Rainbow Folly, Long Island Structure, New York Design, USA Architecture, Project, Architect

Rainbow Folly, New York

New Structure for Socrates Sculpture Park – design by Holm Architecture Office + Sebastian Misiurek

Feb 21, 2013

Rainbow Folly Sculpture

Long Island Competition Entry, New York, USA

Design: Holm Architecture Office + Sebastian Misiurek

The Rainbow Folly is situated within the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City by the East river overlooking Manhattan.

image from architect

The original architectural folly of the 19th century created focal points within manicured landscapes. The folly sought to integrate nature and building in a romantic setting, using predetermined views to create points of interest and enable the visitor to see the surroundings in new ways.

With the Rainbow Folly we propose a similar interaction between the real and the romantic.

images from architect

Deploying utilitarian means and materials, the Rainbow Folly is designed as one continuous band that folds on itself to construct a natural loop, a manmade device creating an immersive replica of its natural counterpart.

While the Rainbow Folly from afar seems uninhabitable, a singular object without entry points, once approached it reveals three openings, allowing visitors to enter and occupy the rainbow’s center.

images from architect

Once inside, the surrounding world is viewed through undulating colors, at times overlapping, creating new tones, variations and realities. The Rainbow Folly acts as a playful filter upon the outside world.

“With the Rainbow Folly we wanted to offer visitors the rare opportunity to see the world in a new light by heightening aspects of the surroundings and creating a completely new perspective: a view from within the Rainbow”. – Jens Holm, Founder, HAO / Holm Architecture Office

images from architect

Rainbow Folly Sculpture – Building Information

Name: Rainbow
Place: Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City
Type: Open competition
Size: 1200 SF / 120 M2
Program: Landscape & Pavilion
Collaborators: Sebastian Misiurek
Status: Pending

Rainbow Folly images / information received from HAO / Holm Architecture Office and Sebastian Misiurek

HAO / Holm Architecture Office

Socrates Sculpture Park is the only site in the New York Metropolitan area specifically dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to create and exhibit large-scale sculpture and multi-media installations in a unique outdoor environment that encourages strong interaction between artists, artworks and the public.

The park’s existence is based on the belief that reclamation, revitalization and creative expression are essential to the
survival, humanity and improvement of our urban environment.

Location: Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City, New York, USA