Origami Unfoldable Box

Origami unfoldable box is an interesting design by Ed Sullivan. It is named so because once the box is folded, it cannot be unfolded. This is perhaps an example of an origami where the sequence of folding steps leading to the finished origami are more interesting than the finished product itself?

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 1: Start with a 6 inch x 6 inch (15cm x 15cm) square origami paper. We started with color side down and ended up with a box that's mainly white. If you want your box to show your paper color, then start with the color side up.

Fold paper in half on the horizontal and vertical axis. Crease in the center only to mark the paper.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 2: Fold the top and bottom halves to the center. Crease well and unfold.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 3: Fold the right and left sides to the center. Crease well and unfold.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 4: Fold paper in half diagonally but only crease in the areas shown below.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 5: Flip paper over. Make 2 horizontal folds as shown. Crease well and unfold.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 6: Make 2 vertical folds as shown. Crease well and unfold.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 7: Flip paper over.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 8: Start to form a "box" by bringing up the 4 sides.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 9: Make 2 diagonal folds as shown, folding A to B and C to D. Crease well.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 10: Now make 2 vertical folds. Crease well.

Top view of the box:

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 11: Rotate paper.

Repeat Steps 9 and 10 on this side.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 12: This is an interesting and maybe slightly tricky step.

We're going to collapse the paper. Starting with one edge, fold the edge so that the top meets the bottom.

We'll start with one edge and work our way around and complete this fold for all 4 edges.

Now we've to continue collapsing the paper for the other 3 edges.

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 13: Now comes the fun part. Starting with one corner, gently pull the paper in opposite direction. This move creates one corner of the box.

One corner of the box has appeared!

Origami Unfoldable Box Step 14: Repeat Step 13 for the other 3 corners.

and the origami unfoldable box is complete!