Environ competes in CANstruction 2015

Yay TEAM ENVIRON / CRC!!!

2015 marked the first year Environ participated in the famed CANstruction competition. Organized by Terri Henry Marketing, the contest recruits engineering and design firms who are asked to create structures entirely out of canned food. Awards are given for Best Use of Labels, Best Meal, Structural Ingenuity, Jurors' Favorite, People's Choice and Honorable Mention.

Though our competition was tough - other firms included MHP/P2S, Moffatt & Nichol, SCS Engineers and c|a Architects - we were up for the challenge. 

First things first, we needed a design. This year's theme was "Breakfast CAN make a difference." Emails were exchanged, brainstorming sessions were had, and ideas sprouted. We put our collective thinking hats on, and

"Oh, tHe thiNks yOu Can thiNk!"



We found our inspiration in Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham, and the design statement: "It's a classic; make it fun!" was created to accompany our structure. Drawings and a can count were turned in a month before the scheduled build.

Environ's Vice President Willetta McCulloh explains that the decision for the whimsical design was two-fold: "We wanted something memorable and playful, but another cause that's dear to our hearts is the importance of literacy. Statistics show that in Long Beach, 56 percent of children read below their grade level. By highlighting a classic children's book, we are hoping to raise awareness about nutrition and literacy."

Environ teamed up with California Resources Corporation (CRC), who helped sponsor the event. There were also 510 cases of butter beans donated by S&W, which were made available to all teams. SCI Lighting also donated funds to purchase the cans which were to be healthy options; no junk food allowed. A test build was conducted in the office a week before the competition.

Wil gets busy with butter beans. Foam core and PVC pipes were used for reinforcement.

"Oh tHe Finds yOu caN fINd!" 
In our quest for green, white and red cans of food, we discovered Jalapeño SPAM!

Yes! This exists!

BUILD DAY

On September 17, 2015, teams gathered in the lobby of downtown Long Beach's Landmark Square at 8:00 a.m. to begin CANstruction. Each team was given twelve hours to complete their structures within a 10'x10'x10' space. Five team members could work on it at a time.

CRC's Phallo and Eric with Environ's Lety, Barbara and Willetta.

Environ's principals Alan Burks and Willetta McCulloh get in on the action!

Placing the platter on top of the hat.

Time to put a fork in it. We're almost done! Team co-captain Barbara Hordyk and Aimee Mandala.

I wIll Eat it oN a Hat!
 Made of CANs at LAndmArk SQuAre!
 FLoaTiNg oN a sea of WateR!
I Will eAt iT AnywHeRe!

In addition to S&W, this year's sponsors included SCAN Healthplan, Long Beach Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Buono's Pizza and Downtown Long Beach Associates. The fun and creative competition will result in over 10,000 cans of food donated to Food Finders right here in the Long Beach community.

Structures will be on display through September 28, 2015 and whether or not we take home a prize, the experience was worth it. The true winners are the families who will benefit from the generous donations from this worthy cause.

"Oh the cans you can do with CANstruction!"