Batter, Bake & Build: Melbourne’s Great Architectural Baking Competition

 2019 is a significant milestone for the University of Melbourne as they celebrate 150 years of built environment education. The BE-150 program has been developed to celebrate this milestone. ‘Batter, Bake & Build: Melbourne’s Great Architectural Baking Competition’ is central to this recognition, offering an opportunity for fun, creative expression and a celebration of architecture, design and culinary talents. 

Held over the weekend of the 17-18 August during the University of Melbourne’s Open Day, the competition saw 30 entrants vying for 5 categories of prizes. 

 Judges: 

Professor Donald Bates: Melbourne School of Design Associate Dean (Engagement), Chair of Architectural Design 

Thao Armstrong: Founder, Don’t Tell Charles 

Eid Goh: Director, Architects EAT 

 Winners: 

 1st Place: Zarah Noriel 'Flinders Street Station - beyond the clocks' 

 2nd Place: Monica Nam 'Structures in Chaos' (Southbank Theatre) 

 3rd Place: Sharyn Frantz 'Storey Hall Annex. 1995 ARM Architecture, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne' 

 Student Award: Caroline Lee ‘Arts Centre’ 

 People’s Choice Award: Xin Ying Choo ‘Manchester Unity’ 

 What was the competition brief? 

• This year’s theme ‘Batter, Bake & Build: Recreating Melbourne’s iconic buildings’ tested design and engineering expertise to recreate Melbourne’s architectural icons in cake or baked form. 
• The cakes must be baked and edible. 
• Entries have to be based on buildings within the Melbourne CBD (both current or historical buildings) 
• In the recreation of buildings, contestants were encouraged to explore their creativity. They were welcome to interpret, translate and apply their vision into their cake design with unlimited creativity. 

Q&A: 

• It offers an opportunity for fun, creative expression and celebrates architecture, design and culinary talents. 
• It offers students, staff and the general public and alternative avenue for creative architectural and design expression. 
• It also provides a different avenue for people to experience architecture, design and baking. 
• The Melbourne School of Design (and the University of Melbourne more broadly) is always looking for new avenues to explore and express design and architecture. This competition is a great example of that. 

How was the competition received? 

It’s the only the first year but the competition has was very well received: 

• More than 140 registered; 
• 30 cakes entered; 
• Entries received from University students, architectural and design professionals, bakers, as well as the general public.

What were the categories and prizes? 

• Public Open to established and aspiring practitioners, professionals and the general public (including students, University staff and alumni) $2,500 in prizes 
• Student Open to University of Melbourne students. With $1,000 in prizes 
• People’s Choice Most popular cake assessed by public vote $1,000 in prizes