ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- It was a delicious chance for people to test their building skills on Saturday. The Stearns History Museum hosted the first of its two Gingerbread Architecture: The Sweet Element of Design classes at Granite City Innovations. A sold-out class of all ages had to design blueprints, apply for a building permit, and then build their gingerbread house.

READ MORE: Join A Gingerbread Architecture Workshop This Saturday In St. Cloud

Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Whitney Lougheed with JLG Architects teaches people about design through gingerbread, PHOTO by Paul Habstritt, WJON
Whitney Lougheed with JLG Architects teaches people about design through gingerbread, PHOTO by Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...

JLG Architects' Whitney Lougheed taught the class and says they were not too strict on the blueprints before approving the gingerbread house permits.

"I think if they've got a door and some windows, and that they've got a site plan, we're gonna approve it so that they can build. I think that's a really good starting point for kids to understand how it all actually works in the real world (laughs)."

 

Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...

How much do kids know before they take the class?

Lougheed says it was great to see all the kids taking part in the class and for them to have those lightbulb moments along the way:

"Kids really do have a good understanding of what architecture is already, which is great to be able to do that. I think sometimes looking and thinking about things three-dimensionally is har,d and so this is a good opportunity to see that in plans and then see it come to life in an actual three-dimensional structure."

She says sometimes the kids can get carried away and eat more of the decorations than they use on their house, but in the end, that is half the fun. The next Gingerbread Architecture: The Sweet Element of Design will be held on December 6th at Harvest Church in Freeport, and it costs $15 to attend. Pre-registration is required.

Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Whitney Lougheed shows kids their gingerbread building permit, PHOTO by Paul Habstritt, WJON
Whitney Lougheed shows kids their gingerbread building permit, PHOTO by Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...
Paul Habstritt, WJON
Paul Habstritt, WJON
loading...

READ MORE FROM AUTHOR PAUL HABSTRITT


98.1 Minnesota's New Country logo
Get our free mobile app

LOOK: What Christmas was like the year you were born

To see how Christmas has changed over the last century, Stacker explored how popular traditions, like food and decorations, emerged and evolved from 1920 to 2021 in the U.S. and around the world. 

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: Holiday gift crazes and fads of the past century

Stacker compiled a list of toy crazes from the past 100 years. 

Gallery Credit: Jennnifer Billock

LOOK: These Nostalgic Decorations Will Bring Back the Magic of Christmas Past

From snow-in-a-can to disco ball ornaments, childhood Christmases were pure magic—and filled with buckets of glitter. Did your favorite holiday decorations make the list?

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

More From 98.1 Minnesota's New Country