Tensegrity

Tensegrity is an architectural principle in which compressive and tensile forces are balanced to create static structures. The word is an amalgamation of tension and integrity.

I became interested in tenesgrity in 2013 and have been building physical structures and developing methods to simulate them ever since. Tensegrity is not typically employed in architecture, though there are a few examples. More commonly, tensegrity manifests in sculptures. Kenneth Snelson is perhaps the best known creator of tensegrity structures, and either created or played a pivotal role in the development of the concept.

A tensegrity sculpture
Gallery of Sculptures
Computer graphic of a tensegrity sculpture
Gallery of Simulations
Picture of a knot tied in rope
Constructing Tensegrities