The Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City

The Gingerbread City 2025/2026 is the flagship exhibition of the Museum of Architecture (MoA), currently on display at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, London, until January 4, 2026. This year’s theme, “The Playful City,” challenges over 50 leading architectural firms, engineers, and designers to create a miniature metropolis entirely from gingerbread, icing, and candy. The exhibition explores how urban design can foster joy, curiosity, and connection. Key highlights include Pui Man’s “Future of Olympia” showstopper, interactive gingerbread house-making workshops, and the “Gendo Button”—an AI-powered feature that turns visitors into gingerbread figures.

Introduction: A Sweet Blueprint for the Future

Forget traditional scale models made of plastic and foam. At the Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City, the scent of cinnamon and ginger replaces the smell of adhesive, and “construction-grade” gingerbread forms the backbone of a sprawling, edible urban landscape.

Now in its ninth edition, this exhibition has moved to the vibrant setting of Coal Drops Yard. It is far more than a festive attraction; it is a serious architectural exercise wrapped in a whimsical shell. By tasking professional designers to work with unconventional materials, the MoA encourages the public to engage with complex urban issues—such as sustainability, social cohesion, and the importance of play—in a way that is accessible and magical.

1. The 2025 Theme: “The Playful City”

The current exhibition focuses on a vital but often overlooked architectural principle: Play.

In “The Playful City,” designers have reimagined urban spaces as environments that spark curiosity for all ages. Instead of rigid, functional zones, the 2025 city features:

• Vertical Classrooms: Schools where slides replace stairs to connect levels.
• Rewilded Rooftops: Edible “green” spaces made of mossy-green icing and candy-floss trees.
• Interactive Infrastructure: Public squares that double as massive board games or climbing walls.
• Inclusive Design: Gingerbread ramps and sensory gardens that illustrate how playful design can benefit people of all abilities.

2. Key Highlights of the 2025/2026 Exhibition

The Gingerbread Showstopper

A major draw this year is the “Future of Olympia,” a collaboration between SPPARC Architects and Pui Man, a star of the Great British Bake Off. This intricate model is inspired by the real-world redevelopment of the Olympia London exhibition center, reimagined through a lens of sugar and spice.

The AI Gingerbread Button (Powered by Gendo)

In a first for the exhibition, visitors can interact with the “Gendo Button.” This AI design platform allows guests to take a photo and, through an generative algorithm, see themselves transformed into a stylized gingerbread character living within the miniature city.

Notable Participants

Over 50 practices have contributed, including:

• Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design: Creators of the “Gingerbread New Town” masterplan.
• London School of Architecture (LSA): Whose students created the “Gingerbread Hall,” a reimagined church-turned-winter-wonderland.
• EPR Architects: Creators of the “Siren Crispie Reservoir.”

3. Visiting Logistics: Location & Tickets

Location

The exhibition is hosted at Unit 5, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4DQ. It is located on the Upper Viaduct level, near the Botanical Boys plant shop.

Opening Times (Until Jan 4, 2026)

• Weekdays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Weekends & Christmas Week: 9:00 AM – 6:15 PM
• Note: The exhibition is closed on December 25th.

Ticket Pricing

4. Hands-on Workshops: Building Your Own Metropolis

For those inspired by the professionals, the Gingerbread House-Making Workshops are a staple of the experience.

• What you get: Pre-baked gingerbread house kits, an abundance of sweets, and professional icing.
• Duration: Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Cost: Roughly £79 per kit (for a group of 2–4 people).
• Expert Sessions: Select sessions are led by Pui Man, offering “pro-tips” on structural icing and decorative flair.

5. 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the gingerbread real?

Yes! Every structure in the city is made from real gingerbread, icing, and sweets. However, because it stays on display for weeks, it is not safe to eat.

2. Can I eat the exhibit?

No. As tempting as it smells, you are strictly prohibited from nibbling on the buildings. They are held together with “construction-grade” icing and have been exposed to the air for a long period.

3. How long does it take to see the exhibition?

The average visit lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, though architecture enthusiasts may want longer to study the intricate details.

4. Is the site wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the exhibition space at Coal Drops Yard is fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

5. Who designs the city?

The city is based on a masterplan developed by Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design. Individual plots are then “purchased” and built by professional architecture and engineering firms.

6. Where does the money go?

The Gingerbread City is a fundraising event for the Museum of Architecture (MoA), a UK charity that promotes public engagement with architecture and supports architectural entrepreneurship.

7. Can children attend?

Absolutely! It is a family-favorite event. However, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

8. Are there allergens in the exhibit?

Yes. The gingerbread and candy contain wheat, eggs, milk, gluten, and soy, and are made in an environment that may contain nuts. Some specific buildings use nuts as decorative elements.

9. Can I bring a large bag or suitcase?

There are no cloakroom facilities on-site. Visitors are asked not to bring large backpacks, suitcases, or scooters.+1

10. Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, pre-booking is highly recommended as time slots often sell out, especially during the festive holidays.

11. Can I buy a pre-made house?

You can purchase gingerbread kits to take home or participate in an on-site workshop to build one.

12. Has the exhibition been in other cities?

While primarily based in London, the MoA has previously held pop-ups in New York and collaborates with partners like the Toronto Society of Architects for similar events abroad.

13. How do the buildings stay upright?

Architects use “structural icing” (royal icing with a higher sugar-to-water ratio) and sometimes internal gingerbread supports. No non-edible supports are allowed in the main structures!

14. What happens to the city after January 4th?

The MoA aims to minimize waste; while the gingerbread isn’t eaten, the exhibition raises awareness for sustainable practices, and the materials are disposed of responsibly.

15. Are there any late-night sessions?

While there are no specific “Lates” like the skating rink, the exhibition remains open until 6:15 PM on weekends, allowing for a beautiful view of the illuminated city as the sun sets.

6. The Science of the “Bake”: Architecture vs. Confectionery

Constructing a gingerbread city requires a unique blend of skills. Professionals must account for humidity, which can cause gingerbread to soften and collapse, and sugar-glass tension when creating transparent windows.

Structural Innovations in the 2025 City:

• “Glacier Mint Bricks”: Used by Proctor & Matthews to create semi-translucent, illuminated walls.
• Sugar-Syrup Rinks: Created by the LSA team to simulate the reflective surface of ice.
• Spice-Reinforced Dough: Many teams add extra ginger and cinnamon not just for scent, but to create a denser, more rigid “biscuit brick.”

7. Conclusion: Why It Matters

The Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City proves that the way we talk about our cities doesn’t have to be dry or academic. By using a medium everyone understands—the gingerbread house—the MoA bridges the gap between professional planners and the public. Whether you’re there for the technical brilliance of the models or just the festive atmosphere, you’ll leave with a new perspective on how our urban spaces could be more joyful, inclusive, and, quite literally, “sweeter.”