Nov 14, 2013 09:26 am | Lisa Lance

A winter sports village built of gingerbread, coated in icing, and decked out with jelly beans, gumdrops, and candy canes will come to life this December as Gingertown returns once again to celebrate the creativity, generosity, and civic spirit of the Washington-area design, building, and real estate communities in Dallas, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. This annual initiative, founded in 2006 by David M. Schwarz Architects, will delight the eyes and spread holiday cheer to a host of local organizations that will receive the scrumptious structures.

“At its heart, Gingertown celebrates imagination in design, elegance of execution, and an incredible spirit of generosity. This year’s Gingertown also salutes the healthy spirit of competition and creative athleticism—exercising the collective talents and building techniques of architects, engineers, and contractors while bringing comfort and delight to those in need,” said Craig Williams, principal of David M. Schwarz Architects and honorary chairman of the Gingertown City Council.

A streetscape from Gingertown 2012

At three separate teams of two to 10 members will build more than 50 individual structures based on this year’s World Games theme. Visitors to the Gingertown locations can catch the spirit of competition with sites such as the Mt. Toblerone ski area, Peeps Arena, and Cool Whip Running Bobsled Track. Outstanding work will be honored in the categories of Most Innovative Use of Materials, Best Expression of Theme, Best Overall Design Quality, Best Overall Craftsmanship, Judge’s Choice and Mayor’s Award.

Following each city’s event, the hand-crafted structures will be donated and put on display at local hospitals, health care facilities and community support organizations to help spread the message of joy and hope during the holidays. In additiona, all sponsorships and other monies raised by Gingertown are donated to recipients of the structures.

Nemetschek Vectorworks is proud to be a sponsor of this event, along with The JBG Companies, JBG Rosenfeld Retail, PageSoutherlandPage, Walter P Moore, Frankies Folio, Geppetto Catering, Pennoni, Eric Colbert Associates, Clark Nexsen, Esocoff & Associates, GTM Architects, James G. Davis Construction, ZGF Architects, GPI and Hickok Cole.

For event dates and times, or to view the site plan, please visit the Gingertown website.