Kirigami, a Japanese term meaning “cut paper,” expands on traditional origami by permitting strategic cuts in a single sheet. This additional step multiplies the range of shapes that can be generated, turning a flat surface into a three‑dimensional mechanism without the need for adhesives, bolts or other fasteners. Designer Matthew Lim has applied the method to produce a series of functional objects that shift from a compact, flat state to usable items such as a phone grip and a relatively large side table.
Historical roots of kirigami
The technique can be traced back to a 1797 publication that catalogued numerous ways to fold a crane. That same work recorded one of the earliest known instances of cutting a single sheet to create a second, smaller crane attached to the back of the first. The book further explored a grid‑based pattern that, after a sequence of cuts, could be folded into an array of cranes. Over time, this cut‑and‑fold approach acquired the name “kirigami.” Modern research, including a 2024 scientific paper by Liu et al., has examined cylindrical kirigami structures with adjustable mechanical properties, underscoring the method’s evolving engineering relevance.
From prototypes to functional furniture
Lim’s development process begins with rapid prototyping using a laser cutter to execute precise cuts and a fused‑deposition modeling (FDM) printer to fabricate hinges and other moving parts. Early iterations focus on pop‑up mechanisms that demonstrate the principle of transformation. Once the motion is refined, the designs are scaled up using plywood panels for the main surfaces and 3D‑printed hinges to maintain the same foldable behavior at a larger size.
The culminating piece—a side table—illustrates the full potential of kirigami‑based engineering. The tabletop can be laid flat for storage or shipping, then unfolded and locked into several stable configurations. The locking action occurs without any additional hardware; the geometry of the cuts and folds creates self‑supporting structures that hold the table in place. A smaller, handheld example functions as a phone grip, folding from a thin sheet into a sturdy holder that can be carried in a pocket.
Potential applications beyond furniture
While the immediate products are novelty items and compact furniture, the underlying mechanisms have broader implications. The ability to convert a flat sheet into a load‑bearing three‑dimensional shape could inform the design of robotic components that need to deploy quickly or change shape on demand. Likewise, flat‑pack furniture that assembles without screws or glue could reduce manufacturing complexity and waste.
Perhaps most compelling are the prospects for space exploration, where every gram of mass and every cubic millimeter of volume are at a premium. Kirigami structures could be launched in a compact, flat form and then expanded into functional equipment—such as workstations, storage racks or even habitat components—once in orbit or on a planetary surface. By eliminating fasteners and minimizing part count, the approach aligns with the stringent weight and volume constraints of spacecraft design.
Overall, the resurgence of kirigami demonstrates how an art form dating back centuries can intersect with modern manufacturing technologies to produce adaptable, hardware‑free solutions. As laser cutting, 3D printing and material science continue to advance, the range of practical applications for cut‑paper engineering is likely to expand, offering new pathways for designers, engineers and scientists alike.
Helene Elliott is the Lead Science & Space Reporter at News Raise. She reports on aerospace missions, astrophysics discoveries, quantum research, and environmental technology.
