Magical Flotation

Tensegrity is a structural system proposed by Buckminster Fuller in the 1950s that is composed of pin joints of straight members susceptible to compressive and tensile stresses. This principle was applied to the ceiling material of the cafe. For the cafe, American cypress, known for its lightness, strength, and processability, was used as the compression element, while durable and reliable stainless-steel wire was used as the tension element. The system would collapse the instant there were any deviations in the three-dimensional positioning; therefore, the length of the wires was precisely adjusted using ARAKAWA GRIP to express this delicate and magical sense of flotation.
The bold and solid American cypress appeared to play the central figure at first glance, while the thin and delicate wire played a behind-the-scenes role. Nevertheless, both materials complement each other structurally and conceptually. As such, the manner in which each material in a subordinate-subordinateelationship is presented to complement one
another is unique to our design technique.