This is what I used as my inspiration for this project. It’s called a tensegrity and is held up mostly by tension.However, it turns out that cardboard is hard to work with in that way, and my efforts to create a tensegrity stool resulted in this. I still use tension rather than compression, but the top plane doesn’t “float,” instead resting on the center pillar, as shown below:Here, the structure is supported by the tension of the tab pulling up on the back pillar when weight is placed on the stool.This is also an example of using tension rather than compression, intended to mimic the central rope of the tensegrity I used as inspiration.The main issue it has it that it is so cantilevered that it requires a huge base, and when the joint between the base and the pillar is stressed for too long it loses lots of structural integrity. I have a strong cardboard box that my laptop came in that would possibly make a better base, and if I had more time I would figure out how to attach it.Lastly, here is a (timer) picture of it miraculously holding my weight. The pillar bends down but does not actually touch the base.
Brian's 212 Understanding Architecture Section 