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Saltatur: Innovative Long-Span Furniture

Masoud Akbarzadeh's Saltatur is a groundbreaking long-span table that demonstrates innovative research in the design and fabrication of a prefab, discrete, spatial composite structure. The design is a three-dimensional compression and tension combined system of forces, inspired by the works of Gaudi and the Greco-Roman wrestling technique, Salto.

The structural form of Saltatur extends Gaudi's designs by exhibiting a unique balance of tension and compression forces in 3D space. It features a spatial, compression-only concrete body, post-tensioning steel rods, and an ultra-thin glass structure on its top, minimizing the volume of construction materials and reducing the carbon footprint while preserving necessary mass for structural performance and specific architectural detailing.

The long-span table was developed using 3D/polyhedral graphic statics, with a very particular control over the magnitude of the horizontal forces in the system, resulting in a structure held in compression by tension ties at the top and bottom with no horizontal reactions at the supports.

The Saltatur measures 195 cm (W) x 308 cm (L) x 90 cm (H) and was realized over a 2-year period at the Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania. The design team includes Masoud Akbarzadeh, Ali Tabatabaei Ghomi, Mohammad Bolhassani, Mostafa Akbari, Alireza Seyedahmadian, Konstantinos Papalexiou, Jingchu Sun, and Hanqing Yao.

Masoud Akbarzadeh's Saltatur has been awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category, showcasing outstanding expertise and innovation in design.

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