PCI Foundation student design challenge
Project Precast 2027
Architecture, engineering and construction management students team up and compete live at the PCI Convention in Salt Lake City. Each team gets a design challenge built on real-world precast issues, a mentor from the industry, and a live audience. Travel is paid. Applications close November 2, 2026.
Go to the PCI Foundation page to apply Know a student? Share this
- WhenFebruary 1 to 5, 2027
- WherePCI Convention, Salt Lake City
- TeamsUp to 8 teams of 4 students
- Cost to studentsNothing. Travel is paid.
What students get
Think of it as a design studio and a pitch competition in one week. Teams own their solution, vie for cash prizes, and meet the people who design and build with precast. Selected students receive a fully funded trip:
- Airfare or a travel allowance
- Lodging, double occupancy
- Meals
- Convention entry
- Competition T-shirts
- The awards ceremony
Prizes
- Overall winning team$1,000 per team member
- People’s Choice team$500 per team member
- Outstanding Structural Design$500 per team member
- WOW Factor Award$500 to one standout student
How it works
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Apply on your own
Each student applies individually by November 2, 2026. The application asks for a short statement and a letter of recommendation, so ask a professor early.
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Hear back
Selected students are notified by November 20, 2026.
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Get drafted onto a team
Team sponsors pick students to form each team of four: two architecture, one engineering and one construction management. A PCI precast producer or professional member is paired with each team as a mentor.
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Compete live
At the PCI Convention, teams receive a fictitious project brief, visit a project site, walk the trade show floor, work with their mentor, and present their solution to a live audience.
Who can apply: students currently enrolled in a school of architecture, engineering or construction management.
Professors and university staff
You know who in your program is ready for this. Please pass it along to your students and consider writing a letter of recommendation. The application requires one, so it helps when students ask early.
Professionals
If you know a student in architecture, engineering or construction management, forward this page to them. A precast producer or professional member mentors every team, so your recommendation points a student toward a real industry connection.
Project Precast is run by the PCI Foundation and the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, with support from Sika, Hamilton Form, eConstruct and Splice Sleeve. Questions about the application go to Nancy Peterson at EnCon United, (303) 994-5805 or npeterson@enconunited.com.
Premier Associates of PCI of Illinois & Wisconsin
Companies that support the chapter and the precast industry
Premier Associate
Your company here
Premier Associates are named on the chapter homepage and on pages like this one, with two registrations included at every chapter event.
Associate membership
Sell to the people who build with precast
Associate members are the suppliers, engineers and service firms that Illinois and Wisconsin precast producers call. Membership is $1,000 a year and puts your company in the chapter directory, at member pricing for chapter events, and in front of the architects, engineers and producers who read this site.
Applications close November 2, 2026
Apply on the PCI Foundation page, and tell a classmate.