High-End Custom Manufacturing Company

Gingerbread House Activation – Central City

MJY Fabrication was engaged to design, fabricate, and install a large-scale gingerbread house–inspired wall unit as part of a holiday activation within Central City Shopping Centre.

The installation was created as the backdrop for the mall’s Meet Santa experience, transforming a high-traffic retail space into a festive, immersive environment for visitors.

MJY was responsible for the full execution of the primary feature wall, including the integrated awning structure.

The Challenge

Turning a playful concept into a large-scale holiday experience

The goal was to create a visually impactful, gingerbread house–inspired backdrop that would:

Anchor the Meet Santa activation within the mall
Provide a clean, photo-ready environment for visitors and families
Capture the playful, recognizable aesthetic of a gingerbread structure at scale

Key challenges included:

Translating a stylized, graphic concept into a clean, large-scale physical build
Maintaining visual consistency across long wall spans
Designing and integrating a durable awning feature that reads clearly from a distance
Ensuring the installation could withstand continuous public interaction throughout the holiday season

Client:

Blackwood Property Management

Location:

Central City Shopping Centre, Surrey, BC

Timeline:

2025

Cost:

$29,500

Scope:

Design-Build-Install

The Approach

Bold, minimal design built to perform at scale

MJY Fabrication approached the project with a focus on clarity, durability, and visual impact.

Key considerations included:

Simplifying the gingerbread aesthetic into bold, readable shapes and linework
Designing modular wall sections for efficient fabrication, transport, and installation
Integrating the awning as a structural and visual focal point for the activation area
Selecting materials and finishes that would deliver a clean, consistent appearance without relying on painted graphics

The design was intentionally graphic and minimal, ensuring the installation read clearly in photos and remained visually strong within a busy mall environment.

The Build

Precision-built for seamless execution and lasting impact

The wall unit and awning were fabricated in-house at MJY’s Vancouver shop and installed on site at Central City Shopping Centre.

Key build features included:

Large-scale modular wall system, designed for clean seams and efficient installation
Integrated awning structure, creating depth and a recognizable storefront-like element for the activation
Precision-applied graphic detailing, achieving the gingerbread and icing effect through material application rather than paint
Durable finished surfaces, built to withstand repeated use and high foot traffic

Particular attention was given to alignment and finish quality, ensuring the graphic elements remained crisp and consistent across the full span of the installation.

Key Takeaways

Purpose-built backdrops significantly enhance the quality and consistency of branded photo experiences
Simplified, graphic design elements translate effectively at scale and in photography
Material-driven detailing can achieve clean, durable finishes

Gingerbread House Activation – Central City