Washington, DC – November 2026 — The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), bringing together two organizations committed to strengthening architectural education and supporting the next generation of design professionals.
Through this partnership, AIAS and PCI will collaborate to expand student awareness of precast and prestressed concrete systems, connect students with industry professionals, and provide educational experiences that bridge classroom learning and professional practice.
For PCI, education is central to its mission. As the organization continues to expand its engagement with universities and students, the partnership with AIAS offers an opportunity to reach emerging architects earlier in their education and introduce them to the materials, technologies, and expertise that shape the built environment.
“Architecture students are constantly exploring new ideas and approaches to design, but they don’t always have opportunities to connect those ideas with the materials and systems used in practice,” said Kimberly Tuttle, Executive Director of AIAS. “Our partnership with PCI helps bridge that gap by bringing industry expertise, educational resources, and hands-on opportunities directly to students. We’re excited to help our members discover new possibilities and expand their understanding of how architecture comes to life.”
Connecting Education, Materials, and Design
Understanding how building materials influence architectural design is an important part of preparing for professional practice. Through educational programming, technical resources, and hands-on opportunities, the partnership will help students explore the design potential of precast concrete and its applications in contemporary architecture.
Throughout the 2026–2027 partnership year, AIAS and PCI will collaborate on several initiatives, including:
- Educational Programming: A live educational webinar connecting AIAS members with industry experts, with the recording available for continued learning through the AIAS Learning Portal.
- Student Design Competitions: Increased visibility for PCI’s student competitions, providing opportunities for students to apply their creativity, explore building systems, and engage with the precast concrete industry.
- Industry Insights and Resources: Educational articles, project highlights, and digital content featuring precast concrete applications, innovative design approaches, and professional perspectives.
- AIAS Conference Engagement: Opportunities to connect directly with PCI representatives at AIAS FORUM 2027 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Grassroots 2027.
- Chapter Connections: Opportunities to facilitate engagement between PCI and interested AIAS chapters and educators, strengthening relationships between industry and architectural education.
Beyond providing technical knowledge, the partnership aims to encourage students to explore design possibilities outside of their traditional studio experiences. By introducing emerging designers to industry resources, collaborative learning, and professional networks, AIAS and PCI hope to inspire greater curiosity about the materials and systems that bring architectural ideas to life.
“There is real value in connecting with students while they are still exploring ideas, materials, and the kind of designers they want to become,” said Becky King, Vice President of Marketing and Education at PCI. “Through our partnership with AIAS, we can share the passion and expertise of our industry while helping students discover what’s possible with precast concrete and building meaningful connections with the next generation of architects.”
The partnership also builds on PCI’s ongoing commitment to student education through its competitions, learning resources, and engagement with academic institutions.
As a new Gold Partner, PCI joins the AIAS network of industry organizations committed to investing in the education and professional development of future architects.
AIAS looks forward to collaborating with PCI throughout the year and creating meaningful opportunities for students to discover, learn, and engage with the precast concrete industry.
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About the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) is a technical institute and trade association dedicated to advancing the design, fabrication, and construction of precast and prestressed concrete structures, infrastructure and systems. Through education, research, certification, and technical resources, PCI supports the industry and the design and construction professionals who work with precast concrete.
Learn more at pci.org/howprecastbuilds
About the AIAS
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization dedicated to advancing leadership, design, and service among architecture students. Through its network of collegiate chapters, educational programs, conferences, and professional development opportunities, AIAS empowers students to shape the future of architecture. aias.org
