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Arlington, Va. – The Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Northern Virginia), in collaboration with Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, announced the 2024 Canstruction Northern Virginia Award winners at a reception held at Matchbox in Arlington, Va. Architecture firms were recognized with awards for their creative designs and innovative use of canned goods.

This annual community hunger relief initiative gathered over 36,309 cans of food estimated to be worth over $54,000 which will be donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) to aid in providing relief to Arlington County residents.

Decided by a jury panel including AIA Northern Virginia’s Chapter Immediate Past President, architect April C. Drake, AIA; Simon Property’s Director of Operations Shay Ramdeen; Said Harmouche, Owner and Principal of MEP Designs, Inc.; and Burke & Herbert Bank’s, Nancy Hong, Vice President/Branch Manager, several awards were given across six categories. In addition, the public voted online over several days for their favorite featured in the People’s Choice Award category.

Awards were given to architecture firm teams whose projects used the most cans, received the highest marks for design, showed the greatest structural ingenuity, best used the canned goods’ labels to give life to their designs, and used cans for their structure that would best make a delicious meal.

“Canstruction is the perfect event to not only allow our AIA Northern Virginia members to showcase their incredible architecture and design skills, but to also show support for our community,” said Braden L. Field, AIA, 2024 AIA Northern Virginia President and Associate Principal at MTFA Architecture, Arlington, Va., “We’re very proud to organize the event and hopefully use this fun and engaging activity to inspire future architects.” 

AIA Northern Virginia thanks this year’s program sponsors MEP Designs, Inc., Can Manufacturers Institute, Sherwin Williams and Burke & Herbert Bank, as well as all Canstruction organizers, participants, and voters for helping to make the event such a success.

The 2024 Canstruction Northern Virginia Award Winners are:

Team Spirit Awards:

• The Road to End Hunger, designed and built by Loudoun County, Va. Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure (DTCI)
• CAN-VENTIONS designed and built by KGD (Kishimoto. Gordon. Dalaya PC)  
• Turning the Tables on Hunger designed and built by MW Architects

Jurors’ Favorite Award:

• ROCKET CAN: Firing Up the Fight Against Hunger! designed and built by MTFA Architecture

Most Cans Award:

• Canzilla Crunches Hunger, designed and built by Deceder Group & DFS Construction

Best Meal Award:

• Mario-lympics, designed and built by Jacobs

Structural Ingenuity Award:

• You TouCAN Help Fight Hunger designed and built by Wiley|Wilson

Best Use of Labels Award:

• Heal the Hunger with the Heelers! designed and built by Samaha Associates, P.C.

Best Original Design Award:

• MOOOVE Over Hunger, designed and built by HGA

People’s Choice Award:

• Turning the Tables on Hunger designed and built by MW Architects

See photos of build night, and the final canned good sculptures on Social Media:

Instagram: @aianorthernvirginia

Facebook: @aianova

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About AIA Northern Virginia

The American Institute of Architects Northern Virginia Chapter is a non-profit professional association representing more than 1,100 Northern Virginia architects, interns, and allied professionals. It encompasses 25 cities and counties in Virginia and was chartered by the American Institute of Architects in 1975. AIA Northern Virginia is one of five local components affiliated with AIA Virginia. The Chapter offers professional development, networking, and outreach opportunities as well as tours and lectures to advance the knowledge of architecture and practice among professionals and promote awareness and appreciation of architecture among the public.

CONTACT:
AIA Northern Virginia
Jaclyn S. Toole, Assoc. AIA
Executive Director
703-549-9747
[email protected]