In the spring of 2017, an interdisciplinary team of undergraduates at UC Davis submitted a proposal to SOFA Chicago CONNECT, a national competition. The students’ proposal, Beneath, called attention to land subsidence, the phenomenon of land sinking (in some cases up to 30 feet) as a result of human activity and exacerbated by climate change. This installation by four undergraduate women, Victoria Chau, Sierra Kennedy, Jessica Jade Lam and Sandra Bae represents the thoughtful ways in which design can call attention to the complex challenges and model new ways forward. The team demonstrated incredible flexibility and resourcefulness. The 24′ x 24′ installation weighed approximately 70lbs and was able to be transported by plane.

Tom Maiorana and Jiayi Young acted as faculty advisors for the project.