In the heart of Santa Fe, at the meeting point of St. Francis Drive, Cerrillos Road, and the Railrunner tracks, a quiet but remarkable study is taking place.
It is a story of nature and technology, of survival and adaptation—one that begins with the humble Gunnison prairie dog.
With the help of the Artec Leo 3D scanner, provided by ARTS Lab, UNM researches are capturing the intricate topography of a prairie dog colony, digitally mapping the winding burrows that lie just beneath the city’s surface. Catherine Harris, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture, leads this effort with a simple yet profound goal: to better understand how these small creatures shape, and are shaped by, the urban environment.
Beneath the pavement, beneath the hum of passing trains and cars, exists a world few have seen. This scaled 3D model will reveal the hidden architecture of prairie dog homes, offering insights into their resilience and the delicate balance between wildlife and human expansion. It is a testament to the ingenuity of nature—and the curiosity of those who seek to understand it.
And so, the work continues. Bit by bit, scan by scan, a clearer picture emerges of the unseen world below.
Stay tuned—there is always more to discover.
Beyond Gaming: Unity’s Impact Across Industries Tuesday September 16, 4pm MDT -> Webinar – Register Here <- Explore how Unity is transforming fields far beyond video games. This webinar features real-world case studies demonstrating how Unity is used in...
ARTSLab hosted an illuminating evening with Elaine Buckholtz, a light installation artist whose work transforms architecture and landscape into quiet spectacles of wonder.
Join award-winning choreographer Kelsey Paschich for an inspiring artist talk exploring the fusion of dance and technology at UNM ARTSLab.