In carved furniture, failure rarely originates from ornamentation itself. Structural collapse occurs when carving interrupts load-bearing logic.
"Carving is permitted only where structural load paths remain continuous."
01 // VECTORS
Load Paths
Forces travel through predefined paths—from contact surfaces into the ground. These must remain materially continuous.
- Vertical Compression: Direct paths through leg cores.
- Bending Resistance: Tension zones at span midpoints.
- Shear Transfer: Material continuity at joinery nodes.
02 // EXCLUSION
Non-Carvable Zones
Certain areas must remain materially intact regardless of aesthetic intent. These form the irreversible structural core.
- Leg root sections & floor-contact bases.
- Joint envelopes at mortise–tenon intersections.
- Primary frame rails under bending stress.
03 // INTEGRITY
Mandatory Cores
Even in highly ornamental furniture, the following elements must be dimensionally protected throughout operations.
- Load Cores: Inner mass carrying compression.
- Joint Volumes: Buffer zones around connections.
- Span Zones: Resisting creep and deflection.
04 // SCOPE
Applicable Categories
These protocols apply to specific furniture typologies where ornamentation risks compromising structural integrity.
- Architectural dining tables with carved legs.
- Console tables with slender supports.
- Framed furniture relying on leg–rail transfer.