CANstruction: Local architects show their
construction skills at a charity event

Mar 4, 2010

Chelsea Deptula, VOX Magazine

The loud echo of clear adhesive tape drowns out the laughter of two tiny girls playing with cans of tuna on the floor. The two giggle and show off their stacks of canned fish for the reporters and their cameras. Their uncontrollable laughter mixes with the constant tearing of tape.

The girls are cute and all, but the real fun is happening behind them. Scoop, the adorable yellow bulldozer known for his role in Bob the Builder, grins widely. His body is made from cans upon cans of refried beans strategically stacked and taped firmly together, and his wheels are made from cans of tuna. Two large Styrofoam bowls have been colored and taped to his front, creating Scoop’s signature bugged-out eyes.

For the past month, the team members of Simon Oswald Architecture have been making plans and collecting canned food in preparation for Scoop’s creation. The cans, which the group donated, will be given to those suffering from hunger.

On Feb. 27 in Jefferson City, Mid-Missouri’s Society for Design Administration sponsored the community service event called CANstruction, which includes a competition among teams of architects and engineers who design and build structures entirely out of canned and packaged products to raise awareness for world hunger.

“I think everybody knows somebody who is in need,” says Aaron Sanderson, team leader of the Simon Oswald Architecture group. “We’re making the big picture come together in small ways.”

CANstruction is in its 12th year in mid-Missouri. Donations, which included 9,780 cans this year, benefit the Central Missouri Food Bank. “This is one of my favorite events every year,” Executive Director of the Central Missouri Food Bank Peggy Kirkpatrick told the CANstruction teams. “We’re blessed to be in your partnership, and we are blessed to be your hands to get that food to those who need it.”

After the structures are built, trophies are awarded based on Best Label Use, Juror’s Favorite, Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Structural Integrity and an honorable mention. Every team that participated won an award and will be advancing on to the international competition.

A representative from the global CANstruction organization takes pictures of the local winners and sends them for judging in the international competition. Supporters can vote for the People’s Choice Award at the display site with can donations through March 4.

This year the groups produced five pieces, which were inspired by the local CANstruction theme, Tools of the Trade. Creations included a Bobcat, wheelbarrow, hammer and nails and firefighter’s hat.

“It’s kind of silly seeing grown-ups play with food,” Trabue says. “But it’s fun. It’s a food fight everyone wins.”

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