High Performance & Resilient Precast Educational Facilities
- This event has passed.
High Performance & Resilient Precast Educational Facilities
April 23, 2020 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

*1 HSW*
HOSTED BY: The Regional Chapters of PCI
SPONSORED BY: Georgia/Carolinas PCI
PRESENTED BY: Peter Finsen, FPCI, Assoc. AIA
Executive Director & CEO of Georgia/Carolinas PCI
Description:
The evolving construction industry, recent code changes, increasing sustainability requirements and challenging economy are just some of the factors increasing demand for safe, healthy, high performance educational facilities. Today’s schools are more than just buildings; they are interactive learning environments. They are gathering places. They are safe havens for the community. This presentation will discuss recommendations on how to design and build high performance, sustainable and resilient schools, with reduced life-cycle costs. The benefits of prefabrication and off-site construction will be identified in the context of precast/prestressed concrete architectural and structural building solutions. And case studies will highlight high performance attributes – including optimization of numerous versatile, efficient and resilient building applications.
Learning Objectives:
1. Define high performance structures and identify key attributes and benefits of high performance and sustainable learning environments educational facilities.
2. Explain basic approaches to high performance and resilient school design using precast concrete.
3. Promote the concept of functional resilience and its importance in educational facilities.
4. Learn how prefabricated, integrated architectural and structural precast concrete design solutions contribute to life safety features including: fire safety, storm resistance, acoustics and indoor air quality.
5. Share how off-site construction and prefabricated manufacturing with natural, low-embodied energy materials contribute to life cycle design, accelerate construction, reduce site disturbance and waste, reduce transportation of materials and provide easier coordination of trades.
6. Describe concepts to control cost and quality, reduce maintenance, and meet sustainable design goals.
Details
- Date:
- April 23, 2020
- Time:
-
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Event Category:
- Webinar
- Event Tags:
- architecture, design, education, HSW, safety, schools, sustainability, sustainable, USGBC, webinar
- Website:
- https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6928067153172769038
Organizer
- Georgia/Carolinas PCI
- Phone
- (678) 402-7727
Latest News
Design Awards Registration is OPEN! ![]()
These awards acknowledge the design expertise and excellence of architects within our AIA Chapter. Our awards will recognize firms and projects of all shapes and sizes. ![]()
There will be a $50 entry fee per project that is due at time of registration. Student and section awards will not have an entry fee.![]()
Check out the registration portal here: www.aiawinstonsalem.org/design-awards-2025/![]()
Dates to Remember:
Registration Opens: Monday, October 20th![]()
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 29th
(Registration Fee + Intent to Submit Form Due)![]()
Documentation Submission Deadline: Friday, November 14th
(Full Submissions Due)![]()
Design Awards: Thursday, December 4th
Only 27% of registered architects in the U.S. are women, and AIA Winston-Salem is working to change that. On May 17th, the 4th annual Girls’ Lego Day welcomed 37 girls from local schools to the WFU Center for Private Business. With support from parents, sponsors, and a record number of volunteers, participants explored architecture and design, created their own projects, and took home sketchbooks, pencils, and LEGOs—all at no cost.![]()
This year’s prompt, “What if Kids Ruled the World?” guided students through the design process. Sketches were made, ideas exchanged, and some groups naturally collaborated to form mini “communities.” During a snack break, volunteers transformed the room into a LEGO workshop and shared their roles in architecture, highlighting what they love most about the profession.![]()
With tables full of LEGO bricks, the girls brought their visions to life—golden houses, banks, vet clinics, and more. Volunteers encouraged creativity, offered suggestions, and helped find the perfect pieces to complete the girls’ designs. At the end, students proudly presented their imaginative communities and shared the stories behind them.![]()
According to National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the number of women in the architect population has shown a continuous trend toward greater gender parity. Events like these undoubtedly work to engage our communities’ young women & provide a space for their creativity to flourish. With ongoing support, growth, & endorsement from our communities, the built environment can better reflect the diversity of those who live in it. For those already in the field, the event offers a refreshing glimpse into the unfiltered creativity of youth. As Kellie Overberg shared in her interview with WSFCS, “Every idea proposed at the event might not be feasible, but they’re always full of inspiration.”![]()
Special thanks to our sponsors: Davie Construction Co. provided sketchbooks, pencils, and hardhats to get attendees in builder mode. Bricks & Minifigs Kernersville, a woman-owned business, donated LEGOs, go-bags, and a gift card for future visits. Their generosity—and that of our volunteers—was key to the event’s success.![]()
Can’t wait to see what next year brings!
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