Architecture, interior design, engineering and technology are brought together on display today, as students will be able to interact with prototypes at the Adaptable Systems gallery.

Adaptable Systems has been a concept in development at the School of Design and Construction ever since the creation of the Integrated Design Research (IDR) studio. It is here where students of several disciplines and passions are able to turn bright ideas into reality.

For example, the ROBOBBLE is a piece of interactive art that uses robotics, different fabrics and the imagination of the user to create unique shapes and curves that add up to a centerpiece in the room. This, as well as more than 15 prototypes of interactive and adaptable mechanisms will be on display this afternoon.

The ROBOBBLE was the outcome of a collaboration between the interior design and construction departments and the WSU robotics club. Saleh Kalantari, assistant professor in the School of Design and Construction and designer of the ROBOBBLE and developer of the IDR studio, believes the IDR studio is an important piece to the development of student creations.

“Students are able to do some experiments that lead to more than just designing a building,” Kalantari said. “They do some exploration as well as push the boundaries with technologies.”

A large part of their progression in adaptable systems has been the creation of the smart city ideas that were implemented in Spokane’s university district last fall. More than 40 WSU graduate and undergraduate students worked with the University District Development Association and the Spokane Smart City Technology Accelerator Group last semester to create interactive and data-driven decision making environments.

Along with the prototype inventions, data from last semester’s work in Spokane will be on display during the Adaptive Systems Gallery. Through this exhibit Pullman and Spokane focus on how different disciplines can work together to create something new.

One person who holds this understanding is assistant professor Mona Ghandi, who works beside Kalantari. Ghandi has seen firsthand the results of interdisciplinary thinking, and wants to see the college grow in this aspect.

“The focus is on research, collaboration, innovation and creativity,” Ghandi said. “And we are satisfied with the results.”

Examples of how collaboration between majors can benefit students are on display at the Adaptive Systems gallery, including a robotic infused pieces of art from a student who knew nothing about robotics.

The Adaptive Systems Gallery opens at 4:30 p.m. on the main floor of Carpenter Hall and is open through Friday. Wednesday night offers opportunities to talk to those involved in creating the pieces.

Reporting by Samuel Martinez