The inPLACE Design team participated in AIA Baltimore and the Baltimore Architecture Foundation’s, “The Ultimate Gingerbread Design Competition.” We created an homage to Baltimore, showcasing many of the great buildings and places in the city. It took weeks of hard work in the studio and outside the studio to make our creation. All of the elements of our build were edible except the wood base. Gingerbread buildings, sugar water, graham cracker sidewalks, icing and coconut snow, caramel reindeer, and other candy goodies.
“Oh boy, what a city!”
The diorama surrounds the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Many well known Baltimore buildings were incorporated including the B&O Railroad Museum, The Bromo Seltzer Tower, The Washington Monument, The Bank of America Building, The William Donald Shaeffer Building, 100 East Pratt, One Charles Center, The Shot Tower, The Basilica of the Assumption, The Patterson Park Pagoda, One South Street, Brewers Hill with the iconic BOH Sign, City Hall, Rowhouses of course, Federal Hill, Rash Field, The American Visionary Art Museum, National Aquarium, Baltimore World Trade center, Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, and a few others. Also, Mr. Trash Wheel is front and center cleaning up the harbor. The Baltimore Zoo penguins are visiting the harbor and “Chessie”, the Chesapeake Bay’s resident sea monster makes an appearance. Above all that Mr. BOH Clause is flying over the city with his reindeer delivering a bit of hon.
Our gingerbread architecture called, “Oh Boy, what a city!” received 2nd place in a field of wonderful edible architecture. Our entry was on display for a few weeks at The Center for Architecture and Design at the base of Mies van der Rohe’s One Charles Center. We had a great time, and we are looking forward to next years competition! Check out our video:
Ultimately our “Oh boy, what a city!” met its end at Whispering Rise Farm and Animal Sanctuary. Whispering Rise farm cares for surrendered and rescued potbelly pigs. Our gingerbread architecture made a quick sweet snack for those hungry pigs, especially “Sweetie” one of the biggest pigs of Herd 4 (the “Visually Pleasing” herd). Watch the herd devour our city:
inPLACE Design is an architecture, planning, and design firm with the experience and capabilities to create extraordinary, engaging, and inspiring placemaking in cities, towns and suburbs both nationally and internationally. We are dedicated to design excellence and innovative design strategies that are environmentally responsible and sustainable.
