Meet the Canstruction Boston 2026 Winners!
Posted on Oct. 19, 2026 / Events / Subscribe 0
And the Winners Are… Celebrating Canstruction Boston 2026!
From galaxies far, far away to the streets of Bikini Bottom, Canstruction Boston 2026 brought fictional worlds to life, one can at a time!
Hosted by SMPS Boston, this year's Canstruction Boston competition invited teams from across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry to put their creativity, technical skills, and teamwork to the test, building larger-than-life sculptures from canned food and other nonperishable items. Inspired by the theme "Fictional Worlds," the 2026 installations transformed Atlantic Wharf in Boston into a showcase of beloved characters and imaginative destinations.
The real magic of Canstruction goes beyond the structures themselves. Following the exhibition, the food used to create the installations is donated to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, helping support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
On October 15, participating teams, industry professionals, and supporters gathered to celebrate this year's award winners and recognize the imagination, ingenuity, and generosity behind their creations.
Meet the 2026 Canstruction Boston Award Winners
Best Meal & Structural Integrity: CUBE 3
Structure: "RA-CAN-ZEL, RA-CAN-ZEL, LET DOWN YOUR HAIR"
CUBE 3 brought a fresh twist to a classic fairy tale with its imaginative interpretation of Rapunzel. Set in the fictional Kingdom of Cor(n)-ona, the team's creation featured a towering castle and Racanzel's signature corn-colored hair. Built with 1,845 cans and 125 additional food packages, the structure combined storytelling, clever material choices, and technical execution.
The team's attention to both food selection and construction earned two awards: Best Meal and Structural Integrity!
Best Use of Labels: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH)
Structure: "CHOMPING OUT HUNGER"
Inspired by one of the most memorable scenes from Jurassic Park, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) brought prehistoric excitement to Atlantic Wharf with a colorful T-Rex towering over a tour vehicle. The team used 2,778 cans, along with bags of rice to create a surrounding canopy of foliage.
Through strategic use of can labels and colors, the team transformed everyday food products into a recognizable cinematic scene, earning the Best Use of Labels award.
Best Original Design and Most Cans: Nitsch Engineering
Structure: "CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GET TO SESAME STREET?"
"C" is for can, and Nitsch Engineering proved that's good enough for an award-winning design! The team's nostalgic tribute to Sesame Street featured familiar characters Grover, Oscar the Grouch, and Elmo, complete with the neighborhood's recognizable stoop and street sign.
With an impressive 3,440 cans, Nitsch Engineering earned both Best Original Design and Most Cans. Beyond its creative execution, the structure celebrated the spirit of community that has made Sesame Street a beloved part of childhood for generations, connecting perfectly with Canstruction's mission of helping neighbors in need.
Honorable Mention: McNamara Salvia
Structure: "WHO LIVES IN A CAN-APPLE UNDER THE SEA?"
McNamara Salvia took visitors under the sea with a colorful recreation of Bikini Bottom's Conch Street, featuring the homes of Patrick Star, Squidward Tentacles, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
This year’s judges agreed that this structure was a wonderful example of world-building. The multiple distinct structures, variation in scale, and overall composition made it an ambitious and memorable submission well-deserving of Honorable Mention.
People's Choice and Social Media Soup-er Star: Wentworth Institute of Technology
Structure: "THE MILLENNIUM FAL'CAN'"
The Force was strong with the Wentworth Institute of Technology Sweeney Programs of Construction Management's CM Club! The student team traveled to a galaxy far, far away for its recreation of the legendary Millennium Falcon from Star Wars.
Using 1,505 cans and a design developed through Fusion 360 and layer-by-layer modeling, the team brought the iconic spacecraft to life while demonstrating the teamwork and technical creativity at the heart of Canstruction.
Wentworth's creation captured the attention of both visitors and online audiences, earning the People's Choice Award and Social Media Soup-er Star recognition.
Celebrating the People Behind the Competition
Canstruction Boston would not be possible without the time, creativity, and commitment of participating teams, volunteers, sponsors, and industry partners.
A special thank-you goes to our distinguished panel of judges, who generously shared their time and perspectives to evaluate this year's incredible creations:
- Lisa Frisbie, Vice President of Member Services, AGC MA
- Ann Gisinger, President & Executive Director, EBC New England
- Danyson Tavares, Executive Director, Boston Society for Architecture (BSA)
- Erin Miller, Chapter President, Professional Women in Construction Boston
- Molly Romano, SMPS Boston President, Windover Construction
We also extend our appreciation to BXP and Atlantic Wharf for hosting this year's exhibition, and to our sponsors, participating firms, and dedicated volunteers for supporting another successful event.
Creativity That Makes a Difference
While the awards celebrate outstanding design, engineering, and innovation, the greatest achievement of Canstruction Boston is the collective impact made possible by everyone involved. This year’s total donation to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank exceeds 29,000 cans and food items thanks to our 12 dedicated teams.
There's still time to see the magic in person! The 2026 Canstruction Boston structures remain on display at Atlantic Wharf, Waterfront Square, and Nelson Court through October 23. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners and to every team that helped turn fictional worlds into real-world impact. Thank you for another unforgettable year of creativity, collaboration, and giving back!
Learn more about Canstruction Boston at SMPS Boston.
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