Chinese University Creates Life-Size models of housing structures using paper cardboard

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They say the future lies in the hands of the next generation, and this can be clearly seen in a recent competition held in China. Organised by a Chinese university and open to all university students across the nation, the contest called for teams to develop and build life-sized models of residential structures out of paper cardboard.

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Aside from the material, each structure also had to provide ample stability and reasonable strength against natural elements like wind and earthquake. These are essential criteria that real architects have to contend with when building homes in areas susceptible to tornadoes and earthquakes.

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One surprising thing that arose from the competition was seeing how cardboard can be manipulated to create interesting three-dimensional forms.

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Aside from straight lines, the students also managed to create gentle curves out of the cardboard.

 

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They even created circular structures, simply be using a criss-cross method of arranging the cardboard pieces.

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The competition showed the amazing creativity and imaginative powers of the students and how much potential they possessed in offering new ideas to conventional living structures.

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Most structures were based on the current methods of architectural buildings.

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However, many others played with a range of different shapes and forms.

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The structures resemble gigantic origami creations.

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For this design, octagonal-shaped pieces interlock with each other, creating a versatile system that can be used to create structures of any size.

 

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This idea looks like a deck of playing cards stacked on top of each other.

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The students also had to consider ways to ventilate the internal area of the structure, as well as doorways leading inside.

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Visitors were allowed to wander inside the structures, attesting to their stability and strength.

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In order to create the life-sized models, the students first had to create a scaled-down version for submission to the judges.

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Glue and fasteners were the only materials used in addition to cardboard.

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The paper cardboard demonstrated incredible strength, even when children began clibing on them.

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The beautiful geometric forms created from paper amazed the visitors.

 

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There were traditional looking building blocks as well.

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The students also enjoyed seeing their designs take form.

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They also found ways to add to the resilience of paper material.

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For the visitors, it was the surprise of seeing flat paper become intriguing structures…

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And how much potential the young generation has in coming up with new and different solutions to existing problems.