DSGW Architecture Creates Annual Gingerbread Village

DULUTH, Minn. — An architectural firm in Duluth is bringing the holiday spirit to the Northland.

DSGW Architecture has built their annual Gingerbread Village. The company started this tradition during the pandemic as a way to get together and celebrate when they couldn’t have their Christmas parties.

It has expanded over the years with themes such as a ski village and Hawaiian Christmas. This year’s theme is the City of Gingeropolis with way bigger builds than they’ve ever had.

Around 20 people work together to create the village. In the past they’ve used 50 pounds of powdered sugar to make frosting.

“I think it’s really interesting cause like as an architecture firm obviously the people who participate are not all architects and designers, there’s everyone who like helps us out at the firm accountants, you know administrative assistants, just everybody. So, I think it’s really cool to see what comes out of that and sometimes you’ll find maybe that architects don’t have like the most structurally sound building. I can speak for myself there. Mine was very difficult to transport,” said Vicki Noe, architect at DSGW.

The firm made a donation to Second Harvest food bank, equivalent to what they spent on the sweet display. They also gave to Stepping on Up and a few other organizations.

The gingerbread village will stay up till the first or second week of January, and then they do a ceremonial smashing. It is on display for the public to see at DSGW’s location, at 2 West 1st Street Suite 201.