2017 Canstruction Canned-Food Design Competition Returns to Brookfield Place

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The annual Canstruction design competition brings one of the city’s most unique food charities to Brookfield Place. Presented by Arts Brookfield, the gravity-defying competition returns for its 25th year brining together 26 teams to construct large-scale creations out of unopened cans which in the end will be disassembled and donated to City Harvest.

Founded in 1992 by the Society for Design Administration New York Chapter, it has in its 10th year at Brookfield Place brought 250 structures made out of 936,558 cans (that’s 752,617 lbs), designed by New York’s top architects, engineers, and students. It’s truly a sight to behold as the city’s largest annual donation of canned food from a single event to City Harvest.

Submissions are planned months in advance, culminating into a one overnight build. “For 25 years, Canstruction New York has been the most extraordinary design competition for architects, engineers and contractors that not only raises awareness about hunger but also provides a solution with thousands of cans of food donated to City Harvest.” said Katie Devlin, AIA, President of Canstruction New York Inc. in a press release. “The exhibition has to be seen in person to fully comprehend the artistry of each sculpture.”

The competition is in full swing at Brookfield Place having started yesterday. Through Wednesday, November 15th, all designs will be on view and await your vote for a chance to win the People’s Choice Award. The event is free to attend, but in the spirit of Thanksgiving, visitors are encouraged to donate non-perishable cans of food at the 2nd level of 230 Vesey Street.

Other awards up for grabs include Best Original Design, Structural Integrity, Best Meal, Most Cans, People’s Choice, Cheri C. Melillo Award, and two for Honorable Mention. Take a look below at some more photos from the event’s opening day.