Based on the Iris Fold papercraft technique that originated in the Netherlands in the 1980s, involving folding strips of colored paper in a specific pattern to resemble the iris of a camera.

Custom wood garden gate 212 creates a semblance of depth within a two-dimensional plane of fanning folds.

Each folding blade is planed and sculpted along the edges of the corresponding fold. The centerpieces are black acrylic.

The back face of the solid privacy gate 212. Identical but for the absence of inlays and the sculpted depths of the folds.

With a need to offer visibility through the entry gate at eye level, there are a series of openings, highlighted with their inlaid continuums. In essence, a speakeasy with openings large enough to see who’s at your gate, but too small to reach through.

A pair of black gloss acrylic panels fitted within the center of the upper and lower sections of the Iris Fold.
Each of the folds are first hand-planed to taper their edges down to a ¼”-thick tongue that fits into the accepting groove, allowing each fold to breath dimensionally. Following the hand-planing, the edges are sanded to a smooth gradation. Not so dissimilar to the raised-panel doors of interior casework.

T o learn more on how to create this popular technique, Click Here.
Shown below, an inlay continuum carrying into the top gate rail, and elsewhere. A technique seen on several of the other 200 series gates, such as the 211.

In-Progress

Approach the work in sections. Create the joinery for dry-fitting so that each completed section is locked in place for accurate layouts of succeeding sections. If you glue and clamp at this stage, you’ll be unable to assemble the other sections, given the protrusions of their tenons.

Study your layout as it progresses. First thing every morning take the time for a fresh look at where you are and where you’re going.

The finishing inlays are best approached on the easel.