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.