An “Intersecting Planes Model” gives the impression of identical planar figures intersecting each other. Some examples:
 WXYZ by Tung Ken Lam (4 Triangles) |
 Blintz Icosidodecahedron by Tung Ken Lam (6 Pentagons) |
 TUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji (7 Six-Sides Stars) |
History
Tung Ken Lam designed “Four Intersecting Triangles” in 1999. His model aroused plenty of excitement in the origami community. A flurry of activity ensued. Within a few years, Meenakshi Mukerji, Francis Ow and others discovered twenty-odd new models. Meenakshi Mukerji’s models are especially spectacular: Check out her gallery! Tung Ken Lam’s WXYZ is charming — sturdy and esthetically pleasing. This should definitely be the first model that you assemble.
How To Make WXYZ by Tung Ken Lam
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with Origami symbols like mountain / valley folds.
Step 2: Make 12 units of the WXYZ Model. Instructions (click to enlarge):
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A video showing how to make one unit of the WXYZ Model (thanks to origaming):
Step 3: Assemble 12 WXYZ units together, as shown in instructions above. A video showing the assembly (thanks to origaming):
Step 4: Take a picture of your model and display it on the web.
Step 5: Make other Intersecting Plane Models or design one of your own!
How To Make Other Intersecting Plane Models
The definitive website for such models is Meenakshi Mukerji’s Intersecting Planes Gallery — check it out! Links to freely available diagrams:
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| XYZ by Francis Ow (3 Rectangles) |
XYZmbe by Nick Robinson (3 Squares) |
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| XYZ by Mick Guy (3 Rectangles) |
WXYZ by Tung Ken Lam (4 Triangles) (Photographic Instructions) |
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| XYZ by Francis Ow (3 Diamonds) |
WXYZ by Francis Ow (3 Y-Shapes) |
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| Octahedral Cross by Tung Ken Lam (3 Red Crosses) (YouTube video) |
Tornado by Francis Ow |
UVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji (6 5-Arm Crosses) |
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| UVWXYZ by M Leonard (5 Pentagons) |
TUVWXYZ by M Leonard |
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| TUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji |
TUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji |
TUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji (7 Six-Sided Stars) |
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| STUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji (8 Seven-Sided Stars) |
STUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji |
STUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji (8 Seven-Sided Stars) |
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| RSTUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji (Photographic instructions) |
RSTUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji |
RSTUVWXYZ by M Leonard |
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| QRSTUVWXYZ by Meenakshi Mukerji |
VWXYZ by Francis Ow (5 Red-Crosses) (Photographic Instructions) |
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More Models
Blintz Icosidodecahedron by Tung Ken Lam: PDF Instructions (6 Pentagons)
Book: Ornamental Origami by Meenakshi Mukerji (2008, 154 pages) has instructions for all her Intersecting Planes models.
Great!