MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Ellerbe Becket professionals took on hunger and picked up three design awards in the process as they participated in Canstruction at the Mall of America Sept. 26-27.
Canstruction is a design/build competition showcasing the talents of local design and construction industry professionals and students they mentor. The events, held around the world, give teams just 12 hours to defy expectations, logic and gravity as they build fantastic sculptures from thousands of cans of food. They are driven by the knowledge that their structures will change lives by lifting ht spirits of those in need, raising public awareness and most importantly, by filling the shelves of a local food shelter, Second Harvest Heartland in St. Paul.
Ellerbe Becket’s entry, “The Very Hungry CANerpillar,” is recognizable to adults and children alike. The firm’s choice of cans helped bring vision to reality by combining several types of high nutritional value food to make a meal.
“A caterpillar eats one leaf at a time…we are fighting hunger one can at a time!” reads the Ellerbe Becket project description. The entry won three of seven design awards at the Mall of America event: Honorable Mention; People’s Choice; and Best Use of Labels, but above all donated 3.24 tons (6,471 lbs) of food to the food shelves.
Ellerbe Becket professionals who participated include Aaron Kapphahn, Colleen Kaldun, Erin Nielsen, Marla Mullinax, Mary Claire Olson, Mike Oertel, Steve Groven, Steve Gamache, Tami Slater, Toni Gallagher, Kellie Kemp, Greg Hamilton, Hoseong Kang, Trish Murray, James Warne and Nick Oelke.
Sponsors included US Foods, Kraus-Anderson Companies Inc., Dunn Brothers Coffee, Zeller Realty, Mission Construction Inc., Erberts and Gerbers, Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Stahl Construction Company and Artifex/Millwork Inc.
An innovator since its founding in 1909, Ellerbe Becket is a leader in architecture, engineering, interiors and the construction industry, with office locations worldwide.
Contact: news@ellerbebecket.com
