Edit Article

The sonobe unit is the base of modular origami. You can make a wide variety of geometrical shapes just by putting these little Sonobe units together. Some designs call for less than five units, while some call for more than a hundred! Fortunately, Sonobe units are easy to make, especially with the instructions and pictures below.

Ad

EditSteps

  1. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Take your square piece of paper with the white side up if you are using origami paper with one colored side.
    Ad
  2. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    2
    Fold the paper in half vertically.
  3. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    3
    Unfold the paper so you have a crease going down the middle.
  4. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    4
    Using the middle crease as a guide, fold the two sides parallel to the middle crease and fold them into the center. This will make the paper fold into fourths.
  5. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    5
    Unfold the paper once again.
  6. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    6
    Take the section on the left and fold it over.
  7. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    7
    Fold from the bottom left corner to the crease parallel to the right side of the paper. See image for further guidance.
  8. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    8
    Unfold all of the paper. There should now be a couple of diagonal creases, don't worry, this will make the process easier for later steps.
  9. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    9
    Turn the paper 180 degrees so that the diagonal creases are on the "top" of the paper.
  10. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 10 Version 2.jpg
    10
    Repeat steps 6 & 7 but do not unfold.
  11. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 11 Version 2.jpg
    11
    Fold the white flap over.
  12. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    12
    Turn the paper 180 degrees, then take the bottom left corner and tuck it under the white flap.
  13. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 13 Version 2.jpg
    13
    Turn the almost-finished unit over. Then fold in the extending white parts.
  14. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 14 Version 2.jpg
    14
    Fold the two extending points to the corners in which they meet the rectangular part.
    • At this point, you may be done, but there are other ways to fold the unit so you can make different polyhedrons.
      • Do not add any further creases to create a cube.
      • Add a mountain crease through the middle to make a hexahedron.
      • Add a valley fold through the middle to make more complex polyhedrons such as a icosahedron, or even more complicated things.
  15. Make a Sonobe Unit Step 15.jpg
    15
    Done!
    Ad


We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
Adobe Photoshop?
Yes
No
Adobe Photoshop
how to blend colors in Photoshop
Can you tell us about
mind hacks?
Yes
No
mind hacks
how to scare yourself
Can you tell us about
wakeskating?
Yes
No
wakeskating
how to wakeskate
Can you tell us about
computers?
Yes
No
computers
how to dock a laptop
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
...
Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.
Tips
Provide Details.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. Don't worry about formatting! We'll take care of it. For example:
Don't say: Eat more fats.
Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Submit

EditVideo



A simple video tutorial on how to make a sonobe variation, also explained in the "Tips" section. It also shows you how to assemble a simple hexahedron. At 5:30, you would only need 6 units, and at 5:47, only 30 units are needed.

EditTips

  • Here is also a variation you can do to make your model striped:
  • Add precise folds to make the model easier to assemble and more attractive. Precision folds require the creator to measure twice to fold once. Crease the paper with a thumbnail or the side of a ruler to make a sharp crease.
  • There is an infinite amount of polyhedrons you can make with this unit, start with a simple one, then more complex, more complex, and so on. (It's even possible to make one with 900 of these!)

EditWarnings

  • Be patient, you don't have to finish this in a day. (although one unit only takes 3 minutes to make)
  • Beware of paper cuts!

EditThings You'll Need

  • Multiple pieces of paper (preferably a multiple of 3)

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Collect Origami

How to
Impress Your Guest With Toilet Paper Origami

How to
Fold an Origami Star (Shuriken)

How to
Make a Kusudama Flower

How to
Fold a Japanese Brocade

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Origami

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,379 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No

Become
an Author!

Write an Article