The Great Architectural Bake Off hosted by WATG saw Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners claim the coveted title of 2017 architectural baking champion with a gingerbread interpretation of their design for the former bullring Arenas de Barcelona.
The event saw architecture and design royalty descend on London’s Fitzroy Square to compete to recreate the world’s most iconic buildings, entirely out of cake. Cake versions of Battersea Power Station, St Paul’s Cathedral and Stonehenge among this year’s edible architectural entries .
Competing teams, including Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners, MAKE Architects, Allies and Morrison and WATG, were asked to explore the London Festival of Architecture’s theme of ‘memory’ in their edible architectural creations.
Judges including renowned author and design critic, Alice Rawsthorn; Rose Carrarini, founder of Rose Bakery; and Harriet Thorpe of Wallpaper* witnessed a sponge version of St. Pauls Cathedral, Stonehenge adorned with marbled icing and a chocolate topped Battersea Power Station.
Marks were awarded for innovative use of materials, creativity, realistic representation and of course – taste. Guests enjoyed prosecco and tasters of the winning entries over the course of the afternoon.
Due to the high-standard of entries this year, runners-up prizes were awarded for two distinct categories. SOM was awarded ‘Tastiest Bake’ for their hazelnut infused Bienecke Library and WATG & Wimberly Interiors received an honourable mention for their edible Cathédrale de Brasilia, constructed with marbled sugar glass.
Ashley Fauguel, organiser of WATG’s Great Architectural Bake Off, stated: “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’s been a fantastic day for both spectators and competitors, as we watched the design elite construct their masterpieces in-front of our eyes. We were impressed with the bakers’ innovative technique and attention to detail and we expect next year to raise the bar even higher.”
This event was part of the London Festival of Architecture, Europe’s biggest annual architectural festival. Source and photos, Courtesy of PURPLE.
