Designer/Creator: Unknown/Traditional/Lindy van der Merwe
Description and more information:
This model is a three-dimensional open box. The bottom and sides are square and are, in fact, 3 sides of a cube. The top and front is open or folded back into triangles, making it a cymmetrical, but unusual, modular box.
It is created by folding very simple units and assembled by sliding triangular flaps into each other and into square pockets.
Looking at the box from the front, it will have a triangular opening. The bottom, left and right sides furthest away from you will look like one corner of a cube.
I have used this box to display a soft toy, like a bear or a dog. The toy will be able to sit upright and will be visible from the front and sides.
Folding level: Beginner/Intermediate
Paper to be used: Note squares will work well for this project, allowing you to work with different colors; however, thicker paper like construction paper or thin cardstock might be a bit easier to use, especially for younger folders or beginners.
Apart from making a nice display, if folded from thicker paper, this model makes a nice sturdy open box that can be used for any occasion or for organizing around your home.
You will need 5 squares for the box.
Instructions:
All folds should be made as valley folds.
Phase 1: Folding the first unit
Step 1
If using two-sided origami paper, lay your paper with the patterned or colored side down before starting to fold.
Place the square down so that it forms a diamond shape.
Step 2
Fold the bottom point up to meet the top point to form a two-layered triangle with its closed edge nearest you.
Crease and leave folded.
Step 3
Now fold both the left and right points of your model upwards and inwards to reach the top point of the triangle.
Make sure the flaps line up neatly on each side.
Crease and leave folded.
Result: There will now be 2 triangular flaps lying on top of a diamond or square shape.
Each triangle has 2 layers, forming a pocket on the outside of the shape at the top left and right of the square unit.
The flaps will tend to stand up by themselves at more or less a 90 degree angle, which is exactly what you would like to have for this unit.
This completes the basic folded unit.
Phase 2: Fold more similar units
Repeat steps 1 to 3 4 more times so you have 5 similarly shaped units to work with.
Phase 3: Assembling your model
Explanation:
First look at one of your folded units.
*1 It has a central square or diamond shape with a flap on two sides. It resembles the head of a cat, with the square being the face of the cat and the triangular flaps are like the ears, but instead of lying flat on the table, the ears are standing at a 90 degree angle in relation to the face.
*2 The flaps of each unit are next to each other and originate from one of the corners of the square.
*3 Notice that the square itself as well as all the flaps that are standing up, are also pockets. You can gently open them a little to confirm this.
*4 Also note that if a unit is placed with its closed point furthest away from you, both pockets and the central square can be accessed from the outside.
*5 So, in the instructions that follow, you will be working with, on the one hand, -the two-layered central square and, on the other, what we have termed the two flaps or pockets of each unit.
*6 All the loose flaps of the units should stand up at a 90 degree angle to the central square, since this is how your box will be formed into a three-dimensional shape.
*7 To help with the assembly, each unit will have 3 parts, which will be referred to below.
Part A is the large diamond or square. Since it has 2 layers, it is also a large pocket.
If Part A is flat on the table with the opening of the large pocket facing you, Part b is the smaller triangular pocket on the left and Part c will be a similar triangular pocket on the right.
Remember to always orient your units in this way and carefully note the position of the different parts for the assembly that follows:
Step 4
Place the first unit like a diamond, so Part A is flat on the table with its open pocket facing you.
Parts B and C, the triangular pockets, will stand up at a 90 degree angle and will be next to each other furthest away from you.
Step 5
Take the second unit and place it like the first, with Part A flat on the table, but turn it so the open pocket of Part A faces away from you.
This means that Parts B and C of unit 2 will be standing up straight nearest you.
Step 6
Now, open the 2 layers of Part A of the first unit and slide Part A of Unit 2 into it all the way.
Result: Both units are squares, so they will fit perfectly, forming a floor for your box made up of 4 layers.
You will also notice that the floor, which is like a flat diamond or square shape, has 4 triangles that are standing up on all 4 sides of the square.
Let's number these triangles as L1, the left triangle nearest you, L2, R1 and R2, with R2 being the one on the right, furthest away from you.
You will now work on the sides of the box, first the left and then the right.
Keep in mind that the sides are formed the same way, but in opposite directions.
Step 7
The left side:
Before you can place unit 3, first read this step carefully, so you have the unit in the correct position.
Take Unit 3 and open the flaps as far as possible. First place it flat on your folding surface to the left of the model, turning it with Part A at the top right, part c will be on the left and part B will be nearest you.
Next, tilt the unit to the right so it is standing upright, like a wall. Hold it in this position.
Keeping the unit open almost all the way, lift it up for the next step and insert it from above so it will cover or fit over the flaps that are on the left side (L1 and L2).
Put in another way, place the triangle nearest you over L1 and the square goes over L2.
The left side of your model will start to form with a triangle nearest you and a square furthest away. Both these parts will stand upright at an angle on the left side of the model.
One flap (Part C) will hang loose at this point.
Step 8
The right side:
Before you can place unit 4, first read this step carefully, so you have the unit in the correct position.
Take Unit 4 and open the flaps as far as possible. First place it flat on your folding surface to the right of the model, turning it with Part A at the top left, part B will be on the right and part C will be nearest you.
Next, tilt the unit to the left so it is standing upright, like a wall. Hold it in this position.
Keeping the unit open almost all the way, lift it up for the next step and insert it from above so it will cover or fit over the 2 flaps that are on the right side (R1 and R2).
Put in another way, place the triangle nearest you over R1 and the square goes over R2.
The right side of your model will start to form with a triangle nearest you and a square furthest away. Both these parts will stand upright at an angle on the right side of the model.
One flap (Part B) will hang loose at this point.
Result: The sloping front and sides of your box have been formed.
Step 9
Notice that at the top of the shape, there are 2 loose triangular pockets, Part C of Unit 3 and Part B of Unit 4.
Tuck one of the triangles inside the other all the way, to form the roof of your box.
Step 10
Your box is almost complete.
You will notice that where its 2 square panels meet at the back, there is still a vertical opening.
The last unit, unit 5, will be used to close this gap.
Step 11
Lay unit 5 flat on your folding surface with part A at the bottom left, part B at the top and part C on the right.
Step 12
Fold part B toward you so it is on top of part A. Hold it like this for the last step.
Step 13
Bring unit 5 upright and approaching the model from the back, insert it underneath the flaps you will find there.
Part C will go under the right flap and parts A and B, now folded together, will go under the left flap.
Step 14 (Optional)
You will notice that the square sides of the box have loose flaps. If you do not like these flaps, you can use mountain folds to get rid of them, or once you understand how the units are put together, you can fold one layer of each central square to the inside or outside. This will create triangular flaps on both sides of the box instead of the smooth finish that is described above.
So, if you want to get rid of the flaps at the end, fold the loose points of the 3 square panels first as valley folds and then reverse those folds into mountain folds by tucking the points under. Do this gently so that you don't undo the folds you have made.
Step 15
Placement
For display purposes, the model can be turned so its open corner is facing you. It will then have triangles on the sides and at the top, forming a partial roof for the box.
As a variation, remember that you can also turn your box upsidedown so that it will have an overhanging roof or you can place the box with its opening facing the table, which will give it the appearance of a cube that has been turned onto one of its points.
Making origami accessible to visually impaired crafters through text instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, August 2023
This text copyright 2024 by accessorigami.com
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