Tensegrity Coffee Table

This was an individual project which was completed after on and off work over two years. I was intensely inspired by tension and it's capabilities to support loads, and after some research I decided to undertake the construction and design of a tensegrity coffee table. The below images are from the finalized prototype now sitting in our family's living room, and while I cleared it off for photos, the table can comfortably hold cups magazines, papers, and a laptop or two without failure. The most interesting parts of this project were the realization of the design through both traditional and modern fabrication. While the central support post was chiseled out, the corner pieces were laser-cut and hand assembled. What I really wish to convey with this piece is how something even as commonplace as plywood can be transformed into something beautiful through careful design.