2007 Pci Design Awards Casting Excellence

At the Courtyard by Marriott-Magnificent Mile in Chicago, nine judges convened this summer to select award-winning projects from a pool of 140 entries

At the Courtyard by Marriott-Magnificent Mile in Chicago, nine judges convened this summer to select award-winning projects from a pool of 140 entries featuring precast/prestressed concrete structures including bridges, buildings, parking structures and pavements throughout North America. Eligible for the 2007 Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Design Awards competition were U.S., Canada, or Mexico-sited structures substantially constructed with precast/prestressed concrete, glass-fiber reinforced concrete, and/or architectural precast within the past three years (or nearly complete at the time of entry). The precast supplier for eligible projects must operate a permanent precasting facility.

Winners were selected by three panels of judges comprising the Bridge Jury, the Building Jury, and a Special Awards Jury handling the Harry H. Edwards, Total-Precast, and Sustainable Design awards. Representatives of designers and precasters for winning projects will receive their awards on October 23 at an evening banquet during PCI’s 53rd annual Convention & Exhibition at the Phoenix Convention Center. The event is held in conjunction with the Institute’s National Bridge Conference.

BRIDGE AWARDS

Twelve bridge projects nationwide have been named as winners in PCI’s 2007 Design Awards competition. Included are honors for sustainable design, several categories of span lengths, owner-designed structures, rehabilitated bridges, and custom solutions.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AWARD & BEST NON-HIGHWAY BRIDGE

The Fifth Street Pedestrian Plaza Bridge
Atlanta, Georgia

Engineer Û ARCADIS U.S., Inc., Atlanta, Ga.

Precast suppliers Û Standard Concrete Products (beams); and, MC Precast Inc. (panels), both in Atlanta

Judges’ comments: The project shows excellent implementation of sustainable design in a transportation application, especially notable given the limited guidelines available at this time for transportation projects.

BEST BRIDGE WITH MAIN SPAN LESS THAN 75 FEET, CO-WINNER

New Hampshire Route 10 over Mink Brook
Hanover, New Hampshire

Engineer Û Parsons Brinkerhoff, Manchester, N.H.

Precast supplier Û J.P. Carrara & Sons Inc., North
Clarendon, Vt.

Judges’ comments: The first use in New England of butted, voided slab beams with integral abutments using expanded polystyrene blocks behind the abutments for lighter weight.

BEST BRIDGE WITH MAIN SPAN LESS THAN 75 FEET, CO-WINNER

Portland & Western (L Street) Bridge
Columbia City, Oregon

Engineer Û OBEC Consulting Engineers, Eugene, Ore.

Precast supplier Û R.B. Johnson Co., McMinnville, Ore.

Judges’ comments: The use of precast elements provided beautiful aesthetics for the bridge.

BEST BRIDGE WITH MAIN SPAN BETWEEN 75 AND 150 FT., CO-WINNER

Richmond-San Rafael Toll Bridge
Marin and Contra Costa Counties, California

Engineer Û DMJM+Harris of the Ben C. Gerwick/Jacobs/DMJM+Harris Design Joint Venture, San Francisco

Precast supplier Û Pomeroy Corp., Perris, Calif.

Judges’ comments: This project demonstrates the advantages that can be achieved by standardizing sections.

BEST BRIDGE WITH MAIN SPAN BETWEEN 75 AND 150 FT., CO-WINNER

Loop 340 Overpass (four bridges)
Waco, Texas

Engineers Û Texas Department of Transportation, Austin; and, Structural Engineering Associates, San Antonio

Precast supplier Û Heldenfels Enterprises Inc., San Marcos, Texas

Judges’ comments: The aesthetics overall were quite graceful, and the minimal span-to-deck ratio was significant for this type of structure.

BEST BRIDGE WITH MAIN SPAN GREATER THAN 150 FT., CO-WINNER

Ramp K Flyover Bridge
Denver, Colorado

Engineer Û Summit Engineering Group Inc., Littleton, Colo.

Precast supplier Û EnCon Bridge Co., Denver

Judges’ comments: The first transportation structure to use curved precast girders that were spliced and post-tensioned to accommodate spans up to 200 feet.

BEST BRIDGE WITH MAIN SPAN GREATER THAN 150 FT., CO-WINNER

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Charleston, South Carolina

Engineer Û Parsons Brinkerhoff, New York, N.Y.

Precast supplier Û Standard Concrete Products’ Georgia Division, Savannah

Judges’ comments: Significant design can incorporate precast elements effectively for both the superstructure and approaches.

BEST BRIDGE WITH MAIN SPAN GREATER THAN 150 FT., CO-WINNER

Replacement of I-10 Bridge over Escambia Bay
Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties, Florida

Engineer Û Parsons Brinkerhoff, Tampa, Fla.

Precast suppliers Û Standard Concrete Products, Tampa; and, Gulf Coast Prestress, Pass Christian, Miss.

Judges’ comments: In this marine environment, the use of precast provides quality that will ensure durability for many, many years.

BEST OWNER-DESIGNED BRIDGE, CO-WINNER

Mackey Bridge
Boone County, Iowa

Engineer Û Iowa Department of Transportation, Ames

Precast supplier Û Andrews Prestressed Concrete Inc., Clear Lake, Iowa

Judges’ comments: The project’s success reflects the significant research that went into producing these techniques by the owner-designer, demonstrating an openness to creative and forward-looking concepts.

BEST OWNER-DESIGNED BRIDGE, CO-WINNER

Hood Canal Floating Bridge – East Approach
Kitsop and Jefferson Counties, Washington

Engineer Û Washington State Department of Transportation Bridge Office, Olympia

Precast supplier Û Concrete Technology Corp.,
Tacoma, Wash.

Judges’ comments: The most impressive aspect of this project was the speed with which the replacement was accomplished Û only 49 hours.

BEST REHABILITATED BRIDGE

Garden Grove Boulevard Undercrossing (East) Widening
Orange County, California

Engineer Û URS Corp., Roseville, Calif.

Precast supplier Û Pomeroy Corp., Perris, Calif.

Judges’ comments: Engineers overcame the challenges of this project by selecting an extensive variety of precast elements to meet vertical-clearance requirements, aesthetics, and speed of construction.

PAVEMENT PROJECTS

Four Road Pavement Projects were recognized for their use of precast, prestressed pavement panels.

BUILDING AWARDS

Fifteen building projects were recognized as PCI Design Award winners, including two recipients of the Harry H. Edwards Industry Advancement Award for innovation; two buildings for Best Total-Precast Design; and, one for Best Sustainable Design.

HARRY H. EDWARDS INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENT AWARD, CO-WINNER

The Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Edmonton, Alberta

Design architect Û Stantec Architecture Ltd., Edmonton

Precast supplier Û Lafarge Canada Inc., Edmonton
Precast specialty engineers Û RJC, Edmonton; and,
Kassian Dyck and Associates, Calgary, Alberta

Judges’ comments: This innovative use of precast takes advantage of the extreme durability offered by ultra-high-performance concrete. This exceptional durability makes the components impermeable to water-borne contaminants and microbic growth.

HARRY H. EDWARDS INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENT AWARD, CO-WINNER

The Heldrich
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Design architect Û CMMI (dba James R. McAuliffe Architects Inc.), Atlanta, Ga.

Engineer Û DeSimone Consulting, New York, N.Y.
Precast supplier Û High Concrete Group LLC, Denver, Pa.

Judges’ comments: The project represents a striking use of precast to express a highly detailed, classical image. The use of CarbonCast precast delivered tremendous strength to the structure without sacrificing its strong visual interest.

BEST TOTAL-PRECAST CONCRETE DESIGN, CO-WINNER

Eastman Chemical Co. Polymers Production Facility
West Columbia, South Carolina

Architect/Engineer Û CH2MHill Lockwood Greene, Spartanburg, S.C.

Precast supplier Û Tindall Corp., Spartanburg, S.C.

Precast specialty engineer Û The Consulting Engineers Group, Mount Prospect, Ill.

Judges’ comments: This strong-looking total-precast building makes good use of double tees with blockouts to achieve its goals. The project provides a good, muscular expression of the structure while offering good constructibility.

BEST TOTAL-PRECAST CONCRETE DESIGN, CO-WINNER

City Center Parking Facility
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Design architect Û Architectural Design Group, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Precast supplier Û Coreslab Structures (OKLA) Inc.,Oklahoma City

Precast specialty engineer Û Salmons P.C., Albuquerque, N.M.

Judges’ comments: This project presents an honest, straightforward use of precast concrete.

BEST SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

915 Walnut Parking Structure
Kansas City, Missouri

Design architect Û Stott & Associates Architects P.C., Ames, Iowa, Engineer Û FDG Inc., Arvada, Colo.

Precast supplier Û IPC Inc. (a subsidiary of Cretex Companies, Inc.), Des Moines, Iowa

Judges’ comments: The 8-ft. double tees were innovative in being specially designed to accommodate full-grown trees and other large loads that most such projects would not have to support. The use of regional materials and recycled content, as well as the design approach to reduce water runoff and heat-island effect, led to an excellent sustainable design.

BEST OFFICE BUILDING

HOK Sport Venue Event Headquarters
Kansas City, Missouri

Design architect Û HOK Sport Venue Event, Kansas City

Precast supplier Û IPC Inc., Des Moines, Iowa

Precast specialty engineer Û FDG Inc., Arvada, Colo.

Judges’ comments: The building stands out like a beacon in a neighborhood of three- and four-story red-brick structures.

BEST MIXED-USE BUILDING

St. Regis Museum Tower
San Francisco

Architect/Engineer Û Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, San Francisco

Precast supplier Û Clark Pacific, West Sacramento, Calif.

Judges’ comments: A remarkable achievement Û the entire flow of the building works beautifully.

BEST GOVERNMENT BUILDING, CO-WINNER

Juarez Complex
Mexico City, Mexico

Design architect Û Legorreta+Legorreta, Mexico City

Precast supplier Û Pretecsa, S.A. de C.V., Mexico City

Precast specialty engineer (Plaza Ju∑rez) Û Izquierdo Ingenieros y Asociados, S.C., Mexico City

Judges’ comments: The fa¡ade design makes a person want to get inside and go exploring because there have to be some extraordinary interior spaces.

BEST GOVERNMENT BUILDING, CO-WINNER

Sacramento City Hall
Sacramento, California

Design architect Û Fentress Bradburn Architects, Denver

Engineer Û Buehler & Buehler Inc., Sacramento

Precast supplier Û Walters & Wolf Precast, Fremont, Calif.

Judges’ comments: The detailing is delicate and thoughtful.

BEST PUBLIC BUILDING

EX3 Ron Sandwih Teen Center
Federal Way, Washington

Design architect Û Weinstein A/U, Architects & Urban Designers LLC, Seattle, Wash.

Engineer Û Swenson Say Fag»t, Seattle

Precast supplier Û Bethlehem Construction Inc., Cashmere, Wash.

Judges’ comments: Through creative assemblage of materials, the project transcends generic building design and becomes distinctive architecture.

BEST MULTIFAMILY BUILDING

The 800 J Lofts Building
Sacramento, California

Design architect Û LPA Sacramento Inc., Sacramento

Engineer Û Culp & Tanner, Chico, Calif.

Precast supplier Û Clark Pacific, West Sacramento, Calif.

Judges’ comments: The most attractive characteristic was a unique ability to self-right the structure, making immediate reoccupancy possible after a major seismic event.

BEST PARKING STRUCTURE, CO-WINNER

Lehigh University Alumni Memorial Building Parking Pavilion and Arrival Court
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Design architect Û Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects, Philadelphia

Engineer Û Barry Isett & Associates, Trexlertown, Pa.

Precast supplier Û High Concrete Group LLC, Denver, Pa.

Judges’ comments: All of the pieces work well together.

BEST PARKING STRUCTURE, CO-WINNER

National Institutes of Health Parking Structure
Bethesda, Maryland

Architect/Engineer Û CUH2A Inc. Architecture Engineering Planning, Lawrenceville, N.J.

Precast supplier Û Tindall Corp. Virginia Division, Petersburg, Va.

Precast specialty engineer Û The Consulting Engineers Group Inc., Mount Prospect, Ill.

Judges’ comments: The design is simple yet functional.

BEST SCHOOL BUILDING

Carolina High School & Academy
Greenville, South Carolina

Architect/Engineer Û Craig Gaulden Davis, Greenville, Precast supplier Û Metromont Prestress Co., Greenville

BEST COMMERCIAL RENOVATION

Tessa’s Restaurant
Naperville, Illinois

Design architect Û Oppermann Architects, Naperville

Engineer Û R. I. Johnson & Associates, Wheaton, Ill.

Precast supplier Û Dukane Precast Inc., Naperville

Judges’ comments: Erecting the 55 pieces took only nine days.

BEST SPECIAL SOLUTION, CO-WINNER

Interstate 35 Frontage Road Pavement
Georgetown, Texas

Engineer Û Texas Department of Transportation, Austin

Precast supplier Û The Transtec Group, Austin

BEST SPECIAL SOLUTION, CO-WINNER

Interstate 10 Pavement
El Monte, California

Engineer Û California Department of Transportation, Sacramento

Precast specialty pavement engineer Û The Transtec Group, Austin, Texas

Precast supplier Û Pomeroy Corp., Perris, Calif.

BEST SPECIAL SOLUTION, CO-WINNER

Interstate 57 Pavement Reconstruction
Charleston, Missouri

Engineer Û Missouri Department of Transportation, Jefferson City

Precast specialty pavement engineer Û The Transtec Group, Austin, Texas

Precast supplier Û CPI Concrete Products Inc., Memphis, Tenn.

BEST SPECIAL SOLUTION, CO-WINNER

Highway 60 Precast Bridge Approach Slabs
Sheldon, Iowa

Engineer Û Iowa Department of Transportation, Ames

Precast specialty pavement engineer Û The Transtec Group, Austin, Texas

Precast supplier Û IPC Inc. (subsidiary of Cretex Companies Inc.), Iowa Falls, Iowa

This report was adapted from 2007 PCI Design Award coverage published in the September-October issue of PCI Journal.