Octet Truss Screen

The archetypal element to shape space in the garden is the screen. Traditional screens are two-dimensional constructions. Three-dimensional screens require less material, enable sculpted shapes and a richer planting scheme. They also touch the ground very lightly with minimum disturbance to the soil. The modular units of an octet truss are alternating octahedra and tetrahedra, thus it is a truss with omnitriangulation, which results in a highly efficient space frame configuration. Generally octet trusses are constructed of struts all with equal length, in order to simplify construction.

However, with my simple universal joint the strut lengths can vary, allowing easy low tech fabrication. I do not see these minimal octet trusses as sculptures. Their job is to support, train and display plants and thus they become invisible, analogous to the skeletons in animals.

Building blocks – octahedron and tetrahedron – of the octet truss. This example has five different strut lengths.
Octet truss screen with a chamfered top edge.
Octet truss screen on an inclined ground.
Octet truss forming a curved screen.
Octet truss forming a curved screen.
Octet truss forming a screen with a right angle.

Building blocks - octahedron and tetrahedron - of the octet truss. This example has five different strut lengths.Octet truss screen with a chamfered top edge.