Eat Art gingerbread creations

Gingerbread houses, though undoubtedly the preserve of fairytales, the very patient or the very small, are now being given some gravitas thanks to the Eat Art competition, which sees architecture and design consultancies making some very advanced gingerbread creations.

The competition’s theme this year is Timeless Beauty, which has seen responses ranging from pearls, to Bauhaus architecture, to a seemingly exploding dome.

Dome by team Hansel of Maber Architects
Dome by team Hansel of Maber Architects

Organised by Austrian furniture company Bene, the competition aims to draw on gingerbread’s Austrian festive traditions and see it re-imagined as a small-scale construction material.

basket by team Dear Bregning of Foster and Partners
basket by team Dear Bregning of Foster and Partners

‘We value the opportunity to work with many leading practices that use their creative talents and skills to transform places and spaces, and this is a chance to work on a smaller scale but in an equally imaginative manner’, says the company.

pearl by team Ginger brEDGE of Edge Architecture and Design
pearl by team Ginger brEDGE of Edge Architecture and Design

Though there are no specifications on the size, volume or surface area of the houses, each team was delivered two sheets of 55 x 70cm gingerbread from which to form their creations.

Arch, team Horeca Inc from Foster and Partners
Arch, team Horeca Inc from Foster and Partners

Only edible building materials can be used, and entrants are judged on how ‘innovative’, ‘exceptional’ and ‘aesthetic’ the designs are; and it seems the entrants have more than rise to the challenge.

We’re particularly impressed with the Damien Hirst-esque skull from BDP’s team, The Only Way is Irish.  Perhaps a rather tongue-in-cheek appropriation of the Timeless Beauty theme, Skull is encrusted in hundreds of edible silver balls, with the grinning head just begging for one of those very original Hamlet re-enactments.

Skull by team The Only Way is Irish from BDP
Skull by team The Only Way is Irish from BDP

We’re also rather impressed with the entry form Edge Architecture and Design’s Happy Snaps team, the rigid Bauhaus lines making for an austere looking construction.

Bauhaus, by team Happy Snaps of Edge Architecture and Design
Bauhaus, by team Happy Snaps of Edge Architecture and Design

The shortlisted entrants will have to present either creative ideas at the award ceremony taking place this evening. For the venue, simply follow a trail of breadcrumbs.

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  • Tristan November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    The entries into this years competition look great. I love the creativeness of each team. My favourite has to be the oyster shell for it’s approach to nature as the locus for beauty – for what could be more beautiful? But the intricacy of other entries like the dome, and the skull is amazing. Good work everyone.

  • Serena Webb November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    The skull is incredible!!!! This is by far the clear winner. Good work from all.

  • Sonja Mayrhofer, Bene November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Great article! We are, indeed, so pleased to have had so many wonderful entries this year. It is amazing how much effort and creativity architects put into this competition. Our jury has decided on the jury prize winner last Thursday – the Skull by BDP won! Well done to Danny and Scott! We also gave out an audience prize to Foster and Partners entry Dear Bregnig, – the Sun Dial (not the basket as mentioned above …). Well, thanks to everyone who was involved! Merry Christmas, Sonja

  • Chris Hagan November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    It was great to once again be part of such a fun event. The thought, effort and skills displayed by the entries never fails to surprise and it is a credit to the creative abilities of the UK design sector.
    Thanks to all who took part, Merry Christmas all.

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