Architectural Firm to Defend its Title in CANstruction Event

Skanska USA Building will be participating in next week’s New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) CANstruction event, an annual design exhibition that benefits community food programs.

The event gives architects the opportunity to display their talents while also serving as a benefit for the hungry. Teams of architects, engineers and students mentored by AIA-NJ professionals compete to design and build giant structures made entirely from full cans of food.

The structures will be built during an eight-hour “Build Day” on Thursday, Nov. 17 and will be on display throughout the Livingston Mall. This year’s theme is “World Famous.”

Following the exhibitions, the immense 10- by 10- by 8-foot high structures are dismantled and all of the canned food is donated to charity. The structures take 8-12 weeks and thousands of cans of food to create.

Last year, Skanska USA Building was awarded “Best Meal” for its “Bouncing CANS to Hungry Hands” structure, which used 4,660 cans of food.

Last year's event raised more than 40,000 pounds of food and $1,700 in cash donations. In New Jersey, the food is donated to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey for distribution to community food programs.
   
The design competition is under the direction of the Society for Design Administration, an affiliate of the national AIA. This is the 13th year for the competition. Last year's competition was held at the Prudential Center in Newark in conjunction the New Jersey Devils' "Hockey Fights Hunger" initiative.