Tentsion

Temporary Hikers Shelter

Simple, Beautiful, Affordable, Easy To provide a structure with all the above requirements, I turned to the insights of Bukminster Fuller on the relationship between ten- sion and compression. Compression defies gravity best, while tension distributes loads best.

Using thin plywood sheets sewn together, the structure is in constant tension between the bent wood and string stitching. The resulting shape is both functional, providing a fire place, surrounding seating and a sleeping platform behind. As well as esthetic with its natural cen- tenary curves.

Tentsion is also sustainable; us- ing formaldehyde free plywood, rough cut lumber, and natural fi- ber rope. Left alone in the woods, Tentsion would decompose into soil. This was a student project.