LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Can-by-can, Lexington’s top architects and engineers are fighting hunger.
The designs are a departure from their typical work.
“Picking out the right cans are crucial for our structure,” said builder Jonathan Ruiz.
It’s all part of Canstruction, a worldwide charity art competition featuring structures made entirely out of canned food.
“They have to be non-dented, they have to be new, they can’t change the labels,” said Misty Simms of God’s Pantry Food Bank.
In the end, those cans are donated to God’s Pantry.
These are no amateur structures.
“We actually modeled it in 3D, our project, and then made templates,” said Shelby Ewing with Gray Construction.
The art pieces rook months of planning and after-hours work. Whether it was a giant Rubik’s Cube or a basketball, the art pieces challenged the designers in unexpected ways.
Last year, the competition yielded 23,000 pounds of food. At least 15,000 cans will be collected from this year’s projects alone.
“I think it’s really important that you know we can give back and give back to the community in such a fun way,” said Erin Stoffer with Integrity Architecture.
The Canstructions are on display at Lexington Center for the public until December 3. The local winners will advance to the international competition next year in Las Vegas.
