We have been experimenting with different types of transforming polyhedra at Architecture for Kids, looking at the Jitterbug, Hoberman structures, Juno Spinners and others. In addition to any Architectural value, creating mechanical moving structures has proven a lot of fun.
Jitterbug
A discovery attributed to Buckminster Fuller, transforms between octahedron and cub-octahedron. It also demonstrates to kids the inherent structure found in triangular shapes, and how this lack of structure in the quadrangle can be used to the advantage of the Jitterbug's articulation.
Juno's Spinners
My favourite, Juno's Spinners were developed by Junichi Yananose. They are polyhedra held together with an internal structure which also acts as a mechanism to allow them to expand. Rotational joints at the junctions between the structure and panels allow this movement, and like the Jitterbug and Hoberman Structutes, the model expands and contracts uniformly.
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| Experimenting with transforming polyhedra |
Jitterbug
A discovery attributed to Buckminster Fuller, transforms between octahedron and cub-octahedron. It also demonstrates to kids the inherent structure found in triangular shapes, and how this lack of structure in the quadrangle can be used to the advantage of the Jitterbug's articulation.
We have been assembling Jitterbug's using modular origami.
Hoberman Structures
We love the Hoberman Sphere! It's always great fun in class. The immediate attraction is that an operation to one joint affects the whole model. Different Hoberman spheres work with different members of the Archimedean Solids which has increased class interest in polyhedra, their differences and how they work.
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| A quickly constructed origami jitterbug |
We love the Hoberman Sphere! It's always great fun in class. The immediate attraction is that an operation to one joint affects the whole model. Different Hoberman spheres work with different members of the Archimedean Solids which has increased class interest in polyhedra, their differences and how they work.
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| Polyhedra-head: Playing with the Hoberman Sphere and framed structures. |
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| Expand-a-ball similar to the Hoberman Twist-O |
Juno's Spinners
My favourite, Juno's Spinners were developed by Junichi Yananose. They are polyhedra held together with an internal structure which also acts as a mechanism to allow them to expand. Rotational joints at the junctions between the structure and panels allow this movement, and like the Jitterbug and Hoberman Structutes, the model expands and contracts uniformly.
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| Making Juno Spinners |
At first they look complicated, (they are ingenious) but the templates are available on Juno's website and they are straight forward to template, cut out and assemble. We've been using polycarbonate sheet with eyelets for the joints. For most models no real instructions are required because the geometry constructs itself.
These are useful exercises to de-mistily geometry and the apparent complexity of movement. It is also good to help develop kid's motor skills with the tracing, cutting, folding and assembly involved, but these tasks don't take long and the goals of finished models are quickly realised.
