To kick off Halloween weekend, watch NYC architects face off in a pumpkin-carving contest

Don’t expect to see typical Jack-o’-lanterns at the Center for Architecture’s pumpkin-carving event this Halloween. On Oct. 26, 20 New York City-based architecture firms will face off at Pumpkitecture!, the center’s third annual competition, which tests the ability of architects to create amazing designs across any medium (ie: a round, orange gourd). Attendees can watch the architects live-carve inventive structures and vote for the People’s Pumpkin.

MVVA’s bubbling cider brook; photo by Daniel Cole for Center for Architecture

The carving lasts just 75 minutes and contestants will then have to defend their designs to the jurors. After a deliberation, the jurors will pick a winner of the Pritzerpumpkin. Festive-food and beverages are included.

The event, which is part of Archtober, is happening at 536 LaGuardia Place. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for AIA members. Register here.

Firms participating in this year’s carving contest include:

• Alloy
• Architecture Research Office (ARO)
• Center for Architecture
• Davis Brody Bond
• Ennead Architects
• HWKN
• Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU)
• Rafael Viñoly Architects
• REX
• ROGERS PARTNERS Architects+Urban Designers
• SCAPE
• SITU
• SOFTlab
• TEN Arquitectos
• WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape Urbanism

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