October 1, 2021 (HOUSTON) – Canstruction Houston, Inc. announces the 2021 Canstruction® event, benefiting the Houston Food Bank, and hosted by the Understory of Downtown Houston. Saturday, November 6, will be the official build date for this unique art exhibition. Houston’s top architects, engineers, designers, contractors, and students across the Greater Houston area will be submitting their designs to showcase their talents and creativity. These sculptures, constructed entirely of unopened canned food, will be on display for the public to enjoy.
Our Official Building Event will take place November 6 through November 14.
Designs will range from replicas of iconic Houston landmarks to popular locations around the globe to favorite characters in pop culture and will be on display. Visitors are encouraged to donate to the project through the event website or by dropping off non-perishable cans of food to The Understory at Bank of America Tower in Downtown Houston. All submissions will also be featured online and through social media channels for public viewing and voting of Public Favorite.
“We are extremely excited to gather in-person this year to mark our 25th anniversary of Canstruction® in Houston,” said Carla Curtis-Galyean, Vice President of Canstruction Houston, Inc. “Our annual event will unite us as a community to demonstrate that ONE CAN make a difference, ONE CAN at a time.”
Demand for food assistance increased dramatically right from the start of lockdown orders in March 2020. As a result, Houston Food Bank’s daily distribution doubled from the previous year, to 800,000 pounds per day and going as high as 1 million pounds per day. In June 2021 alone, the Houston Food Bank distributed an astounding 15,261,904 pounds of food, an increase of 50% of output from June 2019.
Through the generosity of volunteers, and members of the community, Canstruction® has contributed millions of pounds of food to community food banks—demonstrating that we can win the fight against hunger.
WHEN: Build Day: Saturday, November 6
(All structures will also be viewable virtually through Social Media: @understoryhtx @canstructionhouston, on the Understory & Canstruction Houston website, and will be on display in the Understory until November 13, 2021.)
AWARDS: Winners will be publicly announced on November 15
WHERE: The Understory – Located in the Tunnel Level of Bank of America Tower in Downtown Houston (800 Capitol Street). Parking available onsite. Viewable online at canstruction- houston.com.
For more information on how to become a sponsor and register for a team, please visit the Canstruction Houston website at canstruction-houston.com
About Canstruction®
Canstruction, Inc. is a national charity of the design and construction industry created by the Society for Design Administration. For millions, each day begins and ends with the anguish of hunger. Canstruction®, a charity sponsored by the design and construction industry, is determined to end this suffering.
Canstruction Houston, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization, which benefits the Houston Food Bank.
About the Understory
The Understory is downtown Houston’s destination for crafted amenities and experiences. Named for the lively space between the forest canopy and underbrush, Understory is a vibrant, centralized station where Houstonians visit for culture, commerce, and cuisine. This expansive 40-foot atrium space, filled with natural light and an abundance of community gathering spaces, truly connects the street level with the tunnels. Understory sits at the base of Bank of America Tower at 800 Capitol Street.
2019 WINNERS
- Best Use of Most Needed Items & Most Cans | “Be Someone” | Hoar Construction
- Best Meal and Jurors’ Favorite High School | “Preparing Students for Tomorrow” | Alief High School and Ziegler Cooper Architects (Mentor)
- People’s Choice | “What a Canstruction” | PhiloWilke Partnership and Vaughan Construction
- Best Use of Labels (National) | “Flight to the Moon” | Ziegler Cooper Architects and Whiting-Turner
- Best Sign | “What a Canstruction” | PhiloWilke Partnership and Vaughan Construction
- Honorable Mention (High School) | “Texas Cheer” | Heights Venture
- Structural Ingenuity | “The Lion King” | Cobb Fendley and Associates
- Jurors’ Favorite Professional Team | “Candy Skull” | HOK, DPR Construction, and Griesenbeck