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Low profile lounge chair ?

Faceted chair ?

Modern minimalist chair ?

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Origami-Faceted Cardboard Armchair Construction Guide

Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

Overview

A modern, low-profile armchair built from folded cardboard planes. Its design uses origami-inspired geometry for strength and style. It's lightweight, recyclable, and can be made at home using common tools.

Finished Dimensions

Width: 29 inches (750 mm)
Depth: 23 inches (600 mm)
Height: 35 inches (950 mm)
Seat Height: 17 inches (450 mm)
Backrest Height: 19 inches (500 mm)

Materials Required

corrugated cardboard sheets
Measuring tape or ruler
Pencil
Straight edge (minimum 36 in / 914 mm)
Utility knife
Scoring tool (or blunt butter knife)
Craft Glue
Craft clamps or heavy books

Component Overview

Total: 4 Modules

Module 1: Seat Platform
Module 2: Backrest Panel
Module 3: Side Arm Panels (Left)
Module 4: Side Arm Panels (Right)
Module 5: Front Facet (under seat)

CORE LOAD STRUCTURE

Main pieces that hold the weight and form the sitting area.

SEAT SUPPORT SYSTEM

Creates the flat sitting surface, connects the arms.

Module 1: Seat Platform

Main Sitting Panel

Specifications

Size: 18 in x 20 in (600 mm x 500 mm)
Shape: Flat Trapezoid

Cutting instructions

SEAT CUTTING PATTERN

Rectangle -> Cut -> Trapezoid:

+------------------+                    19"
|                  |                 +------+
|                  | 19"            /        \
|                  |        ->      /          \ 19"
|                  |              /            \
+------------------+             +--------------+
       23"                             23"

Cut a clean 23" x 19" rectangle.
On the rear edge, mark a 19" segment centered between the corners.
From each rear corner, draw a straight line to the nearest front corner.
Cut along both lines, this forms a clean trapezoid with a 600 mm front edge and 500 mm rear edge.
Repeat this process 3-4 times to stack the cut seat panels together to increase strength and firmness.

Position: Horizontally connects between arm panels.

Function: Supports seated weight, transfers force to side modules.

Assembly Instructions

Stack all 4-5 cut seat panels together, applying glue between each layer.
Place a heavy weight on top to ensure proper bonding. Let it dry while you continue assembling the next module.

Elevational Views

Front: Flat Edge profile with visible stacked layers
Side: Flat Edge profile with visible stacked layers
Top: Trapezoidal surface tapering from 600 mm front to 500 mm rear
Rear: Flat Edge profile with visible stacked layers

VERTICAL ELEMENTS

Backrest and side arms for structure and comfort.

Module 2: Backrest Panel

Upright Leaning Support

Specifications

Size: 19" x 19" (500 mm x 500 mm)
Shape: Rectangle with facets

Cutting instructions

FACETED BACKREST: Square -> Score -> Ready to fold

+-------------------+                    +------------------+
|                   |                    |\       A        /|
|                   |                    | \              / |
|                   | 19"      ->        |  \            /  | 19"
|                   |                    | B  \        /  C |
|                   |                    |     \  v  /      |
+-------------------+                    +-------\-/--------+
        19"                                       19"

Cut a 19" x 19" square for the backrest panel.
Score two diagonal lines: one from the top-left corner to the center of the bottom edge, and another from the top-right corner to the same center point.
This creates a central forward-facing triangle and two right-angled side triangles.
Fold the side triangles backward and the central triangle forward to form a faceted backrest profile.
Make sure this creates a comfortable 15-20 deg backrest inclination.

Position: Vertical, at the rear of the seat

Function: Provides back support, leans for comfort

Assembly Instructions

Apply glue along the bottom edge of the backrest panel.
Position it firmly at the rear of Module 1: Seat Platform, aligned with the center.
Press and hold for 30 seconds until the bond sets.
Ensure full contact along the glued edge with no gaps.

Elevational Views

Front: Faceted backrest composed of one central forward-folded triangle and two backward-folded right-angled triangles on each side
Side: Side triangles visible, showing a 15-20 deg backward inclination
Top: Single central fold line visible, with the triangle pointing inward toward the seat
Rear: Side triangles visible in perspective; central triangle recedes toward the back

Module 3: Side Arm Panels (Left)

Side Walls / Armrests

Specifications

Size: 19 in x 23 in (450 mm x 600 mm)
Shape: Folded diamond with a center valley

Cutting & Folding

+------------------+
| \                   /  |
|  \    Fold      /   |
|   \              /     |
|    \______/     |
+------------------+

This module is composed of 3 components.

Component 1

Cut a 19" x 23" (480 mm x 600 mm) rectangle.
From the top-left and top-right corners, draw two diagonal lines, one to the center point at 15" (380 mm) height, and another to the center at 23" (600 mm) height.
Score along both lines to create a central forward-facing triangle flanked by two right-angled side triangles.
Fold the central triangle outward and the two side triangles inward to create a sharp V-shaped armrest profile.

Component 2

Retain the two right-angled triangular offcuts from Component 1 -- these will serve as side supports.

Component 3

Cut four additional 19" x 23" (480 mm x 600 mm) rectangles. These will stack behind the faceted panel to reinforce the armrest structure.

Position: Mounted vertically on the left side of the seat, extending from the floor up to the armrest height.

Function: Provides side support and vertical stiffness

Assembly Instructions

Take one right-angled triangle from Component 2 and apply glue along the hypotenuse of component 1 hypotenuse and attach it to the outer angled edge of Component 1 at a 35 deg backward tilt.
Stack the assembled Component 1 and 2 on the four flat panels from Component Align all edges and glue together to form one reinforced armrest panel.
Apply clamps or a heavy weight and let dry completely before mounting.

Elevational Views

Front: Flat Edge profile with visible stacked layers, with showing component 2 in the elevation which is at an angle
Side: component 1 in middle and component 1 to the left and component 3 in the right.
Top: Flat Edge profile with visible stacked layers
Rear: Flat Edge profile with visible stacked layers

Module 4: Side Arm Panels (Left)

Front Triangle Cover

Specifications

Size: 18 in base x 12 in height (457 mm x 305 mm)
Shape: Isosceles triangle

Cutting instructions

Cut from 18" x 12" rectangle
        /   \
       /     \
      /____\

Mark midpoint on 18" base

Connect to both top corners to make triangle

Cut cleanly

Position: Under the seat, between side modules

Function: Covers base, provides frontal bracing

Assembly Instructions

Test fit -- triangle should fit snug between sides
Apply glue to inside faces of side walls
Press triangle into place, point down

Elevational Views

Front: Triangle pointing down
Side: Hidden behind seat edge
Top: Not visible
Rear: Invisible

Module 5: Rear Facet

Rear Stabilizer

Specifications

Size: 14 in base x 10 in height (356 mm x 254 mm)
Shape: Equilateral triangle folded slightly

Cutting

Cut equilateral triangle
Score center for shallow bend

Position: Rear underside, between side walls

Function: Supports leaning backrest, braces rear

Assembly Instructions

Fold triangle slightly inward
Glue into place between side arms, below seat

Module 6: Underside Support Pyramid

Central Load Support

Specifications

Size: 12" triangle faces (304 mm)
Shape: Tetrahedral (3D pyramid)

Cutting

Cut an equilateral triangle
Fold three sides inward, forming a pyramid

Position: Directly under center of seat panel

Function: Transfers weight to ground and prevents sag

Assembly Instructions

Score fold lines between each face
Assemble and glue into a 3D pyramid
Glue bottom to floor, top to seat panel center

ASSEMBLY SEQUENCE

Foundation Phase

Side Arm Panels (Module 3)
Underside Pyramid (Module 6)

Support Phase

Seat Platform (Module 1)
Front Facet (Module 4)
Rear Facet (Module 5)

Surface Phase

Confirm seat alignment

Vertical Phase

Backrest Panel (Module 2)

Final Phase

Double check all joints
Add optional sealant spray or decorative tape

QUALITY CONTROL

Assembly Checklist

Side panels match in fold and angle
Seat rests evenly without rocking
Backrest leans at ~15 deg
Triangle facets are fully glued
Pyramid securely under seat center

Load Testing

Test 1: Sit gently with 100 lbs (45.4 kg)
Test 2: Load gradually to 160 lbs (72.5 kg)
Max Capacity: 180 lbs (81.6 kg)

Finishing

Apply edge tape if desired
Clean glue residues
Spray matte sealer for durability

FINAL SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions: 24" x 22" x 34" (610 x 559 x 864 mm)
Seat: 18" x 20" (457 x 508 mm)
Seat Height: 17" (432 mm)
Weight Capacity: 180 lbs (81.6 kg)
Modules: 6
Assembly Time: ~90 minutes
Skill Level: Intermediate (adults or supervised teens)