CANstruction

CANstruction is a Washington, D.C., edition of a nationwide hunger-awareness and fundraising program. Organized by the Washington Architectural Foundation, the event is a creative design-build competition in which teams from local architecture and design firms construct sculptures from donated canned food. The finished CANstructures are displayed in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall and are inspired this year by historic U.S. monuments and landmarks.

After the exhibition, the shelf-stable food used in the structures will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank for distribution to people in need. Visitors can also take part in hands-on activities focused on can construction, creative design, and food security.

When: November 22–30

Venue: National Building Museum, Great Hall

Theme: Historic U.S. Monuments & Landmarks

Sunday, November 22, 12–4 p.m.: Build Day. Watch participating teams assemble their CANstructures in the Great Hall.

November 23–29, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.: CANstruction Display. View the completed sculptures during the exhibition.

Monday, November 30, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.: DeCANstruction. Teams dismantle their structures after the display concludes.

Drop-In Activities: Activities are offered Sunday, November 22, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Monday, November 23, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; and Sunday, November 29, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Participants can experiment with building using real cans, create a CANstructure stamp collage, and share their thoughts about the importance of food security on a community board.

Food Donation: Visitors may bring a canned good to vote for their favorite CANstructure.

Beneficiary: The Capital Area Food Bank receives the donated canned food for distribution to people in need.

Organizer: Washington Architectural Foundation

Tickets: Price not available