Tensegrity Table with Centre Magnets

The Kontax Tensegrity Table - with magnets

This elegant and minimalist tensegrity structure takes the form of a table, with impossibly thin flexible wires appearing to defy gravity in holding the top afloat. Attracting magnets held slightly apart take the place of the more conventional centre wire, enhancing the mystery of how the table is held up. A tensioning mechanism is built into the base to allow for perfect tensioning of the wires. Fret-worked arms enhance the floating look.

What is tensegrity?

Tensegrity is short for "tensional integrity". With a normal table the legs and top bear weight under compression. A tensegrity table works differently, with the parts in the structure being held in compression and tension. Rather than thick legs, strong thin wires are used to hold arms and plates in structural and tensional integrity, completely independent of gravity. This results in a structure that is stable and strong while also being lightweight and flexible. The thin wires make it visually striking, with the top section almost appearing to float in mid-air.

How does the magnet link work?

The magnets are held apart under attraction, they are trying to pull together. This means the lower magnet attached to the top arm is trying to pull itself upwards towards the upper magnet hanging from the bottom arm. Because the top arm is firmly fixed to the top plate any upwards force from the top arm is also exerted on the top plate. The three wires around the outside of the table are under tension and held taut, their length prevents the two magnets from ever touching each other and thus the table is held together under tensional integrity. Because the top plates are not rigidly connected to the bottom plates the tables will give a little jiggle when nudged.

Main features:

• 0.4mm diameter wires
• Neodymium magnets
• Attractive etched patterns
• Stabilising rubber feet
• Built in tensioning mechanism

Materials

• Stainless steel 7-strand woven wires and wire loops
• Copper wire crimps
• Anodised aluminium base and top
• Natural aluminium arms
• Stainless steel screws

Dimensions

• Base plate - 92mm diameter, 8mm thick (3.62" x 0.32")
• Top plate - 92mm diameter, 3mm thick (3.62" x 0.12")
• Wires - 0.4mmm diameter (2.75" x 0.015")
• Overall height - 130mm (5.11")

Kit

The table is supplied as a self-assembly kit.

Instructions

Click the image below for PDF assembly instructions for this table.