5 in 5: Folding

5 in 5: Folding is a five-day rapid prototyping study. Each day, I created one experiment based on folding. Instead of developing one finished project, I used this short and intensive process to quickly test different ideas, materials, and mechanisms.

The five prototypes connect folding with generative art, architecture, transformable structures, logic gates, and everyday objects. Through these experiments, folding became more than a way to turn a flat surface into a three-dimensional form. It could also work as a rule, a spatial concept, a physical mechanism, a computational system, or a way to question how familiar objects should behave.

An early mind map connecting folding with possible materials, mechanisms, and applications.

Day 1 — “A” Folding

“A” Folding explores how physical paper folding can become a generative system. I began with a square sheet of paper and used a set of mathematical rules to control where and how it should fold. Linear algebra was used to calculate the folding process, while an evolution strategy searched for a folded form that looked like the letter A.

This experiment connects precise computation with unpredictable physical results. Although the system follows clear rules, the final forms can still become complex, irregular, and unexpected.

A square sheet of white paper folded into a form resembling the letter A. — Physical paper-folding study

Four generated folding results that resemble the letter A. — Forms found through the evolution strategy

Animated generative search for a folded form resembling the letter A.

Read the full A Folding article

Day 2 — Unfold the City

From the 5-in-5 exercise to the midterm, Unfold the City developed into three paper prototypes that use folding to compare different urban patterns and spatial experiences.

The City of Growth

New York expands linearly from south to north through its grid, while Paris grows outward from a center through radial streets and connections.

Folded paper studies comparing the linear growth of New York with the radial growth of Paris.

Unfolded paper studies comparing the linear pattern of New York with the radial pattern of Paris.

The City of Order

The Greek theater opens toward its surrounding landscape, while the Roman Colosseum encloses the audience around a central space.

Paper models comparing the outward-facing Greek theater with the inward-facing Roman Colosseum.

The City of Perspective

At Piazza del Campo, the tower appears as a landmark when viewed from the square, but becomes a viewpoint when looking back at the city from above.

A folding paper model presenting the tower of Piazza del Campo as both a landmark and a viewpoint.

Day 3 — Mini Transformable Structure

This prototype explores folding as a small transformable mechanism. The goal was to create a miniature bridge that could unfold and cross a narrow gap. The design was inspired by small wearable mechanisms and folded paper-tube structures.

The prototype did not move as smoothly as expected. Folding paper was relatively easy, but controlling its movement with a mechanism became difficult at this scale. This experiment helped reveal the difference between creating a foldable form and designing a reliable transformation.

Reference studies of small wearable mechanisms, folded bridges, and transformable architectural structures.

A folded paper-tube prototype and its small wire control mechanism.

Day 4 — Binary Fold

Binary Fold connects paper mechanisms with digital logic. The project begins with a simple relationship: a folded state can represent 0, while an unfolded state can represent 1.

Inspired by pop-up books, I tested whether multiple paper mechanisms could work as physical inputs. By combining them, the folded structure may behave like basic AND, OR, and NOT logic gates. The prototype is an early investigation into how computation could become physical, visible, and understandable through movement.

NOT

AND

OR

Day 5 — Afoldable

Afoldable imagines everyday objects that can fold even when their original materials are normally hard or solid. Objects such as a tomato, an Oreo, a coffee cup, and a button were reimagined as soft and foldable forms.

Rather than developing a practical folding technology, this experiment focuses on expectation. When a familiar object behaves in an unfamiliar way, it can appear strange, playful, or humorous. The project uses folding to question how material properties influence the way we understand everyday objects.

A tomato model shown before and after it is folded.

A coffee cup model with foldable marshmallows placed inside it.

A set of colorful button models shown before and after folding.

Oreo models shown as solid cookies and as an unfolding paper structure.

Reflection

The five prototypes show how one simple action can lead to very different design questions. During the five-day process, folding changed from a physical technique into a broader method for thinking about rules, space, movement, computation, and material behavior.

Not every prototype became a finished design, but this was part of the purpose of the exercise. Working quickly made it possible to test several directions and identify ideas that could be developed further. Unfold the City later became the starting point for the midterm study, including The City of Perspective.

Keywords: Folding, Rapid Prototyping, Paper Engineering, Generative Design, Spatial Experience