Pagodas
Making Something Out of the Ordinary
This piece was developed in the context of an exhibition I was working on: Vernaculary Extraordinary. Or in plain terms, how to make something special out of something boring.
In this case, the “boring” is the classic pitched-roof house, the one you draw when you’re 4 and asked to draw a house, or when you’re 50 and still drawing like you’re 4 (no offense, that’s how I still draw).
The boring is also in the typical apartment block, which basically consists of stacking floors without much imagination, and filling them with people.
Same Thing, Again and Again
In this project, I stacked small houses, rotating each level by 90 degrees. The result becomes extra-ordinary, not in the sense that it’s particularly clever, but because it steps outside the usual way of combining two ordinary elements.
The original idea wasn’t to make a pagoda, but once assembled, that’s the first thing it made me think of. And it’s a lot easier to say than trying to explain the “extra-ordinary.”
How it Works
The core of this set is a single module, the small house, which you cut, fold, and stack indefinitely.
Step by Step
Step 1
Print the PDF templates on your home printer and cut by hand, or use a cutting machine with the provided vector files. Pre-fold all creases.
Step 2
Assemble the basic house module.
The tabs and slots will hold everything together.
Step 3
Use the provided base as a starting point for stability.
Step 4
Start stacking the house modules, rotating each level by 90 degrees.
You’ll also find, on the base template, an optional piece to finish the tower with a flat roof. And 2D arches that can be inserted between the houses to create a stack without rotation, as shown here.
Go Further
If you’re really into the extra-ordinary and want to push the idea further, you’ll also find a series of extended versions, allowing for arrangements that are, well, truly extraordinary.
Continue reading in Expanding the Pagoda
Or learn more about Paper Assemblies
Availability
This set is currently only available as part of the Super Archi Pack
