There's a particular kind of magic in folding something that's supposed to stand—a tower, a spire, a little building that holds its own shape against gravity using nothing but clever creases. The origami lighthouse is exactly that: a tall, slender structure that rises from a single rectangular sheet and, with the right folds at the base, stands up all by itself.

What makes this one fun is the starting paper. Instead of a square, you begin with a long rectangle, and that length becomes the lighthouse's height—so a longer sheet simply means a taller tower. Over 23 steps you'll square off the body, open and pull the base so it's stable, and add the finishing touches that make it unmistakably a lighthouse. Let's build one.

STEP 1.

Take along rectangular sheet of paper— the longer your sheet is the taller your lighthouse will be. Fold about 1/3 downward to make a crease and unfold (to make this crease more accurately skip this step and do it after step 3)..

STEP 2.

Fold the top edge to the left edge and unfold.

STEP 3.

Fold the top edge to the right edge and unfold.

STEP 4.

Fold the top part of the item along the creases you’ve made.

STEP 5.

Fold the upper layers of the side corners to meet the center line.

STEP 6.

Open the central triangles and fold them downward to make two squares.

STEP 7.

Fold the central edges of the squares to their top edges.

STEP 8.

Fold the left flap to the right.

STEP 9.

Fold the flap in half and fold it to the left.

STEP 10.

Fold the right flap to the left.

STEP 11.

Fold the flap as previously.

STEP 12.

Bring the inner corners away from each other.

STEP 13.

Fold the bottom part of the item upward.

STEP 14.

Fold the bottom flap in half downward.

STEP 15.

Fold the left part backward.

STEP 16.

Turn the item over.

STEP 17.

Expand the bottom part and pull it downward, folding slantwise.

STEP 18.

Fold the left edge of the flap to the bottom line of the item; then fold the flap upward along the bottom line of the item.

STEP 19.

Fold the left part of the item to the right.

STEP 20.

Expand the bottom part, pull it downward and fold slantwise.

STEP 21.

Fold the bottom part as previously.

STEP 22.

Turn the item over.

STEP 23.

The lighthouse is complete!