Hardwired: Modular Tensegrity Furniture
by Luke Bonanno
The primary presentation board displaying the Hardwired range developed for my major design project
The secondary presentation board conveying the features of the tensegrity side table and shelving
The functional appearance model of the tensegrity shelving made from form plywood and finished with beeswax polish
Heavy items were placed on each shelf to test the strength and tension of the model.
Project Description
For the major design project of my Bachelor of Product Design, I embarked on an exploratory project of defining an alternative joinery method for furniture assembly. Through multiple phases of research, testing, and prototyping, various aspects of progressive furniture design were identified as being legitimate elements for joinery and assembly. A modular approach was considered to encourage development of simple user assembly and disassembly and eventually flat-packable furniture. But the key factor and driving force of this concept was the possibility for tensegrity principles to be employed in an innovative way; tensegrity is an interesting approach to furniture that has only recently caught the attention of designers. Tensegrity is a concept that combines ‘tensile’ and ‘integrity’; it applies when a discontinuous set of compression elements are opposed and balanced by a continuous tensile force.
By incorporating the balanced vertical structure of common tensegrity models, I was able to use minimalistic, uniform pieces in a modular sense to assemble each of the furniture pieces designed as part of this capstone project. Stainless steel wiring was swaged to integrate within a tensegrity adjustment system that utilised fasteners for perfecting tension. The end result of this project was the design of a side table, desk and shelving system that each used basically designed modules to form functioning tensegrity furniture that could be assembled in under 10 minutes without the use of any permanent fixtures. This range of tensegrity furniture was named ‘Hardwired’ and will be developed beyond the conclusion of this project through a deeper exploration into functional modules that could be added to this system.
A rendering displaying the uniform components that are assembled to create the shelving model
A functional appearance model was also built for the tensegrity side table.
Bio
I pay great attention to detail from start to finish of my projects and a have a keen interest in the functional and aesthetic workings of the furniture, automotive, and audio technology industries. I pride myself on my ability to quickly adapt to new spaces and build on the foundation of knowledge developed through my design education.
Throughout my Product Design education at both UTS and the Design Centre Enmore, I have constantly challenged and pushed myself to diversify and experiment with areas of design that I am unfamiliar with. This has given me invaluable experience in researching and designing for prosthetic, automotive, furniture, hygiene, musical, commercial, experience, and hardware products.
With my entire career ahead of me, I look to apply my knowledge and creative skills to a new challenge within an exciting industry that will allow me to develop a unique brand and design personality.
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