Robby Cuthbert is an artist and designer based out of Palo Alto, California. After studying sculpture and architecture at Williams College, Cuthbert now creates furniture and sculptures under his own studio, Robby Cuthbert Design. On his website, Cuthbert says that he uses tools such as CNC machines, laser cutters and 3D printers to assist in the iteration process.
In the series of furniture items below, Cuthbert uses tension wires to hold pieces of furniture together. No screws or glue are used, just opposing forces of tension to achieve stability in each design. In a recent post on reddit, Cuthbert elaborates on the process:
“For the process of removing the slack, it’s all done by feel. I have some pliers that I use to pull the cables tight and a pair of crimpers that I use to clamp copper sleeves down around the cables and hold them in place. I started out making a bunch of abstract sculptures with this method, so I got a lot of practice and a good feel for it before I went on to making practical things.
The surprising part is, because there are so many cables, none of them has to be pulled that tight. If you push on any of them, it doesn’t feel like they’re under that much tension. It’s just that the added effect of them all creates a totally stable system. The cable is 1/16” galvanized steel wire rope.” [Source]
Many of the items below are available for purchase. You can find much more information at the links below.
1. Suspension Shelf
2. Contour Coffee Table
3. Peering Lamp
4. Tension Chair
5. Tension Coffee Table
6. Contour Lamp
7. Tension Coffee Table
8. Signature Lamp
9. Tension Coffee Table
10. Tension Patio Chair
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