Patio Block - Interlocking puzzle by Stewart Coffin (STC #82)

Patio Block

Interlocking puzzle by Stewart Coffin (STC #82)

Assemble the eight pieces into a 4x4x4 cube.

Patio Block is classic Stewart Coffin: a simple, elegant idea gives rise to an unexpectedly challenging assembly puzzle. Coffin wrote of the ideas behind its design:

"Start by joining 1x2x2 blocks all ten possible ways. Now put aside the two that are rectangular solids. Try fitting the other eight into a 4x4x4 box until you become convinced that it is impossible. Try eliminating one and duplicating another until they not only fit but do so with interesting symmetry."

If you enjoy this puzzle, you might also try Coffin's related design Cube-16, an interlocking puzzle based on the same idea of joining 1x2x2 blocks.

Printing Instructions

Print either coffin.patio-block.stl or coffin.patio-block-smaller.stl. I prefer the larger version, but the smaller one will use around 40% less material. Optionally, you may also print a box to hold the pieces in place in their solved state when not in use (as shown in the cover photo) - be sure to use the box model whose size matches the pieces you print.

The Printable Puzzle Project

The Printable Puzzle Project aims to make available high-quality open-source models of many puzzle designs. All of our models are posted with the generous permission of their designers and are licensed for non-commercial use only. Anyone may print copies for their own personal use, but selling or otherwise monetizing them is not permitted, and puzzle designers retain all rights as copyright holders of their work.

Our puzzles are modeled using the open-source puzzlecad library. The .scad file is included with this model in case you want to modify any of its design parameters; more information on how to do this can be found in the PPP Puzzle Modeling tutorial.

About the Designer

Stewart Coffin has been called "the most outstanding designer and maker of interlocking puzzles that the world has ever seen". He is credited with over four hundred designs, has pioneered numerous ingenious puzzle forms, and has written extensively about puzzle design and craftsmanship. More information on Coffin, along with many other printable models of his designs, can be found on the Stewart Coffin Puzzles overview page.

Happy puzzling!