ArCH Tours Committee

Neighborhood walking tours explore the architecture, design and history of Houston’s urban landscape. Each two hour tour is led by an enthusiastic ArCH trained docent. Tours take place Saturday mornings at 9 AM, October through May. Detailed descriptions of each tour are linked through the menu at the base of the banner image on this […]

Sandcastle Competition Committee

ABOUT THE 2024 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 – presented by 811 Call or Click Before You Dig! Competing teams have their eyes and shovels set on winning the prestigious Gold Bucket Award. […]

AIA/AGC

For the past 50 years, the AIA/AGC Joint Committee has provided a forum for the Design and Construction community to discuss pertinent issues related to the construction industry. The Committee’s goal is to promote cooperation among all the participants and to develop tools that support a collaborative process. One tool developed by this Committee is […]

Advocacy and Permitting Committee

AIA Houston’s Advocacy Committee and Permitting Taskforce actively work to help promote the voice of over 2,000 local architects. By coming together we accomplish in our practices and our region that which no single architect can do alone. We are Architects in Action. This committee focuses on local advocacy including code adoption, permitting, and all […]

Interior Architecture Committee

The Interior Architecture Committee advocates for the advancement of the practice of Interior Architecture and Interior Design within the Architectural community, the education community, and the public at large.

Galveston Sandcaste Festival Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 37th AIA Sandcastle Competition! GOLD BUCKET (1st Place)Architect Insane AsylumZiegler Cooper + Paradigm ConstructionCategory: Traditional Castle BRONZE SHOVEL (3rd Place)Dexter’s ConservatoryKirksey + Tellepsen + MGCCategory: Kidtastsic: Saturday Morning Cartoons Best Small TeamTADAO ANDUSAGAGE ArchitectureCategory: Mythology Best Team T-ShirtSticking With TraditionGensler/HarveyCategory: Traditional Castle Best Team SignageMad Garden Par-TeaPGAL/Manhattan ConstructionCategory: Nature/Floral/Botanicals […]

Teams: Frequently Asked Questions

The 2024 Official Competition Rules can be downloaded here. RAIN / INCLEMENT WEATHERThe Sandcastle event will proceed rain or shine. We are always concerned for the health and safety of our participants and guests, therefore only in the event of a natural disaster would the event be canceled.  If there are any changes, we will update […]

Sandcastle Building Tips

1. Screen your sand of debris by using a laundry net. It will save you time and provide you a clean start. 2. Start on the Hard Pack, no soft sand foundations. In the links below you will find people who provide building tips and private lessons. Lucinda Wierenga – Private Lessons The Amazing Walter […]

Sustainability Efforts

In 2023 our 125+ team participants collected over 200lbs of waste and recycling off of the beautiful sandy beaches of Galveston! To support the AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence, we addressed the negative impact the Sandcastle Competition potentially has on Galveston’s East Beach.Therefore, this year we organized our first “Beach Clean-up” and will continue to do […]

2024 Sandcastle Teams in order of registration

Adjusted Team Sites SITE 1: VLK ArchitectsSITE 2: GAGE ArchitectureSITE 3: Martinez Architects + JERDONSITE 4: THR3E Design + Rogers O’Brien + SSRSITE 5: Rice UniversitySITE 6: PBK ArchitectsSITE 7: CDI Douglass Pye, INCSITE 8: Powers BrownSITE 9: Browne Mcgregor Architects. + LJB EngineeringSITE 10: GOLD BUCKET (1st Place) SYDNEY LENOIR PUBLIC FAVORITE                Kirksey + Tellepsen + MGCSITE […]