November 25, 2024

After months of planning, design, and construction, our RVK team is celebrating the success of this year’s CANstruction project—a life-sized Garfield, the iconic orange cat. We’re thrilled to announce it received two awards at the CAN Opener Awards: “Best Original Design” and “People’s Choice.”

Throughout several weeks, visitors to North Star Mall cast their votes, giving San Antonians the chance to support their favorite designs. Now, Garfield stands proudly at the San Antonio Food Bank, where he will be displayed until September 2025, as a reminder of how creativity and community can come together to fight hunger.

What is CANstruction?

CANstruction is a national event organized by the American Institute of Architects in partnership with local food banks. Teams across the country build massive, imaginative sculptures made entirely from canned goods to raise awareness about hunger. After the competition, all cans are donated to food banks, turning these temporary works of art into a lasting community impact. Started up originally in 1992, RVK has been a part of the local CANstruction competition since 2006.

The CANstruction process involves careful planning and teamwork: from initial design concepts and material sourcing to a practice build and final assembly at the event site. It’s a unique way to combine art, architecture, and a commitment to community service.

Why Garfield?

We considered over 16 iconic characters for our CANstruction, but Garfield came out on top. This lovable, mischievous cat is universally recognized, making him a perfect choice to capture attention and bring joy to our display. Plus, orange is associated with hunger awareness, and CANstruction even awards teams for “Best Use of Orange.” Garfield’s vibrant coat and larger-than-life personality were a fitting tribute to our cause and mission.

Building Garfield

Creating Garfield required a collaborative, six-phase approach that resembled an architectural project. Keep in mind, depending on the team and resources the time frame may vary. Generally speaking, it may be a 7-to-10-month long process to reach the final build. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we brought him to life:

Our Team

The success of our CANstruction project was a true team effort, with each RVK member playing a specific role to ensure every phase ran smoothly. We were also fortunate to work alongside Nunnelly General Contractor and Lundy & Franke Engineering Co., who helped with transportation, construction support, and sponsorship. Their contributions were essential to bringing Garfield to life and amplifying the impact of our project.

Thank You to our Collaborators and Donators

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our RVK team, our partners at Nunnelly General Contractor and Lundy & Franke Engineering Co., and our generous donors. Thanks to each of you, we were able to donate over 4,000 cans to the San Antonio Food Bank, providing meals for families in need. Your dedication turned a creative idea into meaningful action, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s CANstruction challenge!