Sonobe Unit Models

I can't remember when it was that I bumped into modular origami. I do know that when I found it, I was fascinated. It is the perfect blend of art and geometry. Sonobe units were the first units I discovered while doing an internet search. From a flat square of paper, you can fold many different geometric solids.

This photo shows a basic sonobe unit- the small, winged square in the front center. To the left is a triangle made from three of these units, called a Toshie's Jewel. Above that is an octahedron made from 12 units, and on the right, an icosahedron made from 30 units. The octahedron is a variation of the basic sonobe unit by Meenakshi Mukerji, from her book Marvelous Modular Origami. You can see that all of the peaks are white. This is accomplished by a variation in folding the basic sonobe unit, described in her book, which is wonderful, by the way.

The Sonobe unit above was folded from a 4" square of giftwrap. I love using the kind with squares printed on the reverse. I can get beautiful colors, and the measuring is easy! I have learned that with many types of giftwrap, if the paper is slick, the first few units will need a touch of glue. I use a basic white school glue, and put a very small drop, before locking the units together. Later, as I complete the model, I may or may not need to keep using the glue. It all depends on the model and the kind of paper. And if others will be handling the models, sometimes it is just good insurance to use a bit of glue.

To show how the units go together, here is the beginning of a 90 unit dodecahedron that I have started. 90 units seems like a tremendous amount of folding, but these units fold very quickly, and I usually fold them while watching tv with my family. I can get quite a few folded during a football or baseball game. :)

The ability to make beautiful geometric solids out of humble squares of gift wrap and other papers has not lost its wonder for me, even though I have been playing around with this for a few years now. It seems to me that origami, and modular origami in particular, uses both sides of the brain. It has elements of math, in its geometric form, and art, in the infinite possibilities of color and patterning of the models.  And it is just pure fun, and makes a great decoration for a writing desk.