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Construct an Origamic Architecture Card
On this page, you can learn how to cut and fold a 90 degree Origamic Architecture Card from a pattern that you've downloaded from this page, another page, or a book.  For a printable version of this page, click HERE.
WHAT YOU NEED

There are only a few essential items you need to construct your model but there are several more you can buy to make your models nicer and to make construction easier. Optional items have a * by them.

-Cutting mat (or some layers of newspaper)

-Xacto knife

-Metal edged ruler

-Paper (preferably thick)

-Stylus pen ( or a blunt point, like a needle or compass point)

-Tweezers (for small folds) *

-Tape*

 

 

PROCESS

 

Before you start... Some O.A. lingo:

VALLEY FOLD: a fold made towards you, represented by a broken line on diagrams on this particular page and by a blue line on the other diagrams on this site.

RIDGE FOLD: a fold made away from you, represented by a broken and dotted line on diagrams on this particular page and by a red line on the other diagrams on this site.

CUT: a cut in the paper, represented by a line on diagrams.

 

PART 1 - TRANSFERRING THE PATTERN

If you want your cards to look absolutely clean, with no marks whatsoever upon them, you can transfer your pattern from the pattern sheet you print out to your other paper. If you do not want to, skip to Part 2.

STEP 1. AFFIXING

The first thing you will need to do is affix your pattern sheet to your clean paper. To do this, line up the pattern sheet and the clean sheet on your cutting mat, (the pattern sheet being on top) and affix to the mat with some tape.

STEP 2. MARKING THE POINTS

To know where you're cutting on your clean sheet, you must know where the lines are. Use your stylus pen to mark corners and contact points. Also, you may want to completely trace the circles if there are any on your model.

 

PART 2 - CREATING THE MODEL

 

STEP 1. CUTTING

If you followed Part 1, cut the lines according to your points using the pattern sheet as a guide. If you didn't follow Part 1, and are using your pattern sheet directly, cut along the cutting lines. For all cutting, use an Xacto knife and make sure to use a ruler for all straight lines.

STEP 2. CREASING

It is necessary to crease your fold lines to get them to fold cleanly. Use a stylus pen to do this. Make sure to use a ruler.

 STEP 3. FOLD THE MODEL

The last step in making your model "pop up" is to fold it. Before completely folding the model, fold the ridge and valley fold lines in their appropriate directions as a preliminary step. The model should start to take form. Then, complete the folding and fold the form so it lies in half.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIP: It is a good idea to use thick paper for your model so it will hold its form better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIP: Be very careful with your cutting knife. Put it away when you are finished using it.

 

 

 TIP: For very nice folds, crease the ridge fold lines on the top of the paper and the valley fold lines on the bottom.

 

 TIP: Before folding the model completely in half, make sure all folds are right or else you may end up with folds in wrong places.