Folly: C

7,000 cubic ft - Playground equipment

The Folly is designed to nurture children’s growth and discovery through play. Play is children’s work: the means by which they explore their bodies, build relationships, develop problem-solving skills, and learn to collaborate.

The Folly’s rigor and consistency arise from its geometric foundation: a plan composed of two ovals that create a double foci. This geometry informs a parametric model that calibrates scale, program, size, and orientation to generate flexible yet buildable designs. Each iteration of the Folly is fully customizable and developed in collaboration with its users, ensuring every structure uniquely reflects their imagination and needs. The version shown here includes two slides, a fort, a climbing wall, portals, light wells, a wading pool, a beach/bench, a nap nook, and a tea table.

Constructed from carbon-neutral mass plywood panels harvested from early-growth renewable forests, the Folly uses low-emission, non-formaldehyde adhesives. Cross-grain lamination provides structural strength, eliminating the need for additional materials or excess transport. A Folly can also incorporate a photovoltaic (PV) skin to generate solar power, returning energy to the user or the grid.

Designed for longevity and sustainability, the Folly supports both construction and deconstruction. Helical screw-pile foundations and standalone systems allow it to be repositioned or relocated entirely. Every component is recyclable: PV panels can be repurposed as plastic, and the wood can either biodegrade naturally or be reused. Once fabricated, a Folly can be assembled collectively in a barn-raising event or through a modular, piece-by-piece process, making it accessible to builders of all ages and abilities.

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Design Bureau, Another Pamphlet

DESIGN TEAM

Kristina Kesler, Gustavo Bonet, Nathanial Carter, Liana Muresan, Craig Rosman

CONSULTING ENGINEER

Buro Happold - Steven Baumgartner, Cristobal Correa