Natural materials– such as wood, bone, and skin –are composites of living cells, effector biomolecules, and a variety of polymeric scaffolds. The living, autonomous nature of these natural composite matters realizes emergent properties, such as self-regulation, adaptation to various environmental changes, and the capacity for wound healing. In order to accomplish such complex biological tasks, 3-dimensional hierarchical organization and morphological heterogeneity are required. We see this in bone as it provides structural support, serves as a mineral reservoir, and nurtures hematopoietic stem cells at the same time. We are developing a platform to create 3D patterns of microbes and monitor their communication, response, and adaptation as a group, and engineer synthetic microbial consortia with emergent functions.