More than 30,000 cans of tuna, green beans, and other staples were scattered around the North Star Mall Monday in colorful displays that called attention to hunger relief.

Architects, designers, and engineers gathered to celebrate the 11th annual “Canstruction,” where teams from architecture and design firms get together to create statues out of non-perishable cans of food. The winners, selected by a panel of five judges, will have their structure displayed in the lobby of the San Antonio Food Bank for one year.

This year the judges included San Antonio Food Bank President and CEO Eric Cooper, Whataburger Design Manager Matt Bartholomew, State Rep. Diego Bernal (D-123), AIA San Antonio Chapter President Christine Viña, and Rivard Report Director Robert Rivard.

After the judges made their decision, the winners were announced at the Canopener Awards, hosted by KSAT TV’s Fiona Gorostiza.

“It’s so inspiring to see these cans stack up for a good cause,” Gorostiza said.

The Juror’s Choice Award went to “PesCANtarian – The Empty Side of Hunger” by Alamo Architects and Turner Construction. (See top image.)

“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.”

The rest of the structures will be displayed in the North Star Mall until Sept. 24, when they will be taken down and donated to the Food Bank.

The winner of the People’s Choice award will be announced later this month. Take the survey below to vote for your favorite design.

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RVK Architects, Spectrum Lighting, and Lundy and Franke Engineering Inc's entry for the 11th annual Canstruction, "Paving Our Way Out of Hunger". Photo by James McCandless
RVK Architects, Spectrum Lighting, and Lundy and Franke Engineering Inc’s entry for the 11th annual Canstruction, “Paving Our Way Out of Hunger.”  Photo by James McCandless.
"Knocking Hunger UnCANscious" by Kimley-Horn and PBK. Photo by James McCandless
“Knocking Hunger UnCANscious” by Kimley-Horn and PBK.  Photo by James McCandless.
"Pokemon Go - Gotta Feed 'em All" by Michael Imbimbo Architects and Barker Structural Engineers. Photo by James McCandless
“Pokemon Go – Gotta Feed ’em All” by Michael Imbimbo Architects and Barker Structural Engineers.  Photo by James McCandless.
"Hank and Dory Escape Hunger" by MDN Architects. Photo by James McCandless
“Hank and Dory Escape Hunger” by MDN Architects.  Photo by James McCandless.
"Octopus - Hunger Stinks" by Open Studio Architecture and DBR Engineering. Photo by James McCandless.
“Octopus – Hunger Stinks” by Open Studio Architecture and DBR Engineering.  Photo by James McCandless.
"Poke-Can Go - End-Hunger" by HEB Design and Construction. Photo by James McCandless
“Poke-Can Go – End-Hunger” by H-E-B Design and Construction.  Photo by James McCandless.
"A Day on the Riverwalk" by Villa Park Architecture/Planning/Interiors and Beicker Consultants LLC. Photo by James McCandless
“A Day on the Riverwalk” by Villa Park Architecture/Planning/Interiors and Beicker Consultants LLC.  Photo by James McCandless.
"Raise the World Against Hunger" by San Antonio College AIA San Antonio members. Photo by James McCandless.
“Raise the World Against Hunger” by San Antonio College AIA San Antonio members.  Photo by James McCandless.
The Winner of Canstruction 2016. "PesCANtarian - The Empty Side of Hunger" by Alamo Architects and Turner Construction. Photo by James McCandless
The Winner of Canstruction 2016. “PesCANtarian – The Empty Side of Hunger” by Alamo Architects and Turner Construction. Photo by James McCandless
https://rivardreport.wildapricot.org

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Sept. 12, 2016.

Top Image: The Winner of Canstruction 2016. “PesCANtarian – The Empty Side of Hunger” by Alamo Architects and Turner Construction. Photo by James McCandless

Related Stories:

Canstruction: An Innovative Call To Relieve Hunger 

‘Canstruction’ Builds Hunger Awareness

The Art of Canstruction Feeds the Hungry

SA Food Bank: Beyond ‘Feeding the Line’

Former intern James McCandless is a recent St. Mary's University graduate. He has worked with the San Antonio Current and Texas Public Radio.