CHICAGO — The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) has issued a call for entries for its 2010 Design Awards competition. The competition, now in its 48th year, demonstrates how designers are continuing to utilize precast, prestressed concrete components to achieve more cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and quickly constructed projects. The deadline for submissions is May 21, 2010.

Any structure in the United States, Canada or Mexico that has been completed within the past three years and is substantially constructed with plant-manufactured precast, prestressed concrete; glass-fiber-reinforced concrete; and/or architectural precast concrete is eligible. Categories include Commercial Structures (office buildings, retail stores, mixed-use structures, public/institutional buildings, and schools); Industrial Facilities (warehouses/distribution centers and manufacturing facilities); Housing (single-family homes, multifamily buildings, hotels/motels, and retirement/assisted-living centers); Specialized Structures (parking structures, stadiums/arenas/sports facilities, justice
facilities/courthouses, prisons/jails/correctional facilities, and custom solutions); and Transportation Facilities (bridges with main span up to 75 feet long, bridges with main span from 75 to 150 feet long, bridges with main span more than 150 feet long, rehabilitated bridges, non-highway bridges, and special solutions).

Along with a number of Best-in-Class awards, there are also recognitions given for industry advancement, sustainable design, and the best all-precast concrete structure. Juries made up of industry experts will consider creativity and ingenuity in the use of precast concrete to achieve aesthetic expression, function, economy and sustainability, and will recognize excellence in design, engineering, manufacturing and erecting. Separate juries will evaluate buildings, bridges and special categories.

Entries must be done electronically.Photos must also be submitted online, and instructions on how to do this are available on PCI’s Design Awards Web site. Entrants must also provide signed, photo-release forms from each photographer that has supplied pictures that are being submitted, and a copyright release form for each project. These forms can also be downloaded from the site.

To make a submission or learn more about the contest, please visit www.pcidesignawards.org/2010.