The first ever prototype frame for the QuaDror being made in the MetaLab in Texas
The first ever prototype frame for the QuaDror being made in the MetaLab in Texas
(Image credit: TBC)

We are the first to admit that when it comes to explaining ‘space truss geometry’, a picture is worth a thousand words. Maybe even more. So perhaps it's best you take a look at the pictures and videos for this story first and then come back to me.

Close up view of a hand positioning a small geometric shape on a table

(Image credit: TBC)

Watch a video of Dror demonstrating how Quadror works

A man stands in front of a tower of tiles

(Image credit: TBC)

Watch a video of Dror building a wall using the Quadror

Are you back? Good.

Over the last few years, the American designer Dror Benshetrit and his studio has established itself as real Wallpaper* favourite with work that combines technical and engineering ingenuity with a proper conviction that looks matter.

And that certainly holds true with his QuaDror system

Four years ago Benshetrit came up with an apparently very simple piece of engineering; two interlocking members – pieces of wood cut in a particular way – that could fall apart but stay together in a unique and very supportive way. Benshetrit soon realised that he had something potentially revolutionary on his hands – real structural strength achieved very simply. He spent the next four years thoroughly testing his design and now has a patented system that can be applied to everything from trestle tables to temporary housing, sound barriers to seductive lighting.

He has just launched the system at Design Indaba in Cape Town with an emphasis on the potential for cheap and easy-build kit homes for developing countries or to be used in disaster relief. But Benshetrit is now looking for design and architecture partners to put QuaDror to use in all sorts of remarkable ways.

Group of men lifting the unique space truss geometry - QuaDror

The unique space truss geometry - QuaDror - is made from the assembly of four identical L-shaped pieces, either thin resulting in a trestle structure, or thick resulting in a solid panel.

(Image credit: TBC)

Group of men lifting the unique space truss geometry - QuaDror

The collapsible system allows for rapid assembly and a transition from closed and flat to open and self-standing

(Image credit: TBC)

QuaDror geometric framework

QuaDror is a new space truss geometry that unfolds manifold design initiatives and can adapt to various conditions and configurations

(Image credit: TBC)

Example of Quadror used in an architectural building

The unique structure can adapt to a variety of conditions and configurations and be used in a number of different ways, including in architecture

(Image credit: TBC)

Another example of a potential Quadror building

Another example of a potential Quadror building

(Image credit: TBC)

A Quadror wall

A Quadror wall

(Image credit: TBC)

The Quadror system being used for a bridge

The Quadror system being used for a bridge

(Image credit: TBC)

Quadror system being used as a barrier

as a barrier

(Image credit: TBC)

Quadror system being used as as a villa

as a villa

(Image credit: TBC)

Quadror system being used as a trestle table

as a trestle table

(Image credit: TBC)

Quadror system being used as a pop-up structure

as a pop-up structure

(Image credit: TBC)

Quadror system being used as an easy-assemble dwelling

as an easy-assemble dwelling

(Image credit: TBC)

Quadror system being used as a pavillion

as a pavillion

(Image credit: TBC)

Quadror made out of books

Further experimentations with the Quadror system in the studio include this Quadror made out of books

(Image credit: TBC)

Quadror built out of wood into a sculpture

and Quadror built out of wood into a sculpture

(Image credit: TBC)

A watercolour of the QuaDror system used in the Guggenheim

A watercolour of the QuaDror system used in the Guggenheim 

(Image credit: TBC)