Fourteen years ago the Society of Design Administration created CANstruction, a philanthropic competition for architects, designers and engineers. The challenge is deceptively simple: these creative professionals must transform cans of food into sculptures and constructions.
The nutritious entries were assembled on site at the New York Design Center, a building devoted to interior designers and furniture showrooms. From November 9 through 22, the exhibit was open to the public during normal business hours; the entry fee was a single can of food.
At the end of the exhibition, the structures were disassembled; this year, one piece, a Mobius strip, collapsed during the competition. The packages of food (generally about 100,000 cans) are donated to the Food Bank for New York City, which distributes it to feed New York’s hungry.
Space Shuttle by National Reprographics
Subway Car Interior by Guy Nordenson
Tango Dancer by Thornton Tomasetti
Rabbit in Hat by Robert Silman Associates
Campfire by Leslie E. Robertson Associates
Candy Apple with Bite Taken by Pei Cobb Freed
Sushi with Chopsticks by DeSimone Consulting
Empty Can by Helpurn Architects
Can as Skyline by Fradkin & McAlpin Assoc.
Piggy Bank by R.M. Kliment & Frances Halsband
Typewriter by Coburn Architecture
Apple with Sliced Wedge by Handel Architects
Lady Bug by Ferguson & Samamian
Hand Cradling Can by Ted Moudis
Lion & Lamb by Butler Rogers Baskett
Connect Four Game by Magnusson Architecture
Whale Tail by Weidlinger Associates
Can with Electric Can Opener by Bovis Lend Lease
Sombrero by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Ant at a Picnic by Severud Associates
Earth Viewed from the Moon by Beyer Blinder Belle
Leaning Tower of Pisa & Italian Flag by Dattner Architects
Bobsled on Track by Gilsanz Murray Steficek
Can with Can Opener by Conant Architects
Dragon & Castle by Perkins Eastman
Remains of Mobius Strip by Platt Byard Dovell White