The inaugural Singapore edition of WATG’s Great Architectural Bake-Off (GABO) was one of Archifest 2017 most popular fringe events. Held at the Working Capitol Keong Saik, GABO 2017 crown DP Architect’s Milo and durian-flavoured Esplanade creation as the winner of the competition, with CPG’s edible Gardens by the Bay honourably mentioned as the tastiest creation. 

One of our picks of 10 Things To Do At Archifest 2018, GABO Singapore returned last Saturday. Hosted at the new coworking space the Hive Carpenter, GABO Singapore 2018 saw eight architectural firms and agencies put their skills to the test using sugar, flour and other manners of culinary delights.

GABO Singapore 2018 took the theme of ‘Asian Icons’, which was described as “a statement of history, a building of symbolic value or a uniquely designed structure so much that it has had an impact to its community and location”.

Japan was the most inspiring country in the competition – three out of eight creations are located in the country. The team from Wilson Associates recreated Kyoto’s famous Kinkakuji with special edible gold leaf foil sourced from Bangkok. 

WATG paid homage to Tadao Ando’s Hill of the Buddha in Sapporo with a matcha-flavoured cake complete with a painstakingly detailed fondant buddha. 

Meanwhile, the URA wowed the crowd by recreating Herzog and de Meuron’s glazed Prada Aoyama boutique in Tokyo with 3D-printed sugar panels and sugar and matcha zen garden. 

SAA took the vernacular route by recreating the traditional Hakka tulou (earth houses) in Fujian, China.

Surbana Jurong found a decidedly more recent inspiration in China – OMA’s CCTV, which was rendered in textured grey fondant. 

RSP’s first entry in the competition was an edible take on Singapore’s own Changi Airport. 

JTC Singapore also took inspiration from home by modelling their cake after the recently refurbished Jurong Town Hall (read about the project in Cubes 91). 

Last year’s GABO champion DP Architects looked to Indonesia for inspiration and created a faithful (and incredibly detailed) cake of Jakarta’s iconic Wisma BNI 46. 

“We’re thrilled to have returned for the second year of the competition in Singapore,” said Bill Reed, Vice President and Senior Project Leader at WATG, Singapore. “Each team has showcased their undeniable skill and creativity offering a beautiful and delicious array of entries for the judges and guests to enjoy.”

The edible entries were judged by a panel of architecture and culinary industry experts, including Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental Singapore Mario Cittadino, Director of Park + Associates Christina Thean, Executive Chef at CÉ LA VI Joseph Sergentakis and F&B Manager at Park Hotel Group Chan Kiat Ng.

Wilson Associates’ Kinkakuji creation was awarded the second place while this year’s most delicious creation was awarded to JTC’s Jurong Town Hall creation.

URA team’s Prada Aoyama was crowned as the winner of GABO 2018. The judges were particularly impressed by the innovative use of 3D-printing for the creation’s sugar panels.

Were you there? See more pictures in the gallery below!

Lookout for more coverage of the Archifest 2018!