SN&F AIA Sandcastle

SANDBOX DIGGERS

The Design Office of Steve Neumann & Friends Environmental Graphics & Design Consultants

The 2006 Attempt....

A little background for those who have never played in the sand especially in a competitive manner. About 20 years ago, the Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects began a contest on Galveston Beach, in an attempt to gain awareness of the architectural profession, as well as promote friendly inter-firm rivalry. In 1995, The Design Office of Steve Neumann & Friends entered a small team of virgin castle builders, only to find out that playing with the "Big Boys" was something we were not prepared to do.

With time, we began to master the trade, and began winning little things. A "Best Sign" here, a good costume, there. For 10 years, a sandcastle done with "Alfred" has been the theme of the SN&F team, something that the crowd looked forward to. [The"Alfred" theme was in memory of Steve Neumann's father, Chancellor Alfred R. Neumann, who was a staunch supporter/reader/ collector and overall good sport in commemorating Mad Magazine's "What Me Worry" campaign, lead by Alfred E. Neuman.]

This year was special. It was the 20th anniversary of this AIA event, so the organizers decided to have a special contest : "THE BEST OF THE BEST" award. [Among the winners of the Golden Bucket of the past 20 years]. Not only could we win another Golden Bucket, but we could ALSO win the whole enchilada.... being the best of the best Texas has to offer. So we hung this huge carrot in front of us for five exciting hours.

History of our years competing....

1996 "Signs of the Time", a complete bust... virgins all of us in Castle Building.

1997 "What me worry" Bronze Shovel (3rd place).

1998 "The Full Alfred" won "That's Entertainment", Best Costume, and Best Team Sign.

199 "Absolut Alfred" won Best Team Signage, after our absolut bottle sculpture fell over.

2000 "Alfred E. for President" was like the election, a bust.

2001 We taught fellow SEGD members at our Annual Conference in Miami how to play in the sand.

2002 "Alfred Goes Pop Art", a complete disaster with 4,000 solo cups.

2003 "Beached Alfred" once again, we were lost in the sand.

2004 "Castle Count Alfred" The Golden Bucket (1st place).

2005 "Alfred's Guide to Sandcastle Building" Silver Shovel (2nd place), Best Traditional.

2006 Read on to find out!

June 5, 7 a.m., Galveston, East Beach.

We started with a pile of sand, about 10 cubic yards, generously piled on Site 38.

By 8 a.m., we were allowed to "add" a bit of sand to the front of our space.

Unfortunately, a "red" bucket bit back at Corinne, our Mayo Client, who ended up at John Sealy Hospital for 8+ stitches. Note the missing red bucket...

You've got to add a lot of water to make the sand "just right". Finger nail polish and beach sand is not a marriage made in heaven. Note the white bodies.

Victor, the "master", starting with the simple stuff at the top of the pile.

He found the "red" bucket and used it so that no one would get hurt.

Do you know how much that "little" pile of wet sand weigh?

The pile in the back never got moved; Melissa felt it was "just in the right location" per our CADD plans.

We laid out the perfect patterns to make the perfect letters.

Note the beginning of red bodies. Yes, the water was drunk before the bottle was used as a weight; sand tastes terrible in Galveston.

You might give some serious thought to what it really takes to carve out perfect letters. Read this as S L O W L Y C A R V E D and keep it wet!

On the spot decision making is the norm here. Where to place "Alfred" is always a touchy issue. Lillian and Melissa thought/discussed/moved and re-removed his face until he commanded the best location possible.

It's simple, just make "pattycake" and splat them together. Then repeat it a zillion times for one tower, then do it again, again, and again for 5 hours.

Someone said that it was around 98 degrees, with a cool breeze off the Gulf.

Sure...... [I think we devoured around 8 cases of bottled water.]

Only one person at a time on the "hill". Too many vibrations (i.e.: stomping) from the adjoining competitors could have toppled the main tower in a split second.

Instead of "pattycake", you press the patties into square logs, and voila, you get the Great Wall of China and a few million steps. Those letters are 8" thick!

Its around 4 hours into the torture. Note the guy in the background with the hat on backwards. He has yet to begin to panic and have the expected heart attack.

Corinne returns with hand in bandages, wants to work, but doc's orders are NO!!

Guys, eat your heart out on this one. It appears to be the masterpiece of the year, not to mention the killer of all prior Golden Bucket winners, past and present and maybe future.

Ohh.... we pulled out all the stops on this one. Note the real bamboo legs (real green ones sacrificed from the Studio's landscape). The gong had real class.

Somewhere out there are 2600 Chinese fans. Tried to bribe the crowd into giving us the "Crowd Favorite" award. (Fat chance, as someone else gave out Jello shooters...)

The judges are about 50 feet away. So we lined up in our silk Chinese pajamas, to show everyone the ultimate in "Crowd Appeal".

Alfred would have been real proud.

"Alfred" was in attendance and was THE CROWD favorite. Denise too, was proud of her youngest, while the boss cringed at what his father (the "real" Alfred Neumann) must now be thinking...

The T-Shirt contest. No way to go with the wet t-shirt concept this year, so we went with the "Asian" look. Seems it was vogue to be Asian this year.

A stunned crowd heard "The Design Office of Steve Neumann & Friends".

The 2006 Golden Bucket Winner!!!!!!!!!! (wow, we won again...)

A very humbled, modest studio owner and his assistant get the "media" treatment.

How do keep our composure, when you are the "best-of-the-best"?

This sucker is not light, but then 365 days from now, we have to give it back and get a real nice piece of glass. But wait, it needs to be polished - brass tarnishes in the salt/beach air. Note our name in 2004 as well.

They told us we could ONLY win three (3) awards this year....

So we won the ultimate triple crown for 2006....

Best Team Signage, THE Golden Bucket, and "THE Best of the Best"...

Not bad for a bunch of lowly Graphic Designers competing against 88 teams of Architects.

We were honored this year to be considered not only the 2006 First Place (Golden Bucket) team, but the Best Castle Builder for the past 20 years. With those honors, like Lance Armstrong who retired at the top of his game, we have decided to retire at the top of our competitive tenure. The 2007 winner will need an * after their name: "Steve Neumann & Friends did not participate this year."

Thanks to my friends: Melissa, Lillian, Susan, Denise, Chrissy, Corinne, Robert, Peter, Cathy, Victor, Johnny, Rocio, Chase, and of course, my wife Janet and daughters Stevie and Jackie who let me do it one more "time". v

The next generation "lusting" after what her father had just won....

B. Steve Neumann, SEGD Founder/Principal

The Design Office of Steve Neumann & Friends Environmental Graphics & Design Consultants

2405 Bartlett Street Houston, Texas USA 77098 v: 713.629.7501 f: 713.520.1171 e: www.snfriends.com For additional information: e-mail: steve@snfriends.com and we'll send you more wonderful thoughts on how to do it right!

The Results....

Alfred was real proud of his son that day.

[Everything which "needed" to be won, was won.]