The Biography of Chicago’s Marina City

Canstruction Chicago 2008
June 10, 2008

Marina City depicted using cans of food in lobby of 350 West Mart Center. Photo by Steven Dahlman. Every year since 2006, Canstruction Chicago has pit teams of architects, engineers, and students against each other to design and build structures made entirely from full cans of food. The food is then donated to Greater Chicago Food Depository.

In 2008, Marina City was one of 20 structures depicted using cans of food and displayed in the lobby of 350 West Mart Center.

It took 4,714 cans to build the aptly named Tuna City. The structure was assembled by 15 team members at two firms. 4240 Architecture designed the residential towers, Smith & Wollensky, the river, and bridges. Charter Sills & Associates, a lighting design firm, designed and assembled House of Blues and Hotel Sax. Tuna cans were used for each tower.

A panel of guest judges gave the Marina City display a national award for Best Use of Labels.

(Right) Closer angle. Click on image to view larger version.

Close angle of Marina City constructed from cans for Canstruction Chicago 2008. Photo by Steven Dahlman.

Last updated 30-May-17

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