High Design Sandcastles

This Saturday the structural and aesthetic skills of the biggest architects and planners around town will be put to test -- on the beach. Special teams from major Houston architecture firms will convene to compete in The 22nd annual AIA Sandcastle Competition on Gavleston's East Beach, and while this might not be the bonus-bringing project of the year each firm takes the competition quite seriously.

Many firms begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. Then, on the day of the event, the teams stretch along the beach meticulously sculpting their sand piles and working non-stop for up to five hours. And it's not your typical sand pale and shovel kinda deal either. Most firms rely on large formwork systems, mechanized tampers, and water pumping systems to execute their designs. The judging of the sandcastles is rated on originality of concept, artistic execution of the concept, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site.

It's an architectural battle-royale. And probably the most sun any of these fresh-air starved architects will see this summer!

For more information about the event visit the AIA's website.