Take one sheet of paper plus a little inspiration from Gaudi and Ingrid Siliakus, paper architect extraordinaire, will transform it – with the patience and precision of a surgeon – into an ingenious three-dimensional paper wonder. The father of Paper Architecture, Masahiro Chatani, developed this art of creating an object from a single piece of paper in the 1980s. Ingrid was instantly mesmerised and intrigued by the manner in which these complex pieces were designed and the way they radiated with intricate beauty.

To design a pattern from scratch, the paper artist needs the skill of an architect to create two-dimensional design. Similar to building, one starts with a single layer, with a single shape, whereupon layer after layer follows – until the artist is satisfied with the result. Such skill, coupled with saintly patience, is required as 20 to 30 (and even more) prototypes are created before the final design is completed. All separate prototypes are cut and folded for examination.

After the design stage, paper architecture is created by the combination of detailed cutting and folding. Ingrid’s specialties include buildings of master architects and intricate abstract sculptures. The paper used for her staggering creations varies from 160 to 300 grams. Small wonder, hey? ❤ Read the full article in the Design Issue

I experience an ultimate satisfaction at the critical moment when the paper, with a silenced sigh, surrenders and becomes a blade-sharp crease. The sound of the paper, which guides this surrendering, to me is incomparable…