koryo miura is a pioneer. he's an aerospace engineer who came across origami as he was studying how to package satellites. miura says folding methods can bring out a materials potential. folded fabric easily expands to cover a large surface area. folding in a way that provides even weight distribution adds strength. >> translator: we could also think about how concepts of origami can give products added value. >> reporter: origami has expanded to other fields. it's attracting increasing attention from architects. organizers of an international science conference in tokyo last month included an origami session. >> ability for folding to be a transformative construct for us to create real devices, machines, things that can improve the lives of people. >> reporter: some studies of why origami concepts to construction materials. a sheet of metal is folded into a honeycomb structure. the material is strong and lightweight and can be made at relatively low cost with reduced waste. >> translator: i think we can come