All Photos By Gail
During my first decade living in New York City, I worked in a boutique architectural office that carried forward the legacy of the late, great Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer. After leaving that firm, I spent another ten years in the contract furnishings industry — an experience that sparked my passion for furniture and interior space design. Together, those years shaped a deep appreciation for architecture and interior design that ultimately inspired the creative direction of this website.
Many of the firms I collaborated with during that period are still thriving today, and quite a few now participate in one of my favorite annual events: the CANstruction Competition. If you’re unfamiliar with it, here’s a quick primer.
CANstruction is an annual design and construction challenge in which teams build large-scale sculptures using canned food as their primary material. The event raises awareness about food insecurity while collecting thousands of non-perishable items for local food banks, including City Harvest. Participating teams range from architectural and engineering firms to design professionals and students. At the end of the exhibit period, the structures are dismantled and all of the food is donated to charities that provide food assistance to hungry New Yorkers across the five boroughs. It’s fun way to give back!
These events are held in cities around the world, but I always make a point to attend the NYC CANstruction showcase, staged inside Brookfield Place — a luxury retail complex near the southern tip of Manhattan. This year’s exhibit ran from October 30th through November 10th, so it was easy to miss if it wasn’t already on your radar. If you weren’t able to make it over there this time, please enjoy a selection of my favorite designs from CANstruction 2025!
Title: To Bean or Not To Bean (Two Sided Structure, See Below)
Created By: Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger
Statement: This sculpture of the iconic comedy and tragedy masks symbolizes the duality of joy and struggle – both on stage and in life. Using thousands of cans, this Broadway buffet will be more than just a showstopper; it will become a standing ovation for compassion.
Made From: Tuna, Ham, Spam
Number of Cans: 3,456
Awards: Honorable Mention
Title: SuperCAN
Created By: Buro Happold + Cannon Design
Statement: A timeless symbol of strength, hope, and heroism, SuperCAN brings the legendary Superman logo to life in bold 3-D form. Constructed from nearly 2000 cans, SuperCAN is more than a structure – it’s a symbol of resilience, nourishment, and the power of community. In the fight against hunger, everyone can be a hero.
Made From: Beans
Number of Cans: 1,968
Title: TRYceraSTOPS Hunger
Created By: DeSimone Consulting Engineering
Statement: Our Cretaceous creation is here to stomp out hunger. With its three mighty horns, this prehistoric powerhouse reminds us that it takes more than one point to fight food insecurity – it takes community, creativity, and compassion. Built entirely from cans, our tri-umphant Triceratops proves that when we come together, we can make hunger and food insecurity go the way of, well, the dinosaurs.
Made From: Tuna, Beans
Number of Cans: 5,316
Awards: Structural Ingenuity
Title: Outshine Hunger
Created By: LERA Consulting Structural Engineers
Statement: In New York night, shining stars gleam, guiding Hope forward, igniting a dream. Each light a promise that no hunger shall remain, a city united, breaking hunger’s chains.
Made From: Sardines
Number of Cans: 6,000
Title: AbraCANdabra
Created By: HOK
Statement: The magic of pulling a bunny from a hat lies in the surprise, the possibility, and the wonder of making something appear from nothing. But when the hat is empty, the magic disappears, leaving only disappointment.
Made From: Tuna
Number of Cans: 3,000
Title: TUNAverse
Created By: CetraRuddy
Statement: The structure, inspired by the Golden Ratio Lily Impeller Flower and echoing the spirals of fusilli pasta, symbolizes the balance, beauty, and nourishment that should be accessible to all.
Made From: Tuna
Number of Cans: 2,592
Title: Kick Back Against Hunger
Created By: McNamara Salvia Structural Engineers & Meyers + Engineers
Statement: The United States will have the privilege of hosting the global community for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with New York/New Jersey setto host the final match. Just as we come together for the world‘s most popular sport, we must come together as a team to kick back against hunger.
Made From: Tuna, Green Beans, Corn, Mixed Vegetables, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Carrots
Number of Cans: 4,630
Title: Hooked on Helping
Created By: Design Park / West Collection / Factioned, Inc,
Statement: We are Hooked on Helping to end food in security in our communities and across the nation, is 38 million people – including 12 million children – in the United States face hunger every day
Made From: Beans Tuna
Number of Cans: 10,764
Title: Mission: Ohana Launch
Created By: Urbahn Architects PLLC & Forte Construction Corporation
Statement: Food is our fuel. This mission point exploration back home, sending food to those in need. Guided by Ohana – Hawaiian for family – Stitch teaches that family is not just who you’re born to, until you feed, protect, and stand behind.
Made From: Tuna, Salmon, Rice, Corn, Sweet Peas, Green Beans, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Cream of Celery Soup.
Number of Cans: 4,800
Awards: People’s Choice Award
Title: Every Step CAN Help
Created By: Perkins Eastman
Statement: The iconic red glass, TKTS steps, in the heart of Times Square, turn the city itself into a stage while serving as a symbol for accessibility. The theater development funds ticket booth beneath the steps, fulfills the vital mission, transforming otherwise unused Broadway seats into affordable experiences. We believe no community should be left on the back shelf design CAN help us preserve access,, open up opportunities and stock the shelves of equity. Because in the end, every step, like every can, will make a difference.
Made From: Pasta, Tomato Sauce, Cereal, Soda Cans
Number of Cans: 805
Detail View
Title: ChickCAN Jockey
Created By: Severud Associates
Statement: A new challenger has entered the arena, but this time Chicken Jockey isn’t wrestling Jason Momoa, he’s taking down hunger! Cute? Maybe. Fierce? Absolutely. This dynamic duo delivers a knockout punch where every can is more than just a pixel come to life, it’s a meal, a Lifeline, and one level-up closer to defeating food insecurity.
Made From: Chicken, Tuna, Fish, Sockeye Salmon
Number of Cans: 1,752
Awards: Honorable Mention
Title: CAN Central Station
Created By: Mancini: Duffy
Statement: By constructing a replica of a classic New York City Subway Entrance out of cans, we aim to highlight the city’s unique blend of urban culture, history, and design, while highlighting the vitalness of food for every New Yorker using an icon that every New Yorker can relate to.
Made From: Clam Chowder, Tuna, Sardines, Snack Mix, Tomato Paste, Soups, Lentils, Corn, Beans
Number of Cans: 2,055
Awards: Best Use of Labels
Title: The Rat Pack (aka Pizza Rat)
Created By: Jaros, Baum & and Bolles / AECOM Tishman / VIAtechnik
Statement: Our structure reimagines a viral moment that captured hearts worldwide – a small creature, hauling a pizza slice bigger than itself, reminding us that perseverance can be both humble and heroic. Formed entirely from cans in tones of tomato red, golden crust, and creamy mozzarella white, it transforms a digital symbol of determination into an expression of effort, balance, and will – the quite courage to carry something far larger Than oneself. Each can, from black beans and tomato sauce, to peaches and salmon, was chosen for both its nourishment, and its warmth, turning design into an act of endurance and care.
Made From: Black Beans, Cannellini Beans, Kidney Beans, Chickpeas, Sweet, Peas, Carrots, Green Beans, Beets, Corn, Salmon, Whole Peeled Tomatoes, Soups.
Number of Cans: 2,049
Title: Canbubu
Created By: Thornton Tomasetti
Statement: In the spirit of fun, will keep things like, Canbubu is here with a dream so bright. Pointy ears, beaming, eyes, and a hopeful grin, built with the deep sense of giving within.
But beyond the fun, the challenge is clear, hunger, still stocks, both far and near. Our goal is simple – to join the fight, feeding the city, can buy can day and night.
Made From: Tuna
Number of Cans: 1,872
Title: Small Beings, Big Impacts
Created By: NV5
Statement: I am a can of sardines. The pantry staple for centuries: sailors salted me in barrels, families carried me across borders in cans. I was the food of workers and wanderers, small but abundant. Coming from schools of the sea, now residing in your pantry in buildings packed like my tin. Humans have turned to sardines for sustenance, now they must learn from my school: silver cans of sardines and silver subway cars bursting at the seams. In the city that never sleeps, working in unison. May no one‘s hunger remain unseen. Even the smallest can, can tip the scales against hunger.
Made From: Tuna, Beans, Pears, Chicken
Number of Cans: 3,524
Title: Five Alarm Fight Against Hunger
Created By: Gensler
Statement:
The siren sounds, let’s take a stand, join the crew, come lend a hand.
Flames of hunger we’ll eliminate, as we help fill our neighbor’s plate.
From burrough to burrough, far and near, New York fights hunger, loud and clear
Made From: Mackerel, Tuna, Chicken, Plant-based Chili with Beans, Brown Rice, Chickpeas, Cannellini Beans, Black Beans, Carrots, Split Peas, Sweet Peas, Diced Tomatoes, Hearts of Palm, Jalapeño Peppers, Oranges, Sweetened Condensed Milk
Number of Cans: 7,200
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!