What is CANstruction?

CANstruction is an international competition where teams build sculptures out of canned food. All the food is then donated to the local food bank. Architecture and design firms comprise the teams that create and build the structures. 

This is the 22nd annual competition held in DC. Over the years, the competition has donated
450 tons of food to the Capital Area Food Bank. That’s the same weight as about five-and-a-half Space Shuttles!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can’t build the structures in person as we have in previous years, but that hasn’t stopped our teams from working hard to design and fundraise for their creations! This year’s theme was Children’s Books. Explore the virtual exhibition by clicking on a title to the right!

How you can join the effort

Vote for your favorite design by donating to the Capital Area Food Bank here! One dollar equals one vote. We’ll announce the voters’ favorite on February 1. 

Stats

This year, the teams have raised funds for 18,610 cans. That’s 22,000 meals! 

Organized by

Teams

Rainbow Fish
by Marcus Pfister
︎ Best Use of Labels
AGC of DC - YCF
800 cans

Paddington Bear
by Michael Bond
Cosentino
# of cans

The Little Engine That Could
by Watty Piper
︎ Best University Design
EYP
1,828 cans

Oh the Places You’ll Go!
by Dr. Seuss
︎ Best Virtual Presentation
Gilbane
1,896 cans

Little Blue Truck
by Alice Schertle
︎ Best Use of Labels
Hartman-Cox Architects
968 cans

Where’s Waldo?
by Martin Handford
Harvey Cleary Builders
636 cans

The Lorax
by Dr. Seuss
︎ Best Meal
HYL Architecture and Davis Construction
2,800 cans

Charlotte’s Web
by E. B. White
︎ Best Original Design and People’s Choice Award
John Moriarty & Associates of Virginia, LLC
2,496 cans

Winnie the Pooh
by A. A. Milne
Markon Solutions
2,100 cans

Captain America
by Ed Brubaker
Michael Baker International
1,350 cans

The Magic School Bus
by Joanna Cole
MV+A
2,508 cans

Harry Potter
by J.K. Rowling
︎ Best Use of a Classical Form
Silman
2,160 cans

The Very Hungry Caterpiller
by Eric Carle
︎ Most Cans
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
3,458 cans

The Cat in the Hat
by Dr. Seuss
︎Best Use of Humor
TEEL Construction
1,140 cans

The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Beyer Blinder Belle, and Gordon DC
2,404 cans