Shoppers visiting North Star Mall this month will encounter an array of massive, imaginative structures built entirely from canned food. The eye-catching displays are part of the 19th annual Canstruction event, a philanthropic design and construction competition organized to support the San Antonio Food Bank. Local architectural, engineering, and design firms have combined artistry with structural ingenuity to create works of art that also serve a critical charitable mission.
Among the standout entries this year is a whimsical installation created by the Southwest Research Institute's Facilities Capital Improvement Group. Titled "The Yeti Reveals Himself to Can Hunger," the sculpture offers a creative spin on a widely recognized internet meme. The original digital gag features the cartoon character Homer Simpson slowly stepping backward into a lush garden hedge until he is fully concealed.
In the SwRI team's version, the famous animated character has been replaced by the mythical Abominable Snowman. The decision to feature the Himalayan creature was intentional and holds special meaning for the institute. According to Will Hayes, the manager of the facilities capital improvement group at SwRI, the yeti has long functioned as an unofficial mascot across their campus, inspiring stickers, life-sized cutouts, and specialized organizational gatherings.
The hedge setting of the sculpture also serves as a lighthearted nod to the research institute’s real-world physical surroundings. Hayes noted that because the facility is enclosed by a prominent tree boundary, members of the surrounding community are frequently curious about the activities taking place behind the greenery. By "Simpsonifying" their mascot, the builders gave visitors a playful visual concept while addressing curiosity about their organization.
Bringing the yeti sculpture to life required considerable planning and an exact tally of 1,273 food cans. The builders carefully selected specific food varieties based on their color and packaging to achieve the desired visual textures. Cans of green beans, carrots, and peas were arranged to construct the verdant shrubbery, while cans of hominy were used to render the pale fur of the snowbound creature.
The overall initiative is coordinated through the collaboration of local chapters of the Society for Design Administration and the American Institute of Architects. Held annually at North Star Mall for nearly two decades, the gathering represents a cornerstone event for Hunger Action Month, which takes place nationwide each September to elevate public consciousness around local food insecurity.
To emphasize this cause, the event incorporates the color orange, the recognized official hue of Hunger Action Month. Participating teams are encouraged to build intricate designs that attract public interest, demonstrate architectural skill, and generate large volumes of nonperishable goods for distribution to families across the region.
The 2026 roster of competitors features seven dedicated teams representing a cross-section of professional and academic talent. Along with the Southwest Research Institute, this year's participating organizations include Ford, Powell & Carson, HDR & Joeris General Contractors, Luna Architecture, RVK Architecture, Merrick & Co., and student designers from San Antonio College.
All seven installations were assembled on Sunday and are scheduled to remain on public exhibition inside the shopping center through September 26. Once the exhibition concludes, the complex structures will be dismantled, and every single can of food will be transferred directly to the San Antonio Food Bank to assist with its ongoing distribution programs.
Beyond functioning as an important community fundraiser, Canstruction operates as a competitive showcase judged across multiple professional categories. A panel composed of local business leaders and prominent community figures evaluated each build based on technical skill, aesthetic appeal, structural integrity, and the nutritional value of the canned goods selected.
The formal results were revealed on Monday evening during the Can-Opener Awards Ceremony, an event hosted at the mall and emceed by David Elder, television host of "Texas Eats." Several teams took home top honors for their engineering feats and thoughtful approaches to food selection.
HDR & Joeris General Contractors achieved significant recognition for their entry, "Can Antonio Mystery Inc." The towering project utilized a staggering 7,200 cans of food, securing the honors for both Most Cans and the Best Meal award. Another major winner was RVK Architecture, which took home the Best Original Design accolade for "CANdalorian," a creation assembled using 5,000 canned goods.
Other design categories celebrated visual flair and engineering precision. Luna Architecture earned the Best Structural Design award for its installation, "Beacon of Inspiration," while Merrick & Co. received the Best Use of Labels title for their entry, "LiliPad."
San Antonio College made an impressive showing in the student ranks with its sculpture, "The Giving Piñata." Utilizing 1,842 food cans, the collegiate team earned the Broadway Bank Student Trophy Award as well as the Best Use of Orange award for incorporating the signature color of Hunger Action Month.
While the juried honors have been presented, one major accolade remains open to the public. Mall visitors can cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award by scanning designated QR codes displayed at the exhibition sites. Voting will continue through the conclusion of the display, with the final public winner scheduled to be announced on September 28 before the thousands of cans are packed up to feed the local community.
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