Students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Architecture gained critical, hands-on experience in precast concrete design (a construction product produced by casting concrete in a reusable mold or “form”) during a week-long opportunity September 9–12. The program directly links students with industry leaders to explore innovative and practical solutions for Hawaiʻi’s unique built environment.
During the week, students participated in a series of activities including a tour of Waikīkī and downtown Honolulu’s precast concrete buildings, GPRM Precast’s fabrication plant, a visit to their project site at Neal Blaisdell Park and lectures from industry experts. The course, directed by Assistant Professor Ho Kyung Lee, emphasizes real-world problem solving and collaboration.
“Programs like the PCI Precast Studio expand our students’ understanding of materials through active engagement with both industry leaders and academic partners,” said Lee.
The collaboration will continue throughout the semester with a trip to Los Angeles for a joint design review with Cal Poly Pomona students and a future roundtable workshop with local engineers and construction managers in October.
Later in the semester, students will meet with engineers and experts from the GPRM precast company. They will get professional advice to help improve their project designs, showing the importance of working as a team with experts from different fields to solve real-life construction problems.
The program is part of the PCI Foundation Studio, a partnership now in its fourth year that connects UH Mānoa with the PCI Foundation, PCI West and the Cal Poly Pomona School of Architecture. It exemplifies the School of Architecture’s commitment to material-driven design education, connecting students directly with precast producers, architects, engineers and peers to explore innovative approaches in Hawaiʻi.
