by: Jessica Sheridan Assoc. AIA LEED AP
By Kristen Richards
For the 16th time, New York architecture and engineering firms answered the call from Canstruction’s founder and Executive Director Cheri Melillo, SDA/C, Hon. AIA, to prove that “one can make a difference” — or 162,000 can, to be precise. Forty firms entered the design-build competition with ingenious sculptures made entirely of canned foods and other non-perishable, edible items.
The jury, including Stephanie Gelb, AIA, Battery Park City Authority VP, Planning & Design; artist Richard Haas; Michael Horodniceanu, Ph.D., President, MTA Capital Construction Company; James Lunday, host, HGTV’s “Rip & Renew”; Gregg Pasquarelli, Partner, SHoP Architects; and yours truly, had a tough time selecting the six winners, pictured below (any one could have fit every category).
Also honored during the awards presentation on November 20 were Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Ted Moudis Associates, each receiving a Silver Plate Award for their past 10-year commitment to the program.
The New York City competition is co-presented by the Society for Design Administration New York Chapter, the AIA New York Chapter, and arts>World Financial Center.
Jurors’ Favorite: “One Can Dream,” by Fradkin & McAlpin Associates (monochromatic elegance; shades of Brancusi).
Kristen Richards
Structural Ingenuity: “The Seafarer,” by Platt Byard Dovell White Architects (one could feel the breezes).
Kristen Richards
Best Meal: “CANda Hunger End,” by Gensler (organic and low/no-fat foods, and oh-so loveable).
Kristen Richards
Best Use of Labels: “Swan Cantata,” by Cooper Carry (elegant; uses nothing but Swanson foods; 14,568 cans!).
Kristen Richards
Honorable Mention: “United at Last,” by Butler Rogers Baskett Architects (the message is clear).
Kristen Richards
Honorable Mention: “Torque for Hunger,” by Rand Engineering & Architecture (Serra does it, but how’d they do that?).
Kristen Richards
11.06.08: Landscape architect Ken Smith (left) and Rob Rogers, FAIA, Rogers Marvel Architects, are all smiles at the New York Chapter, American Society of Landscape Architects (NYASLA) annual President’s Award Dinner, honoring The Nature Conservancy.
Kristen Richards
11.12.08: David Gauld, AIA, at the preview of the new 1,700-square-foot Lion Brand Yarn Studio at 34 W. 15 St., which he designed to be very welcoming – and very green.
Kristen Richards
11.14.08: Triple Bridge Gateway lighting hosted by Leni Schwendinger Light Projects. (L-R): Donald Fram, chief architect for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Henry Stolzman, FAIA, principal at PKSB; and lighting designer and artist Leni Schwendinger.
Charles Cameron
(L-R): Brooke Astor Award recipients Judy and Michael Steinhardt with Martha Stewart.
Courtesy Top Dog Gala
A Sandi Pei-designed “Bird Pavilion” was auctioned off at the event.
Courtesy Top Dog Gala