Joseph Choma, founder of Design Topology Lab and an architecture professor at Clemson University, is pioneering work into the field of foldable structures and materials. For the past few years, Choma has been focused on developing a fabrication technique that allows fiberglass to be folded by hand.

While some might compare the technique to origami, Choma's work differs by embracing material and structural constraints. "Traditionally, origami is dominantly composed of hidden under tucked folds, which is not an efficient use of material or ideal for resisting structural loads," he explains. For Choma, the difference is that once a folded plane has a specific orientation to gravity and is considered to have material thickness with the intent of carrying loads, it is no longer 'just origami', but a folded structure. 

One would think folded structures have a long historical lineage within the field of architecture. However, most structures which we casually label as 'folded' are actually folded plate structures, where discrete planar elements are connected at some dihedral angle. Choma's work, on the the other hand, literally folds materials at the architectural scale.

On, why is folding important to the field of architecture, Choma explains: "Folding is a systematic method that transforms planar material into three-dimensional rigid structures. Depending on the organization of folds, structures can be flat-packed for ease of transport. By beginning with a flat plane, there is the potential to reduce production costs associated with manufacturing parts with curvature. Additionally, there are numerous variations possible with one systematic method." 

Choma's current work-in-progress uses computation-based simulation and analysis to design stronger lightweight structures. Simultaneously, he is developing more efficient methods to manufacture parts in direct dialogue with industry sponsors and collaborators. He is motivated by the possibilities associated with translating paper folding into materials which have the potential to scale-up. He hopes his research into foldable composites will allow a new range of structures which have yet to be physically realized.