Getting in a ‘can’ do spirit
Groups show their creativity while celebrating Canstruction Orlando's 25th birthday.
Volunteers arrived at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Orlando Science Center, wheeling carts of food items into the building. Eleven teams, several hours and about 34,000 canned goods later, the Canstruction Orlando exhibit was complete and ready to open to the public Monday.
This year, 11 architecture, design and engineering teams used their creativity to craft sculptures honoring Canstruction Orlando’s 25th birthday, from a piñata unicorn design called “It Doesn’t Take Magic to End Hunger — Unican Do It” to a bounce house called “Jump on Board to Bounce Out Hunger!” and a quarter sculpture called “In Cans We Trust.”
“We bring architects, engineers, contractors and community groups together to do a giant canned food drive, where we build sculptures out of canned food,” said David Stone, chairperson of construction Orlando. “All of the food that’s donated gets donated in the end to Second Harvest Food Bank, so it goes back into our community and we feed the hungry.”
Stone approached the Orlando Science Center about hosting the fundraiser because he wanted a unique location that provided an educational background.
And the center jumped at the opportunity.
“The Science Center was really excited to participate in this event; it’s our first year hosting Canstruction … ” said JJ Leissing, director of visitor relations at the Orlando Science Center. “And I think it’s just a great blend of bringing real architect and engineering professionals to the Science Center for our guests to get excited and inspired by while also being able to showcase the incredible final products of the sculptures that they’ve made.”
Brie Rios, an events specialist with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, said the event hits all of the food bank’s platforms.
“It raises awareness; it serves as a fundraiser; it involves volunteers donating their time; and it’s food and fun,” she said.
Disney Voluntears from Walt Disney World Design & Engineering made a sculpture of the alien from “Toy Story.”
“As Disney’s architects and engineers, we love inspiring happiness,” said Teresa Szakos, manager of Architecture at Walt Disney World Design & Engineering. “So we’re very
excited to have all these cans being donated to Second Harvest Food Bank and inspire others to help the community.”
This year’s participants included Bentley Architects + Engineers; Cuhaci & Peterson; David Weekley Homes; HHCP/Hoar Construction/LDI/PMA; Hunton-Brady Architects; Keesee Associates; Schenkel Shultz Architecture; Scott + Cormia Architecture & Interiors; Team RLF; TLC Engineering for Architecture; and Walt Disney World Design & Engineering.
Those who want to view the exhibit are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate, though it isn’t required.
Hint: Sometimes it’s easier to see the details of each design if you take a photo.
Awards for this year’s Canstruction event will be announced Oct. 24. The public can participate in the process by voting for their favorite sculpture — which could win the People’s Choice Award — on Facebook.