Folie Progression

Starting off with the idea of using several large concrete cubes formed into a ‘mound’ that appears heavy, artificial, intimidating etc. we evolved the design several time to enhance the sense of discomfort, or self unimportance.

Realising that our folie could only be a maximum of 5m high and that the existing elements on the site (the Story Bridge and the Cliffs) dwarfed this, we decided to take advantage of the cliff face to enhance the use of intimidating scale.

By putting the folie against the cliffs and having a slit cut into the roof, only a small amount of light can penetrate the space, drawing the occupants’ attention. By looking up and out of the slice, the occupant can see the vast height of the cliff face, immediately becoming humbled by the intimidating form.

By cutting into the cliff face and using the natural rock face as part of the design also enhanced the disturbing feeling of helplessness and isolation.

To develop the disconnection to reality, and to eliminate light from a doorway, it was decided that the entrance should be an experience where the occupant must walk through an angled corridor to enter the cavernous space inside. To increase the sense of height of the cliffs, it was also decided that this entrance way should lead down a flight of stairs.

Concerned that an occupant would not receive the message of how small they and their problems are in comparison to the rest of the world, it was decided that the internal space should be fitted with invisible screens that flicker to life when the space is occupied. It is designed so that a small screen comes to life showing real time footage of the occupant in the space, then this small screen is dominated with numerous larger screens illustrating historic achievements and devastations, putting into perspective the occupant, deconstructing the self-centred point of view.

When determining the exact location to put the folie, we discussed what should be seen when looking up through the slit in the roof, and what should be seen when exiting the bridge. From these conditions, we sought a space along the cliff with limited vegetation and where the Story Bridge would be seen upon exit, reiterating the images on grand scale achievements from the screens.

The folie can be seen in the small box at the base of the cliffs

To relate the folie back to the site yet maintaining a distorted perspective, it was also determined that distorted reflective metal, like that of the “Bean” in Chicago, would be mixed with the concrete blocks on the exterior.