Cliffhanger

This piece of “micro-architecture” was to have a simple, light, compact construction. The design is influenced by rope-fixing techniques used in mountaineering and by modern lightweight sports equipment. Two tubes fixed to the cliff face in the form of a “V” and two tubular cross-braces create a rigid triangulated structure. A plastic-mesh sheet stretched between the tubes provides a sitting/reclining deck. The “cliffhanger” is suspended from four cables fixed to a hook in the rock face and is anchored with cable stays below. To avoid unnecessary bending moments in the tubes, the cables are fixed to the four node points. A rope ladder, a sack for sleeping bags and food, and a protective sail against sun and rain also form part of the equipment.