Vehicles

Lots of appendages define the frame for this bicycle. Yes, it is from a single uncut square.. Purchase Book

Although this is technically a two-dimensional piece, the thickness of the model and the dual landing gear wheels give this helicopter a feeling of volume. Purchase Book

Childhood drawings of cars with large fenders inspired this piece. Purchase Book

Biplane - This piece is a second stab at the subject. The previous incarnation employed box pleating techniques, but for this version a more geometric approach was employed. The upper sets of wings are formed from the middle portion of the paper. As a disclaimer, this airplane will not fly (it does not even crash gracefully). However, as a piece of art, the color patterns are unique and playful. This model is being used as part of an art installation for a Trump building and is part of the permanent collection of the Hangar 17 museum in Germany. Purchase Book

This was designed in 1979, making it an early origami effort. Coincidentally, it shares some sequences independently devised by origami pioneer Raymond McLain many years prior. Purchase Book

The biplane portion of this composition takes up most of the paper, hence it is being showcased in the vehicles section. Purchase Book

This work is the result of streamlining an older box pleated helicopter model. Topologically speaking, the paper makes an “S” shape to obtain the color patterns. Purchase Book

Both the Bicycle and this Penny-farthing share the same sequence for the wheels and were designed concurrently. This one is far easier to fold, as the frame does not have a complex web of struts. Purchase Book

The design challenge of this model was to have the look and feel of the previously composed Biplane. As with the other airplane model, the wings come from the center of the paper. Still, the folding sequence is very different in most other areas, making it interesting to compare the underlying structures of both pieces. Purchase Book

An OrigamiUSA design competition originally called for a vehicle but was quickly changed to a prehistoric model design challenge. This Prehistoric Car satisfied both design requirements, making for an unusual entry among all the dinosaur fossils. Equally satisfying is that a prehistoric base (the classic Bird Base) was utilized to make this vehicle. Purchase Book

This work was in response to a sailboat design challenge posed by origami master Robert Lang. In order for the main sail to have the right shape, many of the folds are based on 30-degree geometry. Purchase Book

A multi-piece version of this Satellite was devised for a private Christmas tree decoration job, for a family in the telecommunications investment business. The piece for the dish was folded from a corner of a square, to allow for the other sections to be folded all from the same sheet. Folding this is a bit harder than it looks, as the body section is completely enclosed. Purchase Book

Designing this Spaceship was a personal challenge from fellow origami expert Jeremy Shafer. Purchase Book

This piece was designed for Dorothy Engelman’s Origami Swami column to celebrate the ships of Independence Day. The work takes on an iconic Sy Chen approach. Shortly after seeing this piece, origami master Sy Chen developed an even more abstract (and simpler) version of this subject. Purchase Book

From a single square using only simple valley and mountain folds (Pureland style). Purchase Book

From a single square using only simple valley and mountain folds (Pureland style). Purchase Book

From a single square using only simple valley and mountain folds (Pureland style). Purchase Book