Over several decades, our understanding of development has improved through the use of both dynamic, high-resolution imaging methods as well as snap-shot, high-throughput omics approaches. In parallel, computational modelling has helped make sense of all this data. Nevertheless, modifying the genome to engineer predicted developmental outcomes remains a major challenge for the field. Re-engineering Symmetry Breaking in Development and Evolution (RESYDE) is a newly funded ERC Synergy project that aims to generate a predictive understanding of development such that we can engineer it, using the flower as a model system. Flowers are multi-organ systems that control the reproduction of over 250,000 plant species, many of which we depend on for survival. From a set of stem cells, four types of floral organs ultimately develop in a stereotypical arrangement, or ground-plan, that nevertheless varies across species. RESYDE aims to re-engineer the floral ground plan not only to gain a better understanding of its development but also, to better understand the evolution of floral diversity by engineering known evolutionary transitions. Our approach leverages each lab’s unique expertise, including findings from the Heisler lab that help to explain common features of plant architecture.