Piece of cake: Architects craft edible creations for London's Great Architectural Bake Off
by Kim Megson | 16 Jun 2017
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners have won an architectural award with a difference: a special baking prize for a gingerbread interpretation of their Arenas de Barcelona building in Spain.
The firm were one of several to take part in the 2017 Great Architectural Bake Off in London’s Fitzroy Square. Rival teams competed to recreate some of the world’s most iconic buildings entirely out of cake.
Staff from studios including Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners, MAKE Architects, Allies and Morrison and competition organisers WATG were asked to explore the theme of ‘memory’ in their edible architectural creations. The competition was held as part of the London Festival of Architecture.
Efforts includes a sponge version of St. Paul's Cathedral, a chocolate-topped Battersea Power Station and Stonehenge adorned with marbled icing.
A panel of judges awarded marks based on innovative use of materials, creativity, realistic representation and taste.
SOM were awarded ‘Tastiest Bake’ for their hazelnut infused Beinecke Library and WATG & Wimberly Interiors received an honourable mention for their Cathédrale de Brasilia, constructed with marbled sugar glass.
Competition organiser Ashley Fauguel said: “Year-on-year the competitors have delighted us with their imagination and skill and we feel that this year’s entries have been exceptional. It was a fantastic day for both spectators and competitors, as we watched the design elite construct their masterpieces in-front of our eyes.”
The London Festival of Architecture is the largest of its kind in Europe. Running until 30 June, a number of events are being held to explore the theme of memory in design and to “provoke questions about the life of the city, and promote positive change to its public realm.”
Great Architectural Bake Off WATG London Festival of Architecture baking design
The real Arenas de Barcelona Credit: Wiki Commons
Rival teams competed to recreate some of the world’s most iconic buildings entirely out of cake
Millenium Bridge by Foster + Partners
The Olympic Stadium by AVR
Battersea Power Station by Wilkinson Eyre
Stonehenge by David Collins
Beinecke Library by SOM
St Paul's Cathedral by Squire and Partners
London Wall Place by MAKE
Cathedrale de Brasilia by WATG
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners have won an architectural award with a difference: a special baking prize for a gingerbread interpretation of their Arenas de Barcelona building in Spain. The firm were one of several to take part in the 2017 Great Architectural Bake Off in London’s Fitzroy Square. Rival teams competed to recreate some of the world’s most iconic buildings entirely out of cake. Staff from studios including Zaha
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