Making a icosidodecahedron

Introduction -- Making the Modules -- Making the Polyhedra -- Jim's Origami Page
The icosidodecahedron has 20 triangular faces and 12 pentagonal faces. There are 30 vertices at which two triangular and two pentagonal faces meet in alternation. It has 60 edges, all of which are triangle/pentagon hybrid (tr--pe).

The best coloration I found for this one is to use 20 modules each of three colors. Take color 1 and make the top and bottom pentagons. Take color 2, and complete the triangles around each of these pentagons. This will take all 20 modules of color 2. Take color 3, and form the two edges of the remaining triangles that attach to the triangles of color 2. This will take all 20 modules of color 3. The remaining 10 modules of color 1 form a decagonal band around the middle of the polyhedron, attaching the two halves you have just created.

It is also possible to divide the edges of this polyhedron into six decagonal bands. Unfortunately, it is hard to get six colors to look nice together.


A Penultimate Icosidodecahedron (side and top views)


The icosidodecahedron


Jim Plank --- Jim's Origami Page