A rational approach for the construction of multi-stranded artificial β-sheets based not on hydrogen bonding, but rather on π-π aromatic stacking, is presented. Using 4,6-dinitro-1,3-phenylenediamine units, rigid turns were designed that allow face-to-face π-π interactions between appended linear aromatic segments to be strong enough for folding in an organic solvent, but weak enough to prevent aggregation