CANstruction: June 2007 – Chicago

On June 1st, RJN's Wheaton office participated in the 1st Annual CANstruction design/build competition to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository. RJN Group was one of 13 CANstruction teams, comprised of Chicago-area architects and engineers, to put their abilities to the test at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry by creating a colossal structure produced entirely with cans—all to aid in the cause to fight hunger.

RJN's build, a space shuttle with a theme of "Blast Off to End Hunger," took 9 hours to assemble, going into the early hours of the morning. Design teams worked within a 10' x 10' space to complete the assignment. The final design held 3,082 total cans. While RJN's team did not win an award this year, everyone worked very hard and that display is built to last! According to team captain Jan Miller, "It may have been a competition, but there really are no losers when it comes to supporting the cause to end hunger." In addition to the cans of food, RJN Group's effort was supported by 18 team sponsors.

Special thanks go to Jan and her team: Steve Frerichs, Fran Eyman, Susan Laitas, Katrina Colbert, Barb Chilcutt, Dave Block, Jeff Frauenfelder, Valerie Kelly, Sharletha Johnson, Karol Giokas, Al Hollenbeck, Mike Young, Ed Kalina, Bob, Sue, Lauren, and Katie Januska, Andy Witt, and Jim Liubicich.

Other entries included a baseball, a beer stein with bottles, a dump truck, "Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em" robots, an ant farm, and several versions of the Chicago "Bean." The one-of-a-kind structures from this particular competition were produced from over 45,000 cans—the equivalent of about 17,000 meals for the hungry. All proceeds from the competition went to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Chicago is one of 76 cities holding CANstruction events in 2007. This year's event was sponsored by AIA Chicago (a chapter of the American Institute of Architects) and the Museum of Science and Industry.

CANstruction is a national charity of the Design and Construction Industry created by the Society for Design Administration. For additional information on the event, cities, and sponsors, visit www.canstruction.com. More information about AIA Chicago can be found at www.aiachicago.org.

All displays will be on exhibit from June 2 - 24 at the museum. And June 3-8 is "free" week. Browse the exhibit at no cost.

Sponsors for the RJN Group exhibit included:

• 2IM Group
• Brady Services
• Braxton Seafood Grill
• C.E. Soling & Associates LLC
• Christopher Burke
• Enterprise Fleet Services
• Everest Engineering
• Johnny D's Restaurant
• Joseph R. Pisciotto
• Mel-O Air
• Miles Boone Photography
• P.S. Flowers
• Reliable Printing & Promotion
• RJN Employee Owners
• Staples Office Supply
• Showmat Transport Co.
• Testing Services Corp.