Designs are drafted, the foundation is leveled and all the building supplies are ready for assembly. Canstruction has finally arrived and crews will converge on the National Building Museum this Saturday, September 1st to begin building their monumental projects.
Sponsored by the Washington Architectural Foundation and the Society for Design Administration, Canstruction is an annual design competition in which regional architectural firms square off by building structures out of canned goods. Fans then vote for their favorite canstruction by donating to the team’s Razoo page. The team with the most “votes” wins the People’s Choice Award. After the event, all contributions, as well as canned goods, are given to the Capital Area Food Bank.
To say the past couple of weeks haven’t been tense would be an understatement. Firms agonized with their project teams to meet deliverable deadlines. And some even went so far as to jaw with the competition.
One of the more intriguing storylines to follow this year is the rivalry between McKissack & McKissack and MV+A. Both joined the competition this year looking to canstruct the Hoover Dam. It is difficult to suggest which team has the edge. However, rumors are swirling that one of the projects will actually generate electricity. Clearly, teams are taking nothing for granted to earn the People’s Choice Award.
It is worth making the pilgrimage to China Town this weekend to see the all the work in progress. Bring the kids. It’s fun for the whole family. And on your way out, bring a non-perishable or two or eight. Capital Area Food Bank bins will be on hand to collect donations.