It Starts with One Can
The most unique way to help your community starts with one can. On March 27, Northern Virginia Architects, Designers, Engineers, Contractors, and Students will meet at Ballston Common Mall in Arlington, VA to design and build structures made entirely of canned food. Canstruction®, a national charity committed to ending hunger, is using ‘one can’ as a catalyst for change. The AIA, Northern Virginia Chapter Canstruction® design/build competition puts a visual spotlight on hunger while showcasing the design community’s best and brightest. Sponsors, cans of food used in the structures and other donated items help make the project a success and benefits the Arlington Food Assistance Center.
The designs are open to the public for viewing from March 28 to April 4. Stop by and check out the structures, all of what are sure to be incredible! While there, bring a few cans of food to help support over 700 local families in need.
Former local structures include a frog catching flies with its tongue, toast popping out of a toaster, go carts, train on train tracks carrying loads of canned goods, airplanes, and more!
CANSTRUCTION® is a national community service project of the design and construction industry, organized by the American Institute of Architects Northern Virginia Chapter, Ballston Common Mall, and the Arlington Food Assistance Center
The AIA Northern Virginia Chapter, a professional organization representing more than 1000 Northern Virginia architects, is dedicated to advancing the knowledge of architecture among professionals and expanding the awareness and appreciation of architecture among the general public.

Wisnewski Blair & Associates, Soaring Above Hunger

Washington Group International, Rolling Along

Samaha Associates, PC, e-RACE Hunger