Winning Designs

Using a standardized set of rules and regulations, teams use their creativity, design and construction expertise, and collaboration skills to compete against each other for a handful of awards. The results are awe-inspiring and entertaining structures that help raise awareness about the issue of hunger. The albums below highlight some of the many award-winning structures that participating firms have designed and built, sorted by award category or topic to highlight how the competition has become more complex over the past 25 years.

Designing an awe-inspiring sculpture that doesn’t fall down requires significant attention to the structural design. Award winners in this category include structures that involve a high level of complexity, and appear gravity defying but are stable. Judges reward structures where the majority of support appears to be other cans, as opposed to (permissible) boards, rods, and pipes.

Credits (top to bottom; left to right): 2014: We All Live in a CANary Yellow Submarine by Sasaki Associates (5,773 cans), 2019: Can Airlines "You CAN get there from here" by Ann Beha Architects + Thornton Tomasetti (5,050 cans), 2018: Godzilla by Ann Beha Architects + Thornton Tomasetti (7,004 cans), 2007: Tricycle by Einhorn Yaffee Prescott, 2016: Roswell - A Historic CANSpiracy by Ann Beha Architects (2,240 cans), 2004: Where CAN DunCAN Hide by SMMA, 2009: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by TRO Jung|Brannen, 2012: View the End of Hunger by Tappe Associates (1,380 cans), 2006: Spider in its Web by SMMA, 2005: View Finder by Margulies & Associates, 2015: Feed Tamagotchi by BR+A (5,540 cans), 2013: Every Can is a Winner in the Fight Against Hunger by Tappe Associates

The colors and patterns on can labels make a huge impact on the overall appearance of a sculpture. When looking at the structures, judges also consider whether labels are turned the correct way throughout the structure, and assess whether thought was put into the appearance of leveling material and materials used to connect cans.

Credits (top to bottom; left to right): 2019: Where in the World is Carmen CANdiego? by Wilson Butler (2,617 cans), 2017: Gnome'ore Hunger by Steffian Bradley Architects + Mannington Commercial (3,388 cans), 2018: The Incredibles by Arrowstreet (5,910 cans), 2014: Le Canbusier: Canbu Take a Selfie by HMFH (3,870 cans), 2006: Can-o-lantern by Margulies Perruzzi Architects, 2016: To CANfinity and Beyond by SGH (3,985 cans), 2015: The Mask by Gensler (2,832 cans), 2010: Garfield by PCA, 2007: Snoopy Lunch Box by KlingStubbins, 2013: Iron Can by Newforma, 2009: The Art of Love by AECOM, 2005: Jaws by Arrowstreet, 2011: Canley Cup Champions by CUBE 3, 2003: Two Cans by Winter Street Architects and Structures North

Creating a lasting impression is rewarded in this category (which used to be called Juror’s Favorite), where judges look for a structure that is beautiful and awe inspiring, and shows creativity in its use of cans, imagery, theme, and style. In some respects, this award is given to the “best in show” sculpture, as judges consider all elements of design for this award, including structural ingenuity and use of labels.

Credits (top to bottom; left to right): 2019: CAN-SAT-U8 by PCA (4,884 cans), 2014: Boston Rocks Hunbger by Lavallee Brensinger Architects (2,640 cans), 2011: Quick Response to Hunger by Nitsch Engineering (1,900 cans), 2018: Queen of Hearts by Gensler + ARUP (6,270 cans), 2017: Nessie - You're Unbelievable! by Gensler + ARUP (4,500 cans), 2012: Hunger Bumpers by EYP (3,369 cans), 2015: Tie-Dye Beanie Baby by Goody Clancy (2,905 cans), 2019: Where in the World is Carmen CANdiego? by Wilson Butler (2,617 cans), 2018: The Incredibles by Arrowstreet (5,910 cans), 2013: Help Cast Away Hunger by BR+A, 2019: Worldwide OpporTUNAty by SMMA + DC Beane (9386 cans), 2009: Eat the Artifact by SGH, 2013: Iron Can by Newforma, 2008: Ghostbusters by TRO Jung|Brannen, 2005: Jaws by Arrowstreet, 2010: Penniless Clown by TRO Jung|Brannen, 2016: The Canservatory by Adams + Beasley Custom Builders (3,337 cans), 2007: Winnie the Pooh by TRO Jung|Brannen, 2003: Two Cans by Winter Street Architects and Structures North

Every vote counts! The People’s Choice Award winner is selected based on the number of “likes” the sculpture receives in Canstruction Boston’s official Facebook album during the voting time period. This award rewards a team that executed a great idea.

Credits (top to bottom; left to right): 2019: Air Ship by Cummings Properties (3,576 cans), 2009: Andy Warhol's The Velvet Underground by Architectural Resources Cambridge, 2015: Calvin & Hobbes by Lavallee Brensinger Architects (3,171 cans), 2018: Queen of Hearts by Gensler + ARUP (6,270 cans), 2004: ACME Lunch Box by Architectural Resources Cambridge, 2017: Gnome'ore Hunger by Steffian Bradley Architects + Mannington Commercial (3,388 cans), 2012: It's Sweet Peas! by Payette (1,056 cans), 2007: Dump Truck by SMMA, 2005: Cat in the Hat by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson Abbott, 2008: FranCANstein by Nitsch Engineering (1,908 cans), 2016: Toy Story Alien by Stantec (3,631 cans), 2006: Apple with a Worm by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson Abbott, 2011: Got Milk? by Margulies Perruzzi Architects, 2010: Mr. Potato Head by SGH

Canstruction has been in Boston for 25 years, and in that time we’ve seen quite a few structures that pay tribute to our amazing city. Some of the structures highlighted here were award winners, but they all hold a special place in our heart.