Inflatable Tensegrity Structures

PrizeWinner in Architectural Design / Small Architecture, Winner in Architectural Design / Misc. Architecture
Project locationAtlanta, Georgia
University/SchoolGeorgia Insitute of Technology
Lead ArchitectMichael Koliner
Design TeamJonathan Dessi-Olive, James Case and Vinay Teja Meda

Tensegrities are a highly efficient form of construction, but are scarcely used in architecture due to their difficulty of construction. This work replaces rigid compression struts with low-pressure pneumatic members to build a minimum weight structure with significant global volume change before and after it is deployed. Presented is a prototype with a commonly known geometry in an effort to demonstrate the level of precision that is possible with such a system. It will culminate into a pavilion-scale inflatable-tensegrity-structure.