Industry standards
The real sources, not our version of them
Plenty of companies hoard industry knowledge and hand you their marketing instead. We would rather point you at the actual standards. Here are the PCI and industry resources worth your time, with a plain note on each so you know where to start.
PCI Designer's Notebook series
Short, practical notes from the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute on architectural precast design. These are the entries most useful to formliner work.
- Sculptural forms and form liners →
The starting point for texture and relief in architectural precast. Read this first if you are new to designing with liners.
- Reveals →
How reveals are proportioned and placed, and how they affect panel thickness. Pairs with our designing-for-the-formliner guide.
- Cornices →
Detailing projected and returned elements in precast. Useful when a facade has more than a flat textured face.
- Radiused precast →
Designing curved panels. Matters when a pattern has to wrap a radius without distorting.
- Precast plasticity and mold repetition →
How mold reuse and repetition drive cost. Directly relevant to choosing single-use versus multi-use liners.
- Successful planning with architectural samples →
The sample and mockup sequence from the source. Read alongside our samples and mockups article.
Color and texture reference
The standard visual reference architects use to select color, finish, and texture in architectural precast.
- PCI Architectural Precast Concrete Color and Texture Selection Guide →
The industry reference for specifying color and finish. Use it to set expectations before you approve a sample.
Manuals, design resources, and certification
The deeper PCI library and the plant certification program that tells you a producer is qualified.
- PCI architectural precast manuals and design resources →
The full design and manufacturing reference set for architectural precast.
- PCI plant certification →
What plant certification means and how to check that a precaster carries it. Worth confirming on any spec.
Tilt-up construction
For tilt-up contractors casting textured and embedded-brick panels flat on the slab.
- Tilt-Up Concrete Association resources →
The trade association for tilt-up construction, with design and construction guidance for site-cast panels.
Advanced and the industry
Advanced supports accredited lunch and learn programs with AIA and ALA continuing education credit, and stays connected to the industry through PCI. See lunch and learn →
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