The AEC industry hit the beach this past weekend for the 28th annual AIA Sandcastle Competition. Above, Matrix Design was awarded the Gold Bucket, recognizing its design “Enter the Dragon” as the year’s best. (And you thought your game of paper football at the office was really "epic.")

Gensler won the Silver Shovel (second place) and best traditional sandcastle for its Very Merry Un-Birthday creation. The team had 40 people from Gensler and Harvey working throughout the rainy day—they used 30 cubic yards of sand and a mind-boggling 1,100 gallons of water (not counting rainwater that Mother Nature generously provided). After five hours of work, the sandcastle topped out at nine feet. Rounding out the top three was Dow Chemical, which earned the Bronze Shovel for its Super Sand Bros.

Seeberger & Associates and Henderson Engineers teamed up for this Sun of a Beach entry. You can see the sandcastle peeking out behind this stand-in sign that Seeberger painted. (Seeberger groupies Matt and Michael had fun posing here.) It was a year of extras—down the strip, Kirksey’s Muppet Rushmore included a functioning muppet show stage built by its Michael La Nasa. (Grumpy muppets Statler and Waldorf entertained passersby all day.) That team won best signage and also took away first place in the Stars and Stripes category and fourth place overall.

Another beautiful sign, courtesy of FKP's Shannon Oliveria and Shelby Papp and friends Liz Conroy, Claire Conroy, and Kate Conroy.