Origami Heaven

A paperfolding paradise

The website of writer and paperfolding designer David Mitchell

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Versatile Modules
 
A selection of modules that can be used to make a wide range of modular forms.
 
 
 
  Name: The Sonobe Module aka the Limping Seagull module

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from squares using standard folding geometry.

Designer / Date: Mitsonobu Sonobe, c1965.

Forms: Cubes, cube combinations and silverhedra.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: The Corner-pocket Sonobe Module or the Tomoko Unit

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from squares using standard folding geometry.

Designer / Date: Probably Tomoko Fuse, 1980s.

Forms: Cubes, cube combinations and silverhedra.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: The A4 Rhombic Unit or Nick Robinson's Rhombic Parallelogram Module is a direct analogue of the Corner-pocket Sonobe module but folded from a 1:sqrt2 or silver rectangle.

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from silver rectangles using 109.28/70.32 folding geometry.

Designer / Date: Nick Robinson, 1986.

Forms: Rhombic polyhedra, compound rhombic polyhedra, other irregular convex polyhedra and pimpled and dimpled forms based on deltahedra.

Diagrams: In Mathematical Origami - Tarquin Publications - ISBN 1-899618-18-X.

 
  Name: The Abe Module

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from bronze rectangles using 120/60 degree folding geometry.

Designer / Date: Probably Hisashi Abe, 1980s.

Forms: Deltahedra.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: The Terada Module

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from bronze rectangles using 120/60 degree folding geometry.

Designer / Date: Norishige Terada, 1980s.

Forms: Deltahedra.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: Letterbox modules

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from squares using standard folding geometry.

Designer / Date: David Mitchell, 1987.

Forms: Cubes, cube combinations and silverhedra.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: Simplex modules

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from squares divided into thirds using standard folding geometry.

Designer / Date: David Mitchell, 1989.

Forms: Cubes, cube combinations and silverhedra.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: Maverick modules

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from 2x1 rectangles or squares using standard folding geometry.

Designer / Date: David Mitchell, 1990.

Forms: A Marriage of Opposites coaster, motley cubes and motley silverhedra in combination with Sonobe modules.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: Mondrian modules (Assymetric Sonobe / Corner-pocket Sonobe modules)

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from squares using standard folding geometry.

Designer / Date: David Mitchell, 1995.

Forms: Cubes, hexahedra, 12-part Stubby Stars and possibly cube combinations.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: Darwin modules

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from squares divided into a 3x3 grid using standard folding geometry.

Designer / Date: David Mitchell, 2001.

Forms: Cubes, cube combinations and silverhedra.

Diagrams: On-line diagrams are available on the Modular Designs page of this site.

 
  Name: Semi-Sonobe modules

Paper shape / Folding geometry: Folded from squares using standard folding geometry.

Designer / Date: David Mitchell, 2013.

Forms: Cubes, cube combinations and silverhedra.

Diagrams: Not yet available.