Ranger Steel Erectors, Inc. A, S2
Coreslab Structures (MIAMI) Inc. A, S2 MVP Erectors S2 West Monroe, (318) 387-9882
Medley, (305) 823-8950 Cortland, (815) 991-5404
> MAINE
Florida Builders Group, Inc. S2 WAUBONSEE Development A, S2
Reed & Reed, Inc. S2
Miami Gardens, (305) 627-8900 Aurora, (630) 896-4679
Woolwich, (207) 443-9747
Pre-Con Construction, Inc. A, S2
Lakeland, (863) 688-4504
 AS OF JANUARY 2024 PCI-CERTIFIED ERECTORS DIRECTORY
Visit pci.org for the most up-to-date listing of PCI-Certified Erectors.

> M A RY L A N D > N E B R AS K A > SOUTH CAROLINA

DLM Contractors, LLC A, S2 Davis Erection, a division of Topping Out, Inc. A, S2 Davis Erecting & Finishing, Inc. A, S2
Upper Marlboro, (301) 877-0000 Gretna, (800) 279-1201 Greenville, (864) 220-0490
E & B Erectors, Inc. A, S2 M&M Steel Erection, Inc. S2 Florence Concrete Products, Inc. S2
Westminster, (410) 360-7800 Papillion, (402) 614-0988 Florence, (843) 662-2549
E.E. Marr Erectors, Inc. A, S2 Patriot Steel Erection A, S2 Keith’s Welding Services Inc. A, S2
Baltimore, (410) 837-1641 Omaha, (402) 431-2744 Travelers Rest, (864) 895-8191
EDI Precast, LLC A, S2 Tindall Corporation A, S2
> NEW HAMPSHIRE
Upper Marlboro (301) 877-2024 Spartanburg, (864) 576-3230
American Steel & Precast Erectors A, S2
L.R. Willson & Sons, Inc. A, S2
Greenfield, (603) 547-6311 > S O U T H DA KOTA
Gambrills, (410) 987-5414
Newstress Inc. S1 Fiegen Construction Company A, S2
> M AS S AC H U S E TT S Epsom, (603) 736-9000 Sioux Falls, (605) 335-6000
Prime Steel Erecting, Inc. A, S2 Gil Haugan Construction A, S2
> NEW JERSEY
North Billerica, (978) 671-0111 Sioux Falls, (605) 336-6082
JEMCO Erectors, Inc. A, S2
Henry Carlson Construction, LLC A, S2
> MICHIGAN Shamong, (609) 268-0332
Sioux Falls, (605) 336-2410
Assemblers Precast & Steel Services, Inc. A, S2 Reliant Steel Construction A, S2
Jans Corporation A, S2
Pinckey, (734) 368-6147 Blackwood, (856) 725-5715
Sioux Falls, (605) 331-5267
G2, Inc. A, S2 TCN & Co., LLC A, S1
Journey Construction A, S2
Cedar Springs, (616) 696-9581 Marlton (856) 685-0904
Sioux Falls, (605) 221-0156
Ideal Contracting LLC S2
> N E W YO R K Puetz Design+Build A, S2
Detroit, (313) 843-8000
A.J. McNulty & Co. Inc. A, S2 Mitchell, (605) 996-2276
Midwest Steel, Inc. A, S2
Maspeth, (718) 784-1655
Detroit, (313) 873-2220 > TENNESSEE
J.C. Steel Erectors Corporation A
Pioneer Construction Inc. A, S2 JWR Erectors, Inc. S2
Islip (631) 624-4088
Grand Rapids, (616) 247-6966 Hillsboro, (931) 222-7305
Koehler Masonry Corp. A, S2
Mid South Prestress, LLC S1
> M I N N E S OTA Farmingdale, (631) 694-4720
Pleasant View, (615) 746-6606
Amerect, Inc. A Tutor Perini Corporation S2
Newport, (651) 459-9909 New Rochelle, (914) 739-1908 > T E X AS
Danny’s Construction Company LLC S2 U.S. Crane & Rigging, LLC A Coreslab Structures (TEXAS) Inc. A, S2
Shakopee, (952) 445-4143 Ridgewood, (718) 418-2020 Cedar Park, (512) 250-0755
Fabcon Precast, LLC A, S2 Precast Erectors, Inc. A, S2
> N O RT H C A R O L I N A
Savage, (952) 808-5216 Hurst, (817) 684-9080
Carolina Stone Setting Company Inc. A, S2
Molin Concrete Products Company S2 S ‘N’ S Erectors, Inc. A, S2
Cary, (919) 467-4692
Lino Lakes, (651) 786-7722 Arlington, (817) 823-5882
Sowles Co. A, S2 > N O RT H DA KOTA Top Flight Steel Inc. S2
Shakopee, (952) 698-9700 Comstock Construction, Inc. S2 Rhome, (817) 638-5001
Wells A, C3 Wahpeton, (701) 892-7236
> U TA H
Albany, (800) 658-7049 Magnum Contracting, Inc. S2
Contech Engineered Solutions S2
Wells A, S2 Fargo, (701) 235-5285
Salt Lake City, (801) 966-1060
Maple Grove, (507) 380-9793 PKG Contracting, Inc. S2
Wysan Precast Services LLC A, S2 Fargo, (701) 232-3878 > VERMONT
Hawley, (218) 486-5100 CCS Constructors, Inc. S2
> OHIO
Zachman Precast Inc. S2 Morrisville, (802) 888-7701
Precast Services, Inc. A, S2
St. Michael, (763) 497-2529 Twinsburg, (330) 425-2880 > VIRGINIA
> MISSOURI Sidley Precast Group S2 Shockey Precast, a Metromont Company S2
Arch City Ironworks S1 Thompson, (440) 298-3232 Winchester, (540) 667-7700
Saint Louis, (314) 892-3030 > OKLAHOMA > WISCONSIN
Alberici Constructors S2
Coreslab Structures (OKLA) Inc. A, S2 J. P. Cullen & Sons, Inc. A, S2
St. Louis, (314) 733-2000 Oklahoma City, (405) 632-4944 Janesville, (608) 754-6601
Ben Hur Construction Company A, S2 Miron Construction Company, Inc. A, S2
St. Louis, (314) 298-8007 > P E N N SY LVA N I A
Neenah, (920) 969-7000
Building Erection Services Company A, S2 Century Steel Erectors A, S2
Wells S2
Kansas City, (913) 764-5560 Kittanning, (724) 545-3444
Valders, (414) 290-9000
Concrete Strategies A, S2 Conewago Precast Building Systems A, S2
St. Louis, (314) 595-6300 Hanover, (717) 632-7722 > G UA M
JE Dunn Construction Company A, S2 High Structural Erectors, LLC A, S2 Rocky Mountain Precast S2
Kansas City, (816) 474-8600 Lancaster, (717) 205-0030 Yigo, (671) 653-4701
Prestressed Casting Co. A, S2 Independence Erectors A, S2 ART Constructors S2
Springfield, (417) 869-7350 Chester, (856) 456-7788 Tamuning, (671) 646-3146
Weaver Steel Construction, LLC A, S2 Kinsley Steel Inc. A
St. Peters, (636) 397-5076 York, (717) 741-3841
Nitterhouse Concrete Products, Inc. A, S2
Chambersburg, (717) 267-4505
Team Erectors Inc. A, S2
Lincoln University (610) 345-1130

43
ASCENT, WINTER 2024
SPECIFY PCI CERTIFICATION
THERE IS NO EQUIVALENT

Photo co
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USC
USC
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The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute’s (PCI) certification is the industry’s

most proven, comprehensive, trusted, and specified certification program. The
PCI Plant Certification Program is now accredited by the International Accreditation
Service (IAS), which provides objective evidence that an organization operates at
the highest level of ethical, legal, and technical standards. This accreditation demon-
strates compliance to ISO/IEC 17021-1.
PCI certification offers a complete regimen covering personnel, plant, and field
operations. This assures owners, specifiers, and designers that precast concrete
products are manufactured and installed by companies who subscribe to nationally
accepted standards and are audited to ensure compliance.

To learn more about PCI certification, please visit

w w w.pci.org/cer tification
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