The teams each received one gingerbread village kit to build with and were allowed to use any materials inside the box, including the plastic and cardboard packaging elements if needed. Each team was asked to submit one structure, a project write-up with key challenges and features, and photographs of before and after the decorative elements.

After the projects were completed on Dec. 10, the judges analyzed every detail carefully, grading on quality, originality, structural creativity, and design narrative.

The first of the three houses, Bungalow Ho Ho, prominently featured red gumdrops and drew inspiration from Santa’s sleigh. The mansion acts as a landing runway for the vehicle itself, featuring an open sleigh port for quick-access covered parking on the ground floor. This deck is supported by tapered gingerbread columns using non-shrink icing grout. Atop the bungalow, the reindeer can be seen grazing on the grass-shaped frosting when on break from their duties. See more photos and the team submission.

Unlike the Bungalow Ho Ho, the Munchkin Mansion takes a different spin with its inspiration coming from Mary Poppins’ neverending bag. This home utilizes a wall gravity framing system, along with royal icing, to build a spacious interior for Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Vaulted ceilings and large clearstory windows maximize the natural light, bringing an airy feel to the mansion. See more photos and the team submission.

Last but certainly not least is the Gingerpendent. This unique structure embodies the vibrant spirit of Christmas. The gingerbread walls are fastened together in a jigsaw manner and create the highest viewpoint in the North Pole. But to reach these great heights, folks must commute via reindeer. See more photos and the team submission.

After much consideration, each Christmas-covered creation was graded and a winner was chosen: the Munchkin Mansion. All three teams showed incredible creativity to transform their off-the-shelf gingerbread kits into original, sturdy, yet edible, frosted structures. Even so, the distinct structure and icing-lined windows of the Munchkin Mansion raised them to the top of the pack.

Great job Team Munchkins and all who participated!

With over 175 square inches of amenities spanning across four
floors, the Gingerpendent offers the most significant and diverse
assortment of candy, decorating classes, relaxation, and entertainment accommodations this side of the equator. Enjoy a
vibrant and energetic 3rd floor amenities deck or relax on the 4th
floor balcony, the highest vantage point in the North Pole.

Inspired by the North Pole’s bold and innovative Christmas spirit, the
movement between the Gingerpendent’s tiers is an outward reflection of the vibrant lifestyle within the building and surrounding ginger-community…sweet, but not too sweet. The ambitious architectural approach of eliminating stairs and elevators from the building encourages innovative technological solutions, such as Uber-Deer, a driverless reindeer company that flies people right to their balcony. Days of taking the stairs and elevator are over when you choose to live at the Gingerpendent!

The Ammenities 

•  Infinity Icing tub overlooking the frozen lake with views of The Pole unlike anything ever seen before.
• Landscaped outdoor lounges with groomed edible trees and fireplaces to roast marshmallows and gumdrops.
• Yoga and Barre Studio classes on the sundeck for the rare occasions when the sun is out. Flexibility does not come easy as a gingerperson but exercise is all the rage in the South Pole so give it a try…you’ll feel great, just don’t break a leg!
• Gingerpup Park and grooming station on the 2nd floor for your sweet gingerpooch
• Sky Fitness Center for working off the ounces and keeping your perfect cookie profile
• 16 person board room and conference room for those of you with family that needs to work while visiting (residents that live at the Gingerpendent are encouraged to relax all day every day, so work is not expected or encouraged)
• Free gumdrop realignment services on the first floor. Gumdrop coloring and sugar-coating will be additional charges but at a discounted rate.
• Vacation planning services and travel center for organizing your next trip south.
• Chef-inspired cuisine from the Muffin Man on Dreary Lane that can be delivered to your room 24 hrs/day.
• All you can eat candy shop featuring fresh delicacies hand-delivered from Santa’s Candy Shoppe.

**Note that 1⁄2 of all monies resulting from design competitions will be donated to the non-profit “Handrails for Life!”, which provides free handrail inspections for ginger-structures with cantilevered balconies. Handrail failure is the second highest cause of ginger-deaths in the North Pole, second only to being eaten.

Jennifer Castilleja

• Project Manager
• Organized meetings
• Provided tools and general direction

Staci K Chase

• Architectural Lead
• Provided vision for the project’s story
• Lead decorative efforts

Hector Ortiz

• The Star
• Provided structural guidance and strategy
• Lead glazing efforts

The Structure

Design Challenges

• Structurally supporting (2)
• double span roofs
• Material strength/properties
• Frosting cure time
• Project transportation
• Logistical failure after first
• build
• Forming of window openings
• Lack of lateral support

The Home

Key Design Elements

• Double height space
• Open floor plan below extra wide roof
• Solar panel for off the grid energy
• Diamond shaped windows for gazing at the winter wonderland
• Not one, but two, clear story windows
• Inverted columns to complete the modern look
• Live in staff (hipster elves) included

When you think of Santa Claus, what comes to mind? Elves? Toys? Reindeer? None of that would have any context
without the sleigh.

Our structure takes its inspiration from the vehicle that takes Santa across the globe and into the dreams of
children. It provides shelter for Santa’s sleigh and itself is generally shaped like his vehicle.

At top, we envisioned a path to manage the take off and landing of the reindeer. Behold as Rudolph himself grazes at the grass featured at the green roof. The red gumdrops serve as lighting, FAA-approved, to guide the animals in from their flights. The upper-level, wrap-around deck features a cozy hot tub with which Santa and Mrs. Claus relax in the shrill Arctic’s cold air. The ground floor features an open sleighport for quick-access covered parking for the all-important sleigh.

Structural Design Criteria

The structure is to be designed in accordance with the requirements of the International Reindeer Code (IRC), 2018 Edition, and the following standards:

• Building Code Requirements for Structural Cardboard, American Cardboard Institute, ACI 318-11
• Manual of Sugar Construction (LRFD), American Institute of Sugar Construction, 14th Edition
• Minimum Design Loads for Fictional Buildings and Other Imaginary Structures, American Society of Christmas
• Engineers, ASCE 7i-10

The design loads shall be as follows:

• Superimposed Dead Loads (to scale):

• Floor glazing (where applicable) 10 psf

• Gumdrop and M&MEP allowance 10 psf

• Green roof assemblies* 75 psf

• Confectionary cladding 50 psf

*Roof dead load will vary depending on roof drainage plan, thickness of soil layer, and density of reindeer leavings

Live Loads:

• Living and gathering areas 40 psf
• Balconies 60 psf
• Hot Tub 150 psf
• Green Roof* 100 psf
• Toy storage 125 psf

*Average reindeer weight should be confirmed with livestock engineer.

Wind Loads:

The structure shall be designed per Chapter 16, Section 1609 with a basic wind speed of 130 mph, Exposure C, Risk Category IV.

Seismic Loads:

The structure shall be designed per Chapter 16, Section 1613. The Seismic Site Class will be determined based on information from the arctic engineer when it becomes available.

Snow Loads:

• Ground snow load 1000 psf

Deflection Criteria

• Live Load Deflection L / 360
• Total Deflection L / 240
• Wind Deflection H / 400
• Members supporting peppermint bark L / 600

Materials:

• Cardboard
• Slab-on-Grade 4 psi
• Gingerbread 4,000 psi @ 2 hrs

Structures has grown significantly during our 26 years and after over 15 years in our old building, the time has come to move into a larger space. We are excited to announce our new address at:

6926 N. Lamar Blvd

Austin, TX 78752

We’re mere seconds away from the rail stop at Crestview Station! Please visit our contact page for further information.

Though we hit some snags during the design, we’re very proud of the model we made – Hunger Flew the Coop! We had a great turn out for support during the build, and everyone pitched in to find solutions to the design challenges. Our structure is an approximation of a birdcage, combining food and shelter into a single unit. The model is a reminder that it is often necessary to search for resources to ensure survival. In a perfect world, however, the search for food to alleviate hunger will not be a worry.

It was a lot of work but also made for a great learning experience. If you haven’t had a chance to view our structure at Barton Creek Square we encourage you to visit ours as well as the models made by other participants in the event. Many photos can be found on the Canstruction Austin Facebook page.

The dome topping during pre-build

The rings were painted yellow to match the vertical cans

Everyone hard at work during the build

In total, the team was able to raise nearly $5,500 for the cause. We and Sean are very grateful for everyone who participated in the walk and donated in support of Cheyenne’s Warriors and JDRF!

Cheyenne standing with her recognition placard

Dante, Jeff, and Lam walking with the crowd. Did you catch them on the Fox 7 news report?

We also know that Halloween’s around the corner because Sean Blanck, one of our BIM designers, tackles the holiday with aplomb. A craftsman and fan of all things horror, Sean and his family create massive sets at their home with the intention of terrorizing and entertaining their neighbors. This year, Sean’s fashioned a Victorian hearse, a coffin, and a witch’s den out of cardboard, glue, and paint. His yard will transform into the scene of a crash, and his front porch will become a witch’s den complete with cauldron and potion shelves. As expected, visitors will be greeted by a witch tending to the hearth.

Sean will be particularly busy this week. Not only is he prepping for Halloween, he is also leading his team, Cheyenne’s Warriors, in the JDRF walk on Sunday. The walk raises awareness of Type 1 diabetes and the team will walk together in support of his daughter Cheyenne who has the disease. Come join us at the walk and meet Sean in person!

An early build of this year’s crashed funeral carriage.

An unpainted build of the coffin

Pipe organ and chair that Sean built for his haunted house in 1997

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading global organization funding promising, life-changing T1D research. It’s their goal to progressively remove the impact of the disease from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. To learn more about JDRF visit their website.

Cheyenne’s Story – When Cheyenne was only three years old, her life changed forever when she was diagnosed with T1D. Cheyenne is now 11 years old and living and thriving despite her Type 1. Learn more about Cheyenne’s story here and watch her video. Please join us in making Cheyenne’s vision of a large team come true by signing up to join the team. Structures is committed to purchasing 70 team shirts and will match the first $2500 raised. Shirts will be available for pickup at Structures’ office the week before the walk. If you can’t walk, please donate on the team page and help spread the word. Don’t forget to also like Cheyenne’s Warriors’ Facebook page!

Date: Sunday, November 1st

Time: 10am

Distance: 2 miles

Location: Toney Burger Center (map)

Completed in 2008, the structure is a set of three uniquely designed levels that balancing and overlap one another, creating alternating cantilevers. Stacked Vierendeel trusses support the cantilevers while simultaneously allowing for the architecturally strategic window placement. The ground level consists of several retail shops, the upper level houses the Bercy Chen Studio, and the third level is a residential space.