AiM Final Project:

Prototype Pollinator
Habitat
Project by: Kobe Phillip & Kirk Tvenstrup
The combination of art and technology
in our design originated from
experiments with laser cutting. We
found that altering a pattern normally
utilized for lamp fixtures could be
redesign for pollinators.
Pollinators, such as butterflies, require
at least 1/8” inch gaps for their folded
wingspan to fly through a structure.
Hence, we design a living hinge model
that incorporated this requirement and
could be easily placed together.

Art & Technology

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Prototype Pollinator Habitat 2
Modeling & Low
Fidelity
Utilizing Paper and Cardboard we
modeled our initial ideas how to
integrate a pollinator structure within
a living sculpture. In theory the
sculpture was designed to create
movement to the piece, while it had
plants and native flora to attract the
pollinators to the new space.
Initial Sample of Living Hinge Design

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Prototype Pollinator Habitat 3
 Medium Fidelity
The medium fidelity portion of the project was the creation
of our first full-size living hinge structure with their
adjustable tabs. We designed a small (H) structure that
could be used to keep two hinge plates together without
any part of the structure being damaged. This allowed us
to build, and unbuild the structure easily, returning it to the
flat state. This technology could be important for the
transferability of the pollinator habitat between spaces.
The living hinge we developed resulted in a ½” inch width
gap for the butterflies, which was more than the 1/8” inch
requirement we started with. Additionally, we found that
we could create a diameter of 16 ½” inches utilizing two 2ft
by 1ft panels, allowing us to accurate portray a spacious
yet compact column habitat.

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Prototype Pollinator Habitat 4
High Fidelity

The Final working prototype of the pollinator habitat included two layers of laser
cut living hinges, alongside the living sculpture. The sculpture surrounding the
column, gets increasingly higher, allowing for flow of water and plants from peak
to ground layer. The chicken wire was designed to curve at the tops to create
tubes similar in structure to pitcher plants to mimic natural patterns. The spiral
layers were inspired by an insects need to reach high places through simple
paths. As plants such as lavender, cilantro, and other native flora grow on the
structure the variety of height and smells will create beneficial niches for

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different types of pollinators to live within the column.
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/shorts/rgpjcMuGth4?feature=share

Prototype Pollinator Habitat 5

Project Expansion Expansion includes:

Painting our laser- Coating/sealing the

Our project has multiple cut sculpture wood

routes of expansion as
we continue to make
Planting flowers
progress on this concept Cutting more wood
around the
panels
for the Botanical Gardens sculpture

Community Garden at
USF.
Adding a living

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element to the soil

Prototype Pollinator Habitat 6

Bill of Materials
Material Quantity Price Total
¼” Pine Board 5 $11.00 $55.00
1ft x 2ft
1/8” Craft Board 1 $16.00 $16.00
4ft x 4ft
Garden Soil 15 $8.97 $134.55
Chicken Wire 1 $49.91 $49.91
4ft x 150 ft
Clay Pot 1 $52.00 $52.00
Moss 4 $5.00 $20.00
Total Cost - - $327.46

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Thank you to the JGHC Community Garden for helping us Fund this Project
Prototype Pollinator Habitat 7
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Prototype Pollinator Habitat 8