Credits and Resources:
Text-Only Instructions: Lindy van der Merwe - Copyright 2025
accessorigami.com
For visuals and more information on these and many other fascinating models, visit Origami Heaven, the page of David Mitchell at
origamiheaven.com
Paper to be used:
For the cube from masu boxes, you will need 4 squares of the same size.
For the cuboid from magazine boxes, you will need 4 rectangles, such as magazine pages, A4 or similar.
In both cases, thicker paper or thin cardstock is recommended.
Steps: 10 for each model.
Folding level: Easy/Beginner
Description: This is a tutorial for making two different modulars - either four open masu boxes or four open magazine boxes are folded and then slotted together to form the finished models, which are very useful, closed boxes.
A similar joining method is used for both models.
The masu boxes form a closed, three-dimensional shape with 6 faces, 12 edges and 8 vertices or corners, which makes it a cube or a regular hexahedron.
The magazine boxes will produce a cuboid. In essence, a cuboid is like a 3D rectangle, just as a cube is a 3D square.
Note that, interestingly, for both the cube and the cuboid, Four faces will be made up of two rectangles while the two remaining, opposite faces will be composed of four small squares that have been formed into a rotating pattern, like a pinwheel motif.
When you have become familiar with assembling the units, you might like to try and use more than one color when designing your modular creations.
Two or even four different colors will make an interesting display.
Keep in mind that although these models are fairly secure, they are made up of different units, so they will not be as strong as a cube or cuboid folded from a single sheet of paper.
If large squares and rectangles are used, these boxes are not only nice-looking, but also very practical and useful as gift boxes.
MODEL 1 - CUBE FROM 4 MASU BOXES
PHASE 1: CREATING THE UNITS:
To form the units for this cube, fold 4 masu boxes, making sure that the starting squares are all of the same size.
Fold only four open boxes - no lids are needed.
You can find instructions at the link below:
https://www.accessorigami.com/2021/08/mdl0008-origami-traditional-masu-or.html
PHASE 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR MODEL
Step 1
Place your 4 masu boxes in a row on a table.
They should all be with their open sides facing the ceiling.
Step 2
Mentally number the boxes from 1 on the left to 4 on the right.
Step 3
Tilt box 1 to the right so it stands on its side.
The open side of the box will face to the right.
Step 4
Keeping box 2 in the normal, flat position, move it to the left, all the way until it is inside box 1.
Step 5
Hold the first two boxes together for the next step.
Step 6
Tilt box 3 to the left so it stands on its side.
The open side of the box will face to the left.
Step 7
Lift box 3 up, keeping it upright, and then place it inside box 2.
It should fill the right half of Box 2.
Step 8
Hold the three boxes together for the last step.
Step 9
Pick up box 4 and turn it over so the open side is facing the table.
Step 10
Create an opening between box 1 and 3 and insert box 4 coming from the left.
Box 4 should slide inside box 3 and also over the top of box 1 again.
Result: Once each box has been placed inside another and also hooked over the adjoining box, the circle will be complete and the cube will hold together, forming an interesting-looking closed box.
MODEL 2 - CUBOID FROM 4 MAGAZINE BOXES
PHASE 1: CREATING THE UNITS:
To form the units for this cuboid, fold 4 magazine boxes, making sure that the starting rectangles are all of the same size.
Your magazine boxes have to be the broader, wider kind, not the narrow, longer version of the model.
Fold only four open boxes - no lids are needed.
You can find instructions at the link below:
https://www.accessorigami.com/2021/08/mdl0010-origami-rectangular-boxtray.html
PHASE 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR MODEL
Step 1
Place your 4 magazine boxes in a row on a table.
They should all be placed with their long sides at the left and right and with their open sides facing the ceiling.
Keep all the boxes in this orientation while joining them in the next steps.
Step 2
Mentally number the boxes from 1 on the left to 4 on the right.
Step 3
Tilt box 1 to the right so it stands on its side.
The open side of the box will face to the right.
Step 4
Keeping box 2 in the normal, flat position, move it to the left, all the way until it is inside box 1.
Step 5
Hold the first two boxes together for the next step.
Step 6
Tilt box 3 to the left so it stands on its side.
The open side of the box will face to the left.
Step 7
Lift box 3 up, keeping it upright, and then place it inside box 2.
It should fill the right half of Box 2.
Step 8
Hold the three boxes together for the last step.
Step 9
Pick up box 4 and turn it over so the open side is facing the table.
Step 10
Create an opening between box 1 and 3 and insert box 4 coming from the left.
Box 4 should slide inside box 3 and also over the top of box 1 again.
Result: Once each box has been placed inside another and also hooked over the adjoining box, the circle will be complete and the cuboid will hold together, forming an interesting-looking closed box.
Making origami accessible through text-based instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe - March 2025
This text copyright 2025 by accessorigami.com and the author.
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