Masahiro Chatani’s Origamic Architecture.

Lloyd’s of London (ロイズオブロンドン)

Todaiji Temple-Daibutsu-Den (東大寺　大佛殿)

Cathedral (大聖堂)

While this isn’t origami, it is a very fascinating bit of papercraft.

Masahiro Chatani is really the main founder of this art style, or at least the one who truly brought it to fruition. photos from his site (and links) are above.

From Ingrid’s site, linked below:

Some say that Origamic Architecture is a part of Origami and some say it is not. So one is divided about this issue. This confusion arises because the folding part is essential in making an Origamic Architecture card; by folding, one models a card into shape. However, when a card is made it is primarily done by cutting. Masahiro Chatani consequently calls his books Origamic Architecture.

Now I’m a bit of an origami purist, at least in the “no cuts” category; but that’s more to keep my mind focused, not because I dislike papercraft that involves cutting. Paper in general is a fabulous resource that has unlimited possibilities. Sticking to one sheet with no cuts keeps me from falling over that “endless” abyss, and allows me to focus on maximizing what I can do within my artificial self-imposed constraints. I find the helpful; am I alone in that?

Perhaps that’s why I find this art form so interesting- it has many of the same things (strict limitations, one sheet of paper) as origami, yet it primarily involves cutting. So very different but quite similar at the same time.

some other Origamic Architecture links:

• Ingrid’s origamic architecture site
• Evermore Origamic Architecture with many links. most definitely worth exploring.
• KSK’s Origamic Architecture page
• Kihara’s Gallery
• the DMOZ Origamic Architecture listings (DMOZ is an open web directory service)