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Sandcastle Competition Committee

Co-Chair
Lisa Bench
Gensler
Lisa_bench@gensler.com

Co-Chair
Ashley Hesser
CD Paragon, PLLC
ahesser@cdparagon.com

Staff Liaison
Alex Moreno
alexm@aiahouston.org

Sandcastle Competition Committee

ABOUT THE 2025 EVENT

The American Institute of Architects and La Izquierda Fest partner to enrich the annual AIA Sandcastle Competition with music, vendors, and family-friendly activities at East Beach.

Competing teams have their eyes and shovels set on winning the prestigious Gold Bucket Award. Firms begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the day of the event, the teams – stretched along the beach front – meticulously sculpt their piles of sand and work non-stop for five hours.

The judging of the sculptures is rated on the originality of concept, artistic execution, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site.  At the end of the day, everyone goes home with memories of a great day at the beach filled with fun, sand, and sun.

Visit the main Galveston Sandcastle Festival page here!

For team questions, contact Alex.
For sponsorship questions, contact Aleks.

(Pictured: 2025 Gold Bucket Winner [1st Place], Shrek Love Island by PGAL + Manhattan)

Today

Sandcastle Competition Committee