Origami Icosahedron Sonobe Instructions

Modular origami lets you create several types of polyhedrons.

The icosahedron has 12 vertices, 20 faces, and 30 sides. Making one out of origami looks much more challenging than it actually is. Modular origami has folders that make several pieces that interlock to make a larger piece. By making several pieces called sonobes, folders can create many types of polyhedrons, including the icosahedron.

Things You'll Need

• 30 square pieces origami paper

Instructions

1. Fold paper in half vertically. Unfold. Fold left side in to center line. Fold right side in to center line.

2. Fold upper left corner down so top edge is flush with right side. Unfold. Using the crease just made, fold the corner of the right flap under. Open right flap. Fold upper left corner back down. Close right flap.

3. Fold lower right corner up so bottom edge is flush with left side. Unfold. Using the crease just made, fold the corner of the left flap under. Refold the lower right corner up, sliding the right side under the left flap.

4. Fold the bottom triangle up and the top triangle down, creating a square. Unfold. Make 30.

5. Take three pieces. Join in a ring by sliding the triangle end into of one piece into the center flap of the other piece. This will create a pyramid shape. Continue to add pieces and create more pyramids and join into a sphere.

Tips & Warnings

• Paperclips can help keep sonobes in place while piecing the icosahedron together.

• Using multiple colors of paper creates extra visual interest.

References

• Origami Nut: Cube, Octahedron, Icosahedron
• Marvelous Modular Origami; Instructions for Assembly with Sonobe Units; Meenakshi Mukerji; 2007