I often talk to architecture firms, contractors and engineers about the tools available to them to aid in the design and construction of precast concrete buildings. As an institute, PCI has spent much time and effort creating quality publications that discuss the best-practices of our industry. To my mind, one set of publications published by the institute offers some of the best, most succinct information to be found anywhere about precast concrete -- The Designer's Notebook.

Each one of these short, simple publications focuses solely on one topic. So if there is an issue on a project that needs further exploration, it is a great tool to education yourself about possible solutions. Everything from corners and returns to cornices, budget issues, specifications, and sculptural forms are covered in these pamphlets. The overview it gives the designer on the topic makes it a great resource for getting enough education on an aspect of precast design to help you ask the right questions and specificy the product correction -- which is why I like to think of these as the "Cliff's Notes" of precast.

Even better, you can access the series for free. Check them out on the PCI website and you'll have a wonderful few hours of reading up on all the most important precast topics.