Last week, team members from Noelker and Hull’s Frederick office participated in Canstruction Frederick, a unique community event held at Warehouse Cinemas in Frederick, Maryland, benefiting the Frederick Rescue Mission.
Principal Nikki Brooks and Senior Project Manager Patricia Ferrufino-Mendoza joined forces with partners from Triad Engineering and Morgan-Keller forming a collaborative team at the invitation of Triad Engineering. Working together as equal contributors, the group combined creativity, teamwork, and purpose to design and construct a large-scale sculpture made entirely of canned goods. Reflecting on the experience, Nikki shares, “We had the opportunity to team build with professionals from companies we regularly collaborate with, but in a completely different setting. Instead of focusing on day-to-day work, we were able to connect on a more personal level, which made the experience both enjoyable and rewarding.”
Designing with Purpose
The Maryland CAN! Team (Noelker and Hull, Triad Engineering, and Morgan-Keller) joined seven other AEC industry groups to participate in this year’s event. In total, more than 25,000 cans were collected for Canstruction Frederick, with over 3,200 cans used to construct the team’s Maryland Flag sculpture.
The Maryland Flag was selected for its powerful symbolism. Nikki explains, “The Maryland flag represents unity, and in a time when things can feel especially divided, that sense of unity is something we should all be striving for. It’s bold, recognizable, and something Marylanders feel deeply connected to—making it a meaningful choice for this project.”
Canstruction Frederick: Creativity Meets Community Impact
Canstruction, founded in 1992, is an international charity competition where teams design and build structures entirely from canned food—blending design innovation with community service. The Frederick event brings together local architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to support a shared cause: fighting food insecurity.
The sculptures are currently on display at Warehouse Cinemas through July 5, giving the public a chance to experience the creativity firsthand and vote for their favorite designs.
While the visual impact of the sculptures draws attention, the mission behind the event is what matters most. “All seven teams worked hard to create something that would bring a little unexpected joy to visitors,” Nikki adds, “But the true focus is providing food to those in need. When the exhibit ends, every can will be donated—resulting in thousands of meals for individuals and families facing food insecurity in our community.”
A Meaningful Contribution
The Frederick Rescue Mission continues to play a critical role in supporting the local community. In 2025 alone, the organization served nearly 100,000 meals, distributed 1.3 million pounds of clothing, helped more than 100 individuals find housing, and was supported by 12,000 dedicated volunteers. Now, in 2026, Canstruction Frederick will be donating over 25,000 cans to the Frederick Rescue Mission to help those who are struggling with food insecurity. Patricia reflects, “It was incredibly meaningful to know that every can used in the structure would be donated afterward. Being part of something that directly contributes to helping individuals and families in need made the experience even more powerful.”
Community members are encouraged to visit the Canstruction Frederick exhibit at Warehouse Cinemas to view the sculptures, cast their votes, and support this meaningful cause.
To vote for the Maryland CAN! Team (Noelker and Hull, Triad Engineering, and Morgan-Keller), visit: secure.qgiv.com/for/cans202/event/canstructionfrederick2026/
Last week, team members from Noelker and Hull’s Frederick office participated in Canstruction Frederick, a unique community event held at Warehouse Cinemas in Frederick, Maryland, benefiting the Frederick Rescue Mission.
Principal Nikki Brooks and Senior Project Manager Patricia Ferrufino-Mendoza joined forces with partners from Triad Engineering and Morgan-Keller forming a collaborative team at the invitation of Triad Engineering. Working together as equal contributors, the group combined creativity, teamwork, and purpose to design and construct a large-scale sculpture made entirely of canned goods. Reflecting on the experience, Nikki shares, “We had the opportunity to team build with professionals from companies we regularly collaborate with, but in a completely different setting. Instead of focusing on day-to-day work, we were able to connect on a more personal level, which made the experience both enjoyable and rewarding.”
Designing with Purpose
The Maryland CAN! Team (Noelker and Hull, Triad Engineering, and Morgan-Keller) joined seven other AEC industry groups to participate in this year’s event. In total, more than 25,000 cans were collected for Canstruction Frederick, with over 3,200 cans used to construct the team’s Maryland Flag sculpture.
The Maryland Flag was selected for its powerful symbolism. Nikki explains, “The Maryland flag represents unity, and in a time when things can feel especially divided, that sense of unity is something we should all be striving for. It’s bold, recognizable, and something Marylanders feel deeply connected to—making it a meaningful choice for this project.”
Canstruction Frederick: Creativity Meets Community Impact
Canstruction, founded in 1992, is an international charity competition where teams design and build structures entirely from canned food—blending design innovation with community service. The Frederick event brings together local architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to support a shared cause: fighting food insecurity.
The sculptures are currently on display at Warehouse Cinemas through July 5, giving the public a chance to experience the creativity firsthand and vote for their favorite designs.
While the visual impact of the sculptures draws attention, the mission behind the event is what matters most. “All seven teams worked hard to create something that would bring a little unexpected joy to visitors,” Nikki adds, “But the true focus is providing food to those in need. When the exhibit ends, every can will be donated—resulting in thousands of meals for individuals and families facing food insecurity in our community.”
A Meaningful Contribution
The Frederick Rescue Mission continues to play a critical role in supporting the local community. In 2025 alone, the organization served nearly 100,000 meals, distributed 1.3 million pounds of clothing, helped more than 100 individuals find housing, and was supported by 12,000 dedicated volunteers. Now, in 2026, Canstruction Frederick will be donating over 25,000 cans to the Frederick Rescue Mission to help those who are struggling with food insecurity. Patricia reflects, “It was incredibly meaningful to know that every can used in the structure would be donated afterward. Being part of something that directly contributes to helping individuals and families in need made the experience even more powerful.”
Community members are encouraged to visit the Canstruction Frederick exhibit at Warehouse Cinemas to view the sculptures, cast their votes, and support this meaningful cause.
To vote for the Maryland CAN! Team (Noelker and Hull, Triad Engineering, and Morgan-Keller), visit: secure.qgiv.com/for/cans202/event/canstructionfrederick2026/
