Designs in the Sand: Where to See the Best Sandcastles
Find a sand-sculpting event near you to see how pros build their amazing structures
Brenna Malmberg
May 25, 2017
Building and design pros can do incredible things with all kinds of materials, including sand. This summer, you can find them heading to the beach, not to relax, but to create awe-inspiring sand sculptures. Let’s take a look at what they build, how they do it and how you can get in on the summer fun.
Who Builds Sandcastles?
Some people take this art to the next level and spend hours building and even more time planning their sand creations. Those people include master sand sculptors and professional builders.
One event that includes people who know the building and planning process well is the Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition in Galveston, Texas. This event is hosted by AIA Houston, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and is packed with participants from area architectural firms. This year, more than 60 teams will participate in the event on June 3. Check back next week to see our coverage of the event.
The sand sculpture that won the competition last year is shown above. It was created by Kirksey Architecture.
Some people take this art to the next level and spend hours building and even more time planning their sand creations. Those people include master sand sculptors and professional builders.
One event that includes people who know the building and planning process well is the Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition in Galveston, Texas. This event is hosted by AIA Houston, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and is packed with participants from area architectural firms. This year, more than 60 teams will participate in the event on June 3. Check back next week to see our coverage of the event.
The sand sculpture that won the competition last year is shown above. It was created by Kirksey Architecture.
What Is It Like to Participate?
Over the years, James Evans, director of design and owner of Collaborative Designworks, has been involved in the AIA competition in a number of ways.
The first time he attended it was 1996 when he was an intern with an architecture firm. “I was more as manual labor than anything else,” he says. “I carried buckets of sand and water around in the hot sun.”
This experience got him interested in the event and taught him that anyone, regardless of skill, could participate. While he hauled materials around, he got to watch more experienced builders work. The tall structures, such as this one from Dow SandCastlers that won second place last year, really impressed him, and the crowds as well.
Since then, he’s helped on many other creations, but he doesn’t see himself as a master builder. “I have never been on a winning team of any sort,” he says with a laugh.
Over the years, James Evans, director of design and owner of Collaborative Designworks, has been involved in the AIA competition in a number of ways.
The first time he attended it was 1996 when he was an intern with an architecture firm. “I was more as manual labor than anything else,” he says. “I carried buckets of sand and water around in the hot sun.”
This experience got him interested in the event and taught him that anyone, regardless of skill, could participate. While he hauled materials around, he got to watch more experienced builders work. The tall structures, such as this one from Dow SandCastlers that won second place last year, really impressed him, and the crowds as well.
Since then, he’s helped on many other creations, but he doesn’t see himself as a master builder. “I have never been on a winning team of any sort,” he says with a laugh.
His appreciation for the master builders led Evans to become a judge for the event. The creations are judged by a panel on originality of concept, artistic execution, technical difficulty, carving technique and use of the site.
“I really enjoy judging because I get to see all the designs,” he says. “When I was building, I really only got to see mine.”
Last year, the sights included the entry by Gensler + Harvey, shown above, featuring characters from Disney’s Cars movies. It won third place.
Judges pay close attention to the details of each entry, ensuring the sculptures match the contestants’ drafted plans.
“I really enjoy judging because I get to see all the designs,” he says. “When I was building, I really only got to see mine.”
Last year, the sights included the entry by Gensler + Harvey, shown above, featuring characters from Disney’s Cars movies. It won third place.
Judges pay close attention to the details of each entry, ensuring the sculptures match the contestants’ drafted plans.
Tools of the Trade
On the beach, sculptors use many tools. Master sand sculptors Bill and Marianne Knight carry around about 50 different tools, but their go-to implements include concrete trowels, paint palette knives, straws and brushes. They also carry around custom letter tools to help on wordy projects such as this piece they made for Good Morning America to celebrate the first National Seashell Day.
The Knights are full-time sand sculptors and run their own business called The Sand Lovers. Together they can build a 4-by-6-foot structure in about five to six hours.
On the beach, sculptors use many tools. Master sand sculptors Bill and Marianne Knight carry around about 50 different tools, but their go-to implements include concrete trowels, paint palette knives, straws and brushes. They also carry around custom letter tools to help on wordy projects such as this piece they made for Good Morning America to celebrate the first National Seashell Day.
The Knights are full-time sand sculptors and run their own business called The Sand Lovers. Together they can build a 4-by-6-foot structure in about five to six hours.
Learn How to Make Sand Creations
It’s never too late to start learning how to work with sand. Bill Knight, a professional sculptor for 16 years, recommends taking a class from a professional sand sculptor, entering an amateur contest, watching other competitions and then practicing, practicing, practicing.
Some competitions also feature demonstrations from master sculptors, such as Bill, for an extra learning opportunity.
It’s never too late to start learning how to work with sand. Bill Knight, a professional sculptor for 16 years, recommends taking a class from a professional sand sculptor, entering an amateur contest, watching other competitions and then practicing, practicing, practicing.
Some competitions also feature demonstrations from master sculptors, such as Bill, for an extra learning opportunity.
Attend an Event Near You
One reason AIA Houston started its competition was to expose the public to architecture and design. The event lets people meet architects and learn what they do. The same can be said for other sandcastle events around the country. “It’s also just really, really fun,” Evans says.
Here’s a list of upcoming events around the country:
More
Houzz Call: Show Us Your Sandbox
Browse other stories about events
One reason AIA Houston started its competition was to expose the public to architecture and design. The event lets people meet architects and learn what they do. The same can be said for other sandcastle events around the country. “It’s also just really, really fun,” Evans says.
Here’s a list of upcoming events around the country:
- 31st Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition, June 3, Galveston, Texas
- 17th Annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic, June 15-17, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
- Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, June 17, Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Blue Water SandFest, July 14-16, Port Huron, Michigan
- 36th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest, Aug. 27, Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, California
- U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge, Sept. 1-4, San Diego
- International Sand Sculpting Championship, Sept. 29-Oct. 8, Virginia Beach, Virginia
- American Sandsculpting Championship, Nov. 17-26, Fort Myers Beach, Florida
More
Houzz Call: Show Us Your Sandbox
Browse other stories about events
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