Architectural Polymers

Each year, the Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship Awards, presented by the Precast/Prestressed
Concrete Institute (PCI), recognize architectural precast concrete projects that exemplify the
highest levels of manufacturing quality, innovation, and execution. Named in honor of Sidney
Freedman—a long-time champion of architectural precast—the awards celebrate the
craftsmanship required to translate ambitious design concepts into built form.

The program encompasses a wide and diverse range of winning projects across North America.
The projects highlighted in this article represent the 2026 Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship
Award recipients in which Architectural Polymers, LLC was proudly involved as an
associate supplier. They are part of a broader field of exceptional PCI-recognized work, and
together they illustrate how collaboration and specialized expertise help advance architectural
precast as a design-forward material.

Craftsmanship as an Inclusive, Evolving Practice

One of the defining strengths of the Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship Awards is their inclusivity.
Projects of all sizes, building types, and architectural expressions are eligible—reflecting the
expanding role of precast concrete in today’s built environment.
The 2026 award-winning projects supported by Architectural Polymers span:

• Mission-critical infrastructure
• Religious and cultural architecture
• Healthcare environments
• Urban mixed-use development

This diversity underscores an essential truth of modern precast: craftsmanship is not limited to a
particular aesthetic or program. It is expressed through precision, adaptability, and the ability to
meet each project’s unique design and performance demands.

2026 Award-Winning Projects Featuring Architectural Polymers, LLC

Oppidan Data Center – Olathe, Kansas
Data centers are increasingly required to meet elevated aesthetic standards while maintaining
rigorous performance criteria. This project demonstrates how architectural precast can deliver

both. Articulated panel geometry, refined surface textures, and coordinated coloration transform
a traditionally utilitarian building type into a visually engaging structure that responds to its
surroundings—while still benefiting from precast’s speed and efficiency.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Temple – McAllen, Texas
This project showcases precast concrete’s ability to emulate traditional stone construction with
extraordinary fidelity. Deep relief arches, corbels, and classical detailing required exceptional
formwork precision and surface control. The resulting façade achieves a sense of permanence
and craftsmanship that aligns with the building’s spiritual and cultural significance.

Pine Rest Pediatric Center for Behavioral Health – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Designed to foster healing and comfort, this facility uses architectural precast as a storytelling
medium. Thin brick, acid-washed panels, and textured form liner surfaces work together to
create a warm, nature-inspired exterior. The integration of multiple finishes into a unified precast
system allowed the design intent to be fully realized while streamlining construction.

Grain District Parking Garage – Spartanburg, South Carolina
As part of a vibrant mixed-use district, this parking structure demonstrates how precast can
contribute meaningfully to urban design. Thin brick and textured architectural panels soften the
scale of the garage and help it blend seamlessly into its context—proving that even highly
repetitive building types can achieve architectural distinction through thoughtful surface design.

Crow Museum of Asian Art – Dallas, Texas
A cultural landmark, the Crow Museum features a façade composed of complex three-
dimensional precast panels with layered geometric patterns. Advanced digital modeling and
precision fabrication enabled the production of sculptural surfaces that push the boundaries of
what architectural precast can achieve, reinforcing its role as a medium for expressive design.

The Essential Role of Associate Suppliers
Behind every award-winning architectural precast project is a network of collaborators whose
contributions are critical to success. Associate suppliers play a vital role in enabling
architectural ambition—providing the tools, technologies, and expertise that allow complex
designs to be produced consistently and efficiently.
Across all five 2026 Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship Award–winning projects highlighted here,
Architectural Polymers, LLC served as an associate supplier, supporting producers with formliner and thin brick solutions that helped bring architectural intent to life. These
contributions enabled

• Expressive textures and deep relief
• Integrated thin brick façades
• Repeatable quality across large panel quantities
• Efficient production of complex architectural surfaces

In a craftsmanship-focused awards program, these contributions are foundational. Excellence in
architectural precast is not achieved in isolation—it is the result of close coordination between
designers, producers, engineers, and specialized suppliers.

Recognizing Collaboration at the Highest Level

The projects highlighted in this article represent only a portion of the outstanding work
recognized by PCI in 2026. Together, they reflect Architectural Polymers, LLC’s proud
involvement in a select group of Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship Award–winning projects,
each advancing the possibilities of architectural precast through collaboration and innovation.
As architectural expectations continue to rise, the importance of trusted associate suppliers will
only grow. At Architectural Polymers, LLC, participation in these award-winning projects
reinforces a commitment to craftsmanship, collaboration, and the continued evolution of
architectural precast concrete.

Architectural Polymers — Advancing Concrete Design Through Innovation and Precision.