Our Gingerbread competition is inspired by the CIRT National Design Competition that ACE Students across the country participate in each year. Your teams will have 3 categories to choose from as the inspiration for your gingerbread creations. Awards will be given to the top entries in each category!

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2025 Gingerbread Design and Build Competition Categories:  

1. Net Zero Data Center 

   • As AI technology expands, so does the demand for data centers, often at a cost to the environment and local resources. Design a Net Zero data center that minimizes its carbon footprint and respects the surrounding community. Your proposal should creatively conserve energy and water, reuse or recycle materials, and/or integrate renewable energy. Consider how the structure fits aesthetically and responsibly within its local environment. You may design a new facility or reimagine an existing one.​

2. Cultural Destination

   • ​Design an iconic structure or space that enhances an existing destination while honoring its cultural identity and community value. Your proposal should balance tourism growth with authenticity, boosting local business, improving accessibility, and supporting sustainable design. Projects may be new builds or thoughtful redesigns that strengthen connections between people, place, and purpose.​

3. Largest Structure   ​

   • Design the next tallest (or largest) gingerbread structure while remaining within the maximum base size.​