When I arrived at the company I heard about something that immediately caught my attention: Canstruction.
Canstruction Houston took place on November 8 at the Houston Convention Center, and if you’re wondering what it’s all about, here’s the short version:
Canstruction is an annual event where architecture and engineering firms, consultants, and partners come together to design and build large-scale structures entirely out of canned food. Once the exhibition is over, all the cans are donated to local food banks. Design with a purpose, literally.
But the process is what makes it special.
It all started back in the office, where ideas began to fly. Teams brainstormed shapes, themes, and characters we wanted to build. After several discussions (and a lot of excitement), our team decided on a Dragon Ball–inspired structure: a baby dragon holding the Dragon Ball. Fun, nostalgic, and visually strong.
Once the concept was set, roles naturally formed. We had:
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A 3D model designer, who helped us understand quantities and placement of cans
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Team members in charge of ordering and logistics
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And someone to design and build the presentation board explaining the concept
That last part was on me. It took a few days of focused work, but seeing it come together , and later standing next to the final structure, was incredibly rewarding.
Then came build day.
The team and our partners arrived early in the morning, armed with snacks and beverages, fully convinced it was going to be a long day. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. With good coordination and teamwork, the structure was completed that same morning.
Walking around the exhibition was honestly inspiring. The level of effort and creativity was impressive. There were massive and detailed structures:
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A can-made Taj Mahal
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A whimsical Alice in Wonderland scene
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A huge Stitch
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A Labubu figure
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An adorable Snoopy and his house
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Even a Buc-ee’s
My personal favorite? A 1950s-style go-kart. The body was made of silver sardine cans, and the wheels were cleverly formed using bags of red beans. It was thoughtful, playful, and beautifully executed.
Each structure had its own story, and behind every one of them was a team collaborating under pressure, but with a lot more laughter.
The exhibition stayed open for a few days while the jury evaluated the entries and selected winners. But honestly, what I loved most wasn’t the competition.
It was the reason behind it all.
In Houston alone, Canstruction events collect tens of thousands of cans every year, which are then donated to fight food insecurity in the community. It’s an incredible way to bring designers and architects into a cause that goes far beyond aesthetics.
Designing to help others. Building to give back.
I truly believe initiatives like this should be replicated in more places around the world. It proves that creativity, teamwork, and social impact can coexist — and that architecture doesn’t always start with concrete and steel. Sometimes, it starts with a can.
