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CSArch Showcases a "New York State of Mind" for CANstruction

4.21.2023

Following a two-year hiatus, Capital Region CANstruction welcomed back teams for its first Build Day since March 2020. Located at Crossgates Mall, the new home of the annual competition and exhibit between AEC firms in the Capital Region, this year’s theme asked teams to design a CANstructure showcasing what it means to have a “New York State of Mind.”

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Since its inception in the Capital Region in 2011, CANstruction has invited talented architects, engineers, contractors, and students to design and create colossal structures made entirely out of non-perishable food items. At the close of the exhibit, all food and funds raised are donated to the Food Pantries for the Capital District. Over the years, Capital Region CANstruction has donated over 450,000 pounds of food and nearly $150,000 to help address hunger and feed families in our community.

This year’s New York State of Mind theme inspired CSArch to recreate the Statue of Liberty’s torch. Planning began in November to brainstorm ideas for the 2023 build and begin working toward a fundraising goal of $5,000. On April 17th, CSArch team members met at Crossgates Mall to carefully stack 1,630 cans and create Lady Liberty’s torch, which stands at 8 feet tall. The following evening, each CANstruction team gathered to celebrate the success of this year’s build and present awards to several winning teams.

CSArch CANstruction poster, created by Phil Quindara 

During the Award Ceremony, Natasha Pernicka, Executive Director of the Food Pantries, spoke about the stark increase in food insecurity over the past year for families in the Capital Region. The donations provided through CANstruction are more impactful than ever, and CSArch is proud to be part of the organization's yearly mission. The CANstructures will be on display at Crossgates Mall until May 1st. Vote for Lady Liberty as the People’s Choice Award by bringing canned food items to CSArch’s bin, located on the first floor of the mall near the Apple Store.

Time lapse of the CANstruction 2023 build