Husband and Wife Architects Create a Foundry for 3D Printed Sweets

Have you heard of Liz and Kyle von Hasseln? We’re going to go out on a limb and assume you haven’t. This makes us sad. You see, Liz and Kyle are architects. But not exactly your normal, average architects. No, they now specialise in the creation of sugar “buildings”.

Sugar Buildings? How Did That Come About?

They used to be focused on regular architecture until a friend’s birthday came along, and they decided to make her a special cake for the day.

Finding themselves without an oven good enough to bake a cake in, they thought they could instead use a 3D printer to produce one for her. Although it took rather a lot of trial and error, they eventually managed to produce a single cupcake topper, which spelled out her name (Chelsea) in cursive letters of sugar.

Sadly, it wasn’t ready until a few months after her birthday had been and gone, but hey – it’s the thought that counts, right? Chelsea “loved” it; the reaction they got was so overwhelmingly positive that the von Hasselns thought a business dedicated to it was viable.

And all this while still in uni!

The Beginnings of The Sugar Lab

Once the two of them graduated from university, they began to set the wheels in motion, deciding to start a mini design firm, specialising in the 3D printing of custom sugar designs.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking these are your everyday cake decorations – they are anything but. Taking less leaves out of Willy Wonka’s play book than from the portfolio of abstract architectural masters like Jim Jennings, The Sugar Lab specialises in unique designs and shapes, resulting in stark, white creations.

How Does It Work?

If you want something special for a birthday or special occasion, then you should visit The Sugar Lab’s website to get the process started. You are involved in the design at every step of the way – you tell Liz and Kyle your idea or theme, and they get it going.

They say that you can give them almost anything as inspiration, such as a cutting of lace from your wedding dress to a postcard from your favourite place. They will take it and weave its themes into the cake decoration. You will soon have your completed creation, a memorable, unique, bespoke cake.

What Does the Future Hold?

This most unusual of architect services has been going for just over two years now, but in the last six months or so, business has really picked up. The von Hasselns are saying it is finally beginning to take the form of a viable career option, something they are both very happy about.

So what is next for The Sugar Lab? Well, aside from their usual orders, they are currently working with “a well-known Hollywood bakery” to design and create a massive, four later cake, replete with 3D printed cake stand and sugar columns! Keep your eyes peeled, people.