With weeks of planning and assembling the final entry of over 3000 cans in just 6 hours, the team of Alamo Architects and Turner Construction were awarded the coveted Juror’s Favorite at the 11th annual CANstruction Design/Build competition – sponsored by the San Antonio chapter of the American Institute of Architects and part of an international drive by the Society for Design Administration to expand public awareness of the hunger crisis worldwide.

The judges said of our entry, “I think we were all just impressed with the simplicity, but also the complexity of color and texture,” Cooper said of the team’s design. “Also the surprise of the heart on the back side of the CANstruction moved us. It was all of those elements together that made it our choice.”

All canned goods used to create the whimsical exhibits are donated to the San Antonio Food Bank at the close of the exhibition. Our winner — the koi — will be broken down and reassembled at the food bank, where it will remain on display for a year.

PesCANtarian, The Empty Side of Hunger”

Through the ages Fishes have played a variety of roles in culture as religious symbols, subjects of art, and even starring in movie roles. Fish are also a vital source of food for people that provide high quality protein, vitamins and minerals.  Our Koi Fish, “PesCANtarian”, displays color, pattern, scalation, and long flowing fins but there is also a void in him.  In Japanese the word Koi means “carp” but it also means “affection” or “LOVE”.  PesCANtarian’s symbol of food and love will bring awareness to our community of a VOID that needs to be filled.  Hunger is emptiness.  Hunger hurts everyone, especially children, senior citizens and the poor.  Let’s help PesCANtarian fill his void with donated cans and together we can complete him and help those in need.