Lexus IS built from cardboard is a driveable piece of art

Dubbed the Lexus Origami Car, the cardboard IS was designed and created by London-based firm LaserCut Works and Scales and Models, and took around three months to build.

Lexus provided the cardboard artisans with a 3D CAD (computer aided design) model of the latest-generation IS sedan.

The team then stripped the car back to its individual components, such as the exterior body, seats, wheels, steering wheel, doors, and so forth, to come up with the individual 3D models that could be dissected into cardboard elements, which were then laser cut and hand assembled.

According to Ruben Marcos, the founder of LaserCut, "there were some elements of trial and error", with the free-spinning wheels and the seats the most difficult items to design, manufacture and glue together.

All up, the Origami IS is constructed from 1700 sheets of 10mm thick cardboard with adjoining slices stuck together with a water-based wood glue that takes around 10 minutes to set.

The various pieces are mounted on top of a steel and aluminium frame. Inside this frame is small set of rubber wheels and an electric motor, allowing the cardboard IS to move around under its own steam. The car also features functioning doors and headlights.

The cardboard Lexus IS will be on display at the Grand Designs Live show in Birmingham, UK, from October 8.