Stakes are high. Reputations are on the line. Egos are shattered as are foam core boards. It’s Canstruction in DC.
Canstruction is an annual design and build competition at the Building Museum starting August 31 and ending September 7 where teams assemble structures, otherwise known as Cansculptures, out of non-perishables and put them on display for the public to see. At the close of the competition all of the Cansculptures are dismantled, and the food used in the structures is donated to the Capital Area Food Bank for distribution to partners who assist in feeding people at risk of hunger.
It was just a few weeks ago, architects from 22 firms traded barbs at a Canstruction orientation in the Building Museum. There teams engaged in jawing bouts and sized each other up in hopes of finding weaknesses to exploit. Civility only returned once Darrel Rippeteau, Rippeteau Architects, owner and meeting facilitator, stepped in to restore order and lay out Canstruction terms.
Flash forward to today and teams are in the design trenches creating CAD drawings and 3d models of their Cansculptures. With less than three week to go, teams must diligently plan up to the build date by lining up their building materials and mitigating risks for a shot at taking home one of the six awards, including the highly coveted People’s Choice Award.
Even then, teams aren’t assured a prize. The competition is fierce, and there is no question that last year’s People’s Choice Award Winner LEO A DALY is looking to repeat. As recently as June, LEO A DALY took 4 of 7 awards in Palm Beach County’s Canstruction. It comes to this year’s build with great confidence and an impressive track record.
However, Michael Baker Jr. Inc; Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners; Greenman-Perdersen, Inc; R2L; among others are looking to knock LEO A DALY off its pedestal. Not a single can has been elevated, yet, through their respective fundraisers they have already amassed $600! That money will aid CAFB in providing its partners with over 1,400 meals.
So, it’s certainly on. And the public will soon have a say in crowning a champ. Come September 7, the public has two methods to vote for the best Cansculpture.
Building Museum visitors may vote for their favorite Cansculpture by donating non-perishables in a bin placed in front of each structure (1 can = 1 vote).
CAN’t make it to DC to revel in Canstruction glory? No problem, people CAN already make monetary donations via the team’s online fundraiser ($1 = 1 vote).
Voting aside, stay tuned here for all Canstruction updates and other Hunger Action Month activities. And keep us abreast of your Canstruction news by Tweeting us at @foodbankmetrodc with the hashtag #Canstruction.