AIA BRAZOS

GINGERBREAD BUILD-OFF

SUNDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2026, 10:00AM - 3:00PM

The AIA Brazos Emerging Professionals’ Committee, along with the Texas A&M American Institute of Architects’ Student Chapter (AIAS), is thrilled to host this year's "AIA Brazos Gingerbread Build-Off.”

This one-day, holiday event will allow local building-industry, design, and creative professionals to show off their confectionary skills while promoting community engagement and raising funds in support of education. Teams will race to complete construction of their designs onsite before the judges choose their favorites in four categories (Best Iconic Architecture, Best Aggie-Centric, Best Holiday-Themed, Gingerlicious (best use of gingerbread)) during the designated timeframe. The public is invited to watch the progress, take their kids by the Kids Build Area to decorate their own sugary creations, engage with team members to learn more about the designs, and vote for their choice in the People's Favorite category.

We hope you will join us! Please read more about our beneficiaries and opportunities for involvement below. We will also be posting updates through the AIA Brazos social media pages and to the Facebook event page.

2025 GINGERBREAD COMMITTEE

Chairs: Marcus Gibbon, AIA Amanda Rotter, Assoc. AIA Committee Colin Buckley, Assoc. AIAMembers: Sarah Doyle, AIA Ashton Holliday, AIA Hayden Roberts, AIA

Contact: gingerbread@aiabrazos.org

2019 Gingerbread Build-Off

2020 Gingerbread Build-Off

2021 Gingerbread Build-Off

2022 Gingerbread Build-Off

2023 Gingerbread Build-Off

2024 Gingerbread Build-Off

2025 Gingerbread Build-Off

BENEFICIARIES

Architecture in Schools // This program introduces Architecture to elementary school students in the Brazos Valley. Students are asked to play “Architect” over an eight-week period, laying out a community plan, designing a building, and incorporating sustainable aspects learned in the lessons. Students also grasp concepts such as problem solving, critical thinking skills, and spacial awareness, which reach far beyond the architecture profession and will benefit their educational goals no matter their field of study.

AIAS Leadership Scholarship // Texas A&M AIAS members are the future of our profession and the future designers of our communities. Engaging them in the profession early in their path to licensure and showing them the impact they can have on society through their careers helps encourage them to remain stewards of architecture. The AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference grant gives students the opportunity to gain valuable skills and see how activism within architecture is beneficial to us all.

AIA Brazos Emerging Professionals // Emerging Professionals are those in the architecture profession seeking licensure or who are recently licensed. To engage our young and aspiring members, further their careers, and develop future leaders in our profession and community we will provide a scholarship to attend the Texas Society of Architects 2026 Design Expo and Conference. This annual event allows architects from across the state to connect, learn about the latest developments in architecture, and reinvigorate their passion of building strong communities.

SPONSORSHIP + REGISTRATION

This event is only possible with the generosity of our sponsors (listed below). They provide the funds, services, and materials required to put on the event and contribute to the amounts raised for our beneficiaries. If you would like to become a sponsor, we would very much appreciate your support. Please contact us at gingerbread@aiabrazos.org to learn more about the opportunities and benefits available.

To guarantee inclusion of your information on event materials, please turn in your sponsorship form by 21 November 2025.

Spots are limited! Please contact us at gingerbread@aiabrazos.org to learn about forming a team.

Teams will develop their original designs in the months leading up to the event and construct them on site, in view of the public, on the day of. No pre-fab elements permitted! A team of expert judges will critique the final creations and announce the winners at the conclusion of the event.

Early registration (including free extra materials) ends on 10 October 2025. Final registration deadline is 14 November 2025.

ATTENDANCE

This event is free and open to the public. Bring your friends and families to enjoy the festive atmosphere, let the youngest members of your party decorate gingerbread cookies of their own in the Kids Build Area, and see the amazing talents of this community's design and construction professionals. Stop by for an hour or come for the whole day!

Sunday parking is free at Century Square and the competition field will be located in The Green, the heart of their restaurant offerings.

09:00AM Team Check-in

10:00AM Build-Off Begins

03:00PM Build Ends/Cleanup Begins

03:30PM Judging Begins

04:00PM Awards Announced

EVENT MAP

2025 KIDS BUILD AREA SPONSORs

Serving infants through kindergarteners, this early education and care center seeks to nurture curiosity, confidence, creativity, and compassion in its charges.

To learn more visit: Primrose Schools | The Leader in Early Education and Care