Thursday 4 March 2010

Tensegrity Model Making

This model was inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s theory of ‘Tensegrity’ or tensional integrity which is a property of structures with an integrity based on a balance between tension and compression components. It differs from the classic Tensegrity models as the compression and tension components are joined at both ends, creating their own individual element. Three of these elements are connected, and are again connected with other groups of three creating hexagons. These hexagons are then connected to other hexagons. All connections are based on the compression component attaching to the tension component of another element and when compression is applied to various compression components the structure is forced into a form. The tension elements are pulled tight, forming a very strong and adaptive structure which could be used as a skin, or as a primary structure.

(Photos by Ben Northover)

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