Note: This is a 5-day workshop, from 11am to 1pm - Monday, May 25th to Friday, May 29th

Modular origami is the art of folding multiple identical paper units and locking them together - without glue or tape - to build stunning three-dimensional geometric structures. Unlike traditional origami, each piece involves repetition, planning, and assembly, making it a uniquely satisfying blend of craft, mathematics, and design.

Over five two-hour sessions students aged 13 to 18 will progress from their very first fold to completing a 30-unit icosahedron - one of the most impressive structures in modular origami. Along the way, they will build spatial reasoning, practice precision and patience, explore colour and design, and experience the deep satisfaction of making something complex from simple parts.

By the end of the five days, students will be able to:

• Fold and assemble multiple modular origami forms, from 3 to 30 units

• Understand the relationship between 2D folds and 3D geometric structures

• Apply colour design thinking before folding to achieve planned visual patterns

• Develop problem-solving strategies when assembly becomes challenging

• Articulate their creative process through a short artist statement

Daily Overview

Each 2-hour session is divided into two 1-hour blocks, moving from instruction and guided practice to independent making and reflection.

Day 1: The Art of the Module

Students discover what modular origami is, learn the history of the Sonobe unit, and complete their first 3D model — Toshie's Jewel — all in one session.

• Fold the classic Sonobe unit from scratch

• Learn origami vocabulary: tab, pocket, module, assembly

• Complete a 3-unit Toshie's Jewel as a take-home model

Day 2: Into the Third Dimension

From flat paper to 3D polyhedra — students scale up, building a 6-unit cube and then the impressive 12-unit stellated ball. Maths meets craft with an exploration of Euler's formula.

•    Fold and assemble a 2-colour Sonobe cube

•    Scale up to the 12-unit stellated octahedron (ball)

•   Explore geometry: faces, edges, vertices

Day 3: Stars & Geometry

A change of pace — students explore flat star modules and modular rosettes, making their own colour design decisions before folding. Great for creative expression.

• Learn a new module type: the pointed star unit

• Fold a 5-pointed modular star and a 6-unit rosette

• Choose personal colour palettes and compare design outcomes

Day 4: Complex Structures

The week's major challenge: the 30-unit Sonobe icosahedron. Students fold 30 units in 5 colours and work through a structured assembly sequence, building perseverance and problem-solving skills.

• Fold 30 Sonobe units in a planned 5-colour arrangement

• Follow a structured colour-map for assembly

• Develop persistence through a sustained creative challenge

Day 5: Design & Showcase

Students complete any unfinished models, experiment with designing their own module variations, and present their week's work in a class exhibition with artist statement cards.

• Experiment with modifying the Sonobe fold to invent new modules

• Set up and walk through a class origami exhibition

• Write a short artist statement reflecting on the week's learning

Materials

All materials are provided. Students do not need to bring anything. Below is a summary of what is used across the week:

Square origami paper (15cm × 15cm): 30 sheets per student per day - 3 to 5 colours

Paper Folder: For making crisp, accurate creases

Paper strips (2cm × 20cm): Day 3 only - for star module folding

Binder clips or pegs: For holding partially assembled models

Index cards & sticky notes: Day 5 exhibition and gallery walk activity