10th annual 'Canstruction LA' design competition benefits LA Regional Food Bank

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- If they build it, you will come. That's the hope and intent of the annual "Canstruction LA" contest where architects, builders, designers, and engineers team up for an overnight sensation.

"The build is a really magical night, it's like the Santa elves coming and turning a pile of cans into these structures," Damian Carroll of Canstruction said.

Now in it's 10th year, Carroll said collectively Canstruction has raised over 300,000 pounds of food, which goes to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

"And the best part about it is, 80 percent of the food that we take in, is nutritious, classified as nutritious food," said Mario Haug of the L.A. Regional Food Bank.

There are awards for "Best Use of Labels," "Best Meal," "Structural Ingenuity" and of course "Juror's Favorite."

One display even had an "uncanny" likeness to David Bowie.

The teams take months to conjure up their canned art, working on color, style, theme and logistics.

Vincent Cunigan said their SmithGroup/JJR team had to re-group when cans they'd planned to use weren't available, but their "Can Wars: The Food Awaken's" came together figuratively and financially.

"In terms of cans, we push around $8,000," said Cunigan.

One team got canned in the process, although they're allowed to re-canstruct for the showing. The event was to remain open at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in downtown Los Angeles until 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Each vote cost $1 and will help the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

"For every dollar that we take in, it will feed and create four meals," reminded Haug.

"It can raise well over $5,000 every year and we're bringing in almost 20,000 cans of food," said Carroll.