About Us

Canstruction® combines the competitive spirit of a design/build competition with a unique way to help feed hungry people. Competing teams showcase their talents by designing giant sculptures made entirely out of canned foods. At the close of the exhibitions, all of the food used in the structures is donated to local food banks.

Started in 1993 by Cheri Melillo, Canstruction® has grown from a New York-based competition for the Society of Design Administration and the American Institute of Architects, to a North America wide competition involving the entire design and construction industry. Every local winner goes on to compete, via photography, at the American Institute of Architects/ Society of Design Administration National Convention in the United States. Official award categories include: Best Use of Labels, Juror's Pick, Best Meal, and Structural Integrity.

Canstruction® are giants works of sculptural art. Like works of art, they have tremendous visceral impact on the viewer. They arrest the viewer's attention, get them to focus on the issue of hunger, and evoke a personal response to those in need. Canstruction® draws the media. Hunger is not a hot news item. Canstruction draws the media to the issue of hunger through its artistic visual medium of communication. Canstruction® creates opportunities for the entire engineering, design and construction industry to become involved in a pressing social issue that their profession would not othewise link them to.