KINETIC SCULPTURE

Sponsored by the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden for their Children’s Play Area, this project challenged me and two fellow engineering students to design and build a wind-driven kinetic sculpture that was free-standing, corrosion-resistant, environmentally conscious, and durable—all within a $1,000 budget. Our final design features California’s state flower, the poppy, with a butterfly emerging from its centerpiece.

The poppy was hand-formed from galvanized steel sheets, a cost-effective alternative to marine-grade steel. Each petal was shaped using an English wheel and bead roller to create both strength and smooth, organic contours. To increase corrosion resistance and visual impact, the petals were coated in a vibrant orange automotive paint generously donated by a Cuesta College student.

The sculpture’s motion relies on two ceramic ball bearings, selected for their non-corrosive properties and exceptionally smooth rotation. A Schedule 40 shaft forms the main structural support, ensuring long-term stability. The butterfly is positioned at a dynamic 45-degree angle and mounted using a Klee Klamp and support shaft, giving the piece a sense of motion even when the wind is still.