Tensegrity Table with Centre Wire

The Kontax Tensegrity Table

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. 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.

Main features:

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

Materials

• Stainless steel 7-strand woven wires
• 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.