Local architects and engineers are teaming up to fight hunger in what has been called “the most unique food charity in the world.” he Chattanooga chapter of the American Institute of Architects will bring the international event Canstruction and their own UnCANventional Ball to Chattanooga on Feb. 20 at Warehouse Row to benefit the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
“This is the eighth year we have hosted Canstruction in Chattanooga, and it is a tradition we plan to keep,” said Brian Clarke, president of the Chattanooga chapter of AIA. “This event brings the community together, spotlights hunger issues and showcases the talent of our design community.”
The community is invited to view the construction of these canned food sculptures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Warehouse Row. These sculptures will be built by teams of design firms and students from Hamilton County middle schools. There is no entry fee to view the construction of the canned food sculptures.
Later that evening the newly constructed sculptures will be featured at the “UnCANventional Ball,” held from 7 to 11 p.m. at Warehouse Row. Ball attendees will enjoy specialty beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants including Chattanooga Cupcake, Easy Bistro, Public House, St. John’s, Table 2 and The Terminal BrewHouse. ToneHarm will be providing musical entertainment for the event.
Tickets to the ball may be purchased online at www.uncanventional.com. Attire is “casual festive.” Tickets are $40 per person and benefit the AIA and the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
The food products used for the structures are purchased through entry fees and event sponsors. The can sculptures will be on display at Warehouse Row on Feb. 20-28. After the event, all items used for the sculptures will be donated to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
This year’s competing Chattanooga Canstruction firms are Advanced Energy Engineering & Design, Inc.; Artech Design Group; Elemi Architects; March Adams & Associates, Inc.; Neuhoff Taylor Architects, P.C.; and River Street Architecture.
Students from the following middle schools will partner with the design firms to construct the canned food sculptures: Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts; East Hamilton Middle School; Lookout Valley Middle School; Red Bank Middle School; Signal Mountain Middle School; and Tyner Middle Academy.
Canstruction and UnCANventional sponsors are BI-LO, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Collier Construction, Rentenbach, S&ME and Unum.