Exploring Infrastructure Solutions through Bio-Inspired, Adaptable, Structural Art

The deficiencies in safety and functional obsolescence of U.S. infrastructure call for innovative solutions to end this crisis. Biomimicry, the imitation of nature's patterns and strategies, may be one approach toward adaptable infrastructure that is continually safe and relevant. This paper describes a project-based course that has been developed to engage students in exploring bioinspired, adaptable solutions through structural art. Students work together in an interdisciplinary team to learn about current problems in and potential solutions to our infrastructure crisis. This project culminates in a sculpture that is designed, constructed, and presented by the students to illustrate their understanding and proposed solution to these issues, where the objective of the structure itself is to increase public awareness of bioinspired and adaptable infrastructure solutions.