We are celebrating 15 years — and counting — of stories that are deeply researched and deeply felt, that build a historical record of what the city has been.
We are celebrating 15 years — and counting — of stories that are deeply researched and deeply felt, that build a historical record of what the city has been.
Inside SuralArk at Socrates Sculpture Park | Courtesy of Nate Dorr
Last fall, The Architectural League and Socrates Sculpture Park put out a call for the third season of Folly, a competition exploring contemporary interpretations of the architectural folly. Follies are small-scale structures created to frame a view or serve as a conversation piece, usually sited in a garden or landscape. Although their purpose is often ambiguous, follies allow designers to explore materiality, spatial interaction, and concepts about our urban and natural environment.
SuralArk, by firm Austin + Mergold, took this year’s first prize. The winning team, composed of Jason Timberlake Austin and Aleksandr Mergold, will receive a grant and two-month residency at Socrates Sculpture Park in addition to the opportunity to build the full-scale project in the park. The installation will be unveiled to the public on May 11, 2014 and will be on view through August 3, 2014. For a closer look at the winning design (including comments from the jury), and ten other notable proposals that reveal some recurring themes in this year’s field of more than 170 submissions, check out the League’s online feature on Folly 2014. And be sure to head out to the sculpture park in person to interact with SuralArk.
Time & Place
May 11–August 3, 2014
Opening picnic: Sunday, May 11, 2014, 2:00–6:00pm
Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11106
Hours: Open everyday, 10:00am to sunset
Tickets
Free and open to all; no reservations necessary.
SuralArk sketch | Courtesy of Austin + Mergold
The views expressed here are those of the authors only and do not reflect the position of The Architectural League of New York.