14th Annual CANstruction Competition

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


Trojan Horse by Arup


Tango Dancer by Thornton Tomasetti


Rabbit in Hat by Robert Silman Associates


Campfire by Leslie E. Robertson Associates


Lion by Perkins + Will


Candy Apple with Bite Taken by Pei Cobb Freed


Dragon by Robert A.M. Stern


Sushi with Chopsticks by DeSimone Consulting


Empty Can by Helpurn Architects


Frog by diDomenico + Partners


Can as Skyline by Fradkin & McAlpin Assoc.


Sea Serpent by HOK Architects


Piggy Bank by R.M. Kliment & Frances Halsband


Typewriter by Coburn Architecture


Apple with Sliced Wedge by Handel Architects


Crocodile by Arquitectonica


Lady Bug by Ferguson & Samamian


Hand Cradling Can by Ted Moudis


Monopoly by Mancini Duffy


Lion & Lamb by Butler Rogers Baskett


Connect Four Game by Magnusson Architecture


Snail on Leaf by GACE PLLC


Whale Tail by Weidlinger Associates


Can with Electric Can Opener by Bovis Lend Lease


Sombrero by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill


Frog by STV


Cornucopia by Earth Tech


Ant at a Picnic by Severud Associates


Dripping Faucet by Gensler


Earth Viewed from the Moon by Beyer Blinder Belle


Lady Bug by Urbitran Group


Leaning Tower of Pisa & Italian Flag by Dattner Architects


Bobsled on Track by Gilsanz Murray Steficek


Can with Can Opener by Conant Architects


Sushi Platter by NELSON


Dragon & Castle by Perkins Eastman


Grand Piano by ads Engineers


Remains of Mobius Strip by Platt Byard Dovell White

Canstruction

Society for Design Administration New York Chapter

SDANYC Canstruction 2006

NYC Canstruction Rules

Images From Past Canstruction Competitions

Food Bank For New York City