Designer/Creator: Annette Carr
Inspired by MOD17 - MODULAR ORIGAMI - HALF CUBE OPEN BOX (FROM 5 SQUARES)
MOD17 Half Cube Open Box by Lindy van der Merwe
Text Instructions copyright 2025 by Annette Carr and by
accessorigami.com
Description and more information:
This model is a three-dimensional open box. The bottom and 2 sides are square and are, in fact, 3 sides of a cube. The top and front are open and folded back into triangles with a collar around the open edge.
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.
This model is created by folding 4 very simple units and assembled by sliding flaps into each other and into various pockets.
This box can be used 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.
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.
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.
You will need 4 squares to make this box.
Instructions:
Folding Unit 1 (Make 1)
Position paper in the diamond orientation with the corners pointing up, down, left, and right.
Fold the bottom point up to the top point, crease, and leave folded. You now have a triangle with its longest side towards you, a point to the left, a point to the right and a point facing away from you.
Fold the left point up to the top point and leave folded. You created a smaller triangle laying on top of the unit.
Fold the right point up to the top point and leave folded. You now have a square in the diamond orientation with its top layer divided into 2 triangles with a vertical seam going through the center of the unit.
Examine Unit 1
Unit 1 is made up of a 2-layer square that lays flat on the table. There are 2 triangular wings pointing up to the ceiling.
Folding Units 2 and 3
Follow all steps for folding Unit 1.
Unfold all folds, flatten paper gently and position it in the diamond orientation. There should be a horizontal valley fold and 4 diagonal valley folds that meet in the center of the paper.
Fold the bottom point up to the center horizontal crease where the 4 diagonal creases meet.
Fold the new bottom edge of the model up to the horizontal crease.
Refold the horizontal crease. You now have a single layer triangle with a multi-layer band along the longest side of the triangle.
Flip the unit over like turning the pages of a book. The surface of the unit is smooth with 2 diagonal valley folds.
Refold along the existing valley folds to bring the bottom left corner up to the top point and the bottom right point up to the top point.
Examine Unit 2
The unit is once again a square in the diamond orientation with 2 triangles that point up to the ceiling. Press these triangles down so the unit is flat. The 2 triangles are divided by a center vertical seam. Now there is a vertical band on either side of the sea. When you flip the unit over and look at the other side of the unit you will find a smooth square with a small triangle covering the bottom corner.
Repeat to make Unit 3.
Folding Unit 4 (Make 1)
Orientate the square with its edges to the left, right, top and bottom.
Fold the left edge over to the right edge, crease and unfold.
Fold the bottom edge up to the top edge, crease and unfold.
The paper has been divided into 4 squares. In the next 2 steps you will be working in the lower left and the lower right squares.
Working in the lower left square, fold the bottom left corner up to the center of the paper which is the top right corner of the square you are working with. You are creating a diagonal valley fold from the top left corner of this square to the bottom right corner. This valley fold extends from the center of the left edge of the paper to the center of the bottom edge of the paper. This small square is now a 2-layer triangle.
Working with the square in the lower right of the paper, make a diagonal fold from the top left corner of this square to its lower right corner. In other words, the crease will run from the center of the paper to the lower right corner of the paper. You want this to be a mountain fold.
Use your left hand to hold the triangle in the lower left of the unit down on the table. With your right hand, pinch the diagonal mountain fold in the lower right square and move it to the left. As you do this, the 2 top squares will start to stand up to create 2 adjacent vertical walls. Use your right hand to flatten the triangle you are pinching down on top of the triangle you are holding down on the table with your left hand. The 2 triangles will end up at 90-degree angles to each other.
Examine Unit 4
There is a triangle on the table sticking out from under another triangle. These triangles are at 90-degree angles to each other.
There is a vertical wall on the left of the unit, connected to another vertical wall on the top edge of the unit away from you.
This unit will probably not stay in this arrangement once you let go of it. You will need to get it back to this when you assemble the model.
Assembly
Assemble Units 1 and 4
Start with Unit 1 and unit 4.
Slide the loose triangle from Unit 4 in between the 2 layers of the bottom square of Unit 1. Once fully inserted this triangle will be totally hidden between the 2 layers of Unit 1 squares. The bottom layer of the Unit 1 square will be inserted between the 2 triangles of Unit 4.
Examine the model
The bottom of your box has been formed, it is a smooth square on top that will be the floor of the inside of the box, and underneath the model the bottom is made up of 2 triangular areas.
There are 2 vertical walls that will make up the back of the model, and 2 triangular walls that will be the sides of the box.
Assemble Units 2 and 3
Place Units 2 and 3 next to each other on the table so that the square portion of both Units are on the table.
Position the unit on the left so that 1 triangular wing is on the left and the other is on the edge furthest from you.
Position the unit on the right so that 1 triangular wing is on the right and the other is on the edge furthest from you.
Working with the wings that are furthest from you, hold one in your left hand and one in your right. Lift the units up and tilt the points of the wings towards each other. Slide one wing under the band of the other wing. It does not matter which one is inserted. Slide them together all the way so that they are perfectly aligned with each other. This will become the top of your box.
Examine the model
There is a multi-layer triangle that will become the top of your box. It has a band along the longest edge of the triangle.
There are 2 other triangles with a band on their longest edge that will form the side walls of the box.
There are 2 squares that will make up the back walls of the box. Each of these squares have 1 triangular pocket on their top front corners.
Assemble Units 1 and 4 with Units 2 and 3
Insert the 4 walls of the assembled Units 2 and 3 inside the assembled Units 1 and 4. As you do this guide the triangles from Unit 1 to slide in behind the bands on the triangular walls from Units 2 and 3. Keep sliding the triangles together until they are all perfectly aligned with each other.
Tuck the top front corners from the squares of Unit 4 into the small triangular pockets on the back walls of Units 2 and 3.
Gently squeeze the model together to ensure everything is firmly in place.
Making origami accessible through text-based instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Annette Carr, October 2025
This text copyright 2025 by accessorigami.com and the author
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