See a Gingerbread Three-Decker at BSA Space

‘Boston Block Party’ by LDa Architecture & Interiors / Photo by Madeline Bilis

You can call it a three-decker or a triple-decker, but just don’t eat it.

The Community Design Resource Center’s gingerbread house design competition is back in its fifth year, and through January 2, you can see the confectionary creations in person at BSA Space.

This year, teams worked from the theme “Boston, You’re My Home” to create candy likenesses of the city. From three-deckers to the Gropius House, local architecture and landscape architecture firms built miniature, edible versions of housing in Boston and beyond. The eight gingerbread houses on display show details like a tiny Dunkin’ Donuts cup, a lit-up Frog Pond, Santa Claus causing delays on the Red Line, and more.

At the exhibit, you’ll spot classic frosted rooftops and candy cane arches, but keep an eye out for sidewalks made of sticks of gum, posts made of pasta, and walls made of saltines.

“The most fascinating thing is to see how architects bring their skills to creating gingerbread houses and creating candy creations,” says Elliya Cutler, BSA Space’s Program Manager for Civic Initiatives, pointing to “The Things We Share In Common” by Safdie Architects.

“They used their laser cutter from their model shop to laser cut the pieces of gingerbread. And if you look at the back of 111 Huntington and these buildings, you can see not only how precise the cuts are, but also how they’re blackened from the laser.”

Will the design make the cut? The competition’s winner is determined by whichever team raises the most donations for the CDRC. You can “vote” for a design by donating here.

Ahead, find a few highlights from the exhibit.

‘The Things We Share In Common’ by Safdie Architects / Photo by Madeline Bilis

The sharp outlines of those iconic buildings? That’s the work of Safdie Architects’ model shop laser cutter.

‘Moderate Delays in Service’ by designLAB architects / Photo by Madeline Bilis

A frosty Longfellow Bridge has a visitor in this portrayal by designLAB architects.

‘Moderate Delays in Service’ by designLAB architects / Photo by Madeline Bilis

Santa Claus seems to be causing moderate delays in T service.

‘Gropius House’ by Catherine Truman Architects / Photo by Madeline Bilis

The competition features two likenesses of Walter Gropius’ home in Lincoln. Gropius founded the Bauhaus School in Germany in 1919, and later moved to Boston. (He found work at the newly formed Harvard Graduate School of Design.)

‘Gropius House: Celebrate’ by Colin Smith Architecture / Photo by Madeline Bilis

Note the spaghetti and saltines in this rendition of the Gropius House.

‘Candywealth Avenue’ by Levi + Wong Design Associates / Photo by Madeline Bilis

These brick townhouses on “Candywealth Avenue” don window boxes and multicolored lights.

‘Candywealth Avenue’ by Levi + Wong Design Associates / Photo by Madeline Bilis

Plus, a conveniently placed Hubway station.

‘Candywealth Avenue’ by Levi + Wong Design Associates / Photo by Madeline Bilis

Around back, find a few toppled trash cans, along with Boston’s beloved rats and a strewn Dunkin’ Donuts cup.

‘Old State House’ by Michaela McGuire / Photo by Madeline Bilis

This Old State House model has all the gingerbread house staples.

‘Boston Block Party’ by LDa Architecture & Interiors / Photo by Madeline Bilis

A glass high-rise is juxtaposed with a smaller, older home in “Boston Block Party.” The design creates a composite of different buildings and houses in the city.

‘Boston Block Party’ by LDa Architecture & Interiors / Photo by Madeline Bilis

See the designs in person at BSA Space; the auction is online here. Winners will be announced at a free closing reception December 19, 6-8 p.m., BSA Space, 290 Congress St., Boston, architects.org.

MORE GINGERBREAD:

How to Make an Amazing Gingerbread House, According to Local Architects