The architectural folly is an opportunity for architects to bring out their eccentric side in the design process, which makes it an entertaining approach when creating a (temporary) public installation. In this spirit, the Socrates Sculpture Park and The Architectural League of New York hosts the international Folly competition. Launched in 2012, the competition calls for early-career architects and designers to submit proposals that are described as contemporary interpretations of the architectural folly. The winning entry is then constructed as a temporary public outdoor installation at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, New York City.

Cambridge and Philadelphia-based practice Ibañez Kim Studio was announced as the Folly 2015 winner with their design, "Torqueing Spheres". IK Studio's distinctive proposal features a series of connected spherical forms that form a social-interactive space.

More project details below.

"Torqueing Spheres combines a simple concept – a straight line – with complex spherical pods which become deep, self-supporting chambers to create experiences for both the collective and the individual. To construct the voluminous curves of Torqueing Spheres, IK Studio has implemented a material technique that uses a cost-effective method of bending plywood while maintaining a system of control and delivery. By blending folly formalism with innovative material techniques, IK Studio plays off of traditional architectural geometries to create new construction spaces that allow for exploration."

Previous Folly winners include SuralArk by Austin+Mergold (2014); tree wood by Toshihiro Oki architect p.c. (2013,); and Curtain by Jerome K Haferd and Brandt Knapp, which won the inaugural competition in 2012.

Torqueing Spheres will open to the public on May 17 at Socrates Sculpture Park from 3-6 p.m., and will be displayed until August 30, 2015.

The 2015 Folly jury included David Benjamin (The Living); Leslie Gill (Architect); Sheila Kennedy (Kennedy & Violich Architecture); Alyson Shotz (Artist); and Socrates Sculpture P ark Executive Director John Hatfield.

Want more inspiration for outdoor pavilions/installations? Check out Archinect's previous Serpentine Pavilion posts.