Architects transform pumpkins into architectural masterpieces at AIA's annual Pumpkitecture competition

In the spirit of Halloween, architecture firms from the New York area gathered over the weekend to apply their architectural talents to the art of pumpkin carving. Competing for architecture's most prestigious Halloween-related prize, the AIA Pritzkerpumpkin, firms such as Rafael Viñoly, WEISS/MANFREDI, Henning Larsen, TEN Arquitectos and more crafted a slew of unusual designs that go beyond the traditional jack-o-lantern. 

Teams had 75 minutes to create their masterpieces, which ranged from the conceptual—such as Alloy's jack-in-the-box jack-o-lantern that took home first place—to the more technological—such as Ennead's, which transformed a pumpkin into an automatic drawing machine—each bringing their own unique design perspectives. 

Teams then presented their designs to a jury including Laila Gohar, chef and conceptual artist; Jing Liu, principal and co-founder at SO-IL, Harry Parr, principal and co-founder at Bompas & Parr Studio; and Omar Sosa, founder of Apartamento Magazine. Below, take a look at the architectural abominations.

Pritzkerpumpkin—Alloy

The People's Pumpkin/A Pathetic Consolation: Pretentioulicious—SITU

A Pathetic Consolation: Hell Tech—Ennead Architects

A Pathetic Consolation: Miserable Mess—Rafael Viñoly Architects

A Pathetic Consolation: Most Poetic—Practice for Architecture and Urbanism

A Pathetic Consolation: Most Profound—Davis Brody Bond

A Pathetic Consolation: The Totem—WEISS/MANFREDI