With shovels in hand and buckets at the ready, more than 40 Houston Airports employees and contractors descended on East Beach in Galveston on Saturday, September 21, to showcase their creativity and teamwork at the annual AIA Sandcastle Competition. The event, hosted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in partnership with La Izquierda Fest, was a full-day spectacle that combined art, design and engineering prowess against the stunning backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Houston Airports team was one of 39 competing for the prestigious Gold Bucket Award, a highly coveted prize in this annual showdown of sculptural skill. Months of preparation culminated in a flurry of activity as the teams sculpted their masterpieces on the sun-drenched beach. The day began early, with teams arriving at 6:30 a.m. to stake out their designated sections of sand, but the real magic happened between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the artists and volunteers worked relentlessly to carve, mold, and perfect their creations.

“We had employees from every corner of the organization—finance, infrastructure, external affairs and terminal management — come together for this competition,” said Mimi Tsai, Interim Assistant Director of Design for Houston Airports. “It’s amazing to see so many people volunteering their time, not just to build something beautiful, but to enjoy a great day of camaraderie on the beach.”

As the clock ticked closer to the 3 p.m. deadline, misters strategically sprayed the sand sculptures to keep them from crumbling under the Texas heat, ensuring that the fine details remained intact for judging. The Houston Airports entry, inspired by Houston’s aviation history, wowed the crowd with its intricate designs and dynamic structures.

This year, Houston Airports used sand to replicate the 1940 Houston Municipal Airport Terminal Building, which is located near William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). The Art Deco structure—which is now a museum—was designed by noted local architect Joseph Finger. The terminal, which also housed airport administrative functions and the airport control tower, opened on September 28, 1940, and served the airlines and their passengers until the spring of 1955.

Judges assessed the creations based on several criteria: originality of concept, artistic execution, technical difficulty, carving technique and effective use of the site. Though the competition was fierce, the true victory was the sense of pride and teamwork felt by all participants. The team remained hopeful as they awaited the announcement of the Gold Bucket winner, feeling confident they had left their mark in the sand.

“The entire day was a blend of fun and focus,” said Gary High, Chief Development Officer for Houston Airports. “It was inspiring to see everyone working toward a common goal, whether they were hauling water from the Gulf, sketching designs or keeping the sand sculptures moist to prevent collapse.”

While the day’s main event was the sandcastle competition, the AIA partnered with La Izquierda Fest to transform the beach into a vibrant festival atmosphere. Live music, food vendors and family-friendly activities added to the excitement, with festivalgoers wandering between sandcastles and enjoying the entertainment.

As the sun set on the beach and the awards ceremony approached, the Houston Airports team reflected on a day filled with creativity, teamwork and a shared sense of accomplishment. Houston Airports won Best Architecture Icon, one of the theme-based categories featured in the competition. 

Houston Airports' participation served as a powerful reminder of the organization's strength and unity—and the belief that next year, they just might dig their way to the Gold Bucket. This is the second year Houston Airports has participated in the AIA Sandcastle Competition in Galveston. This year’s participation grew by 100% with more employees participating from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).