Poly-Box

Proposal for a functional folly [ competition ]

Socrates Sculpture Park and The Architectural League of New York invited emerging architects and designers to submit proposals for Folly/Function, an annual design/build program. The 2017 competition asked to design and fabricate four portable, demountable structures to replace four standard tent structures that are deployed, as needed, throughout the Park. The structure had to provide shelter from rain, shade from sun, and be secure enough to withstand wind in a waterfront environment. The structure had to be able to be assembled and disassembled in no more than 10–15 minutes by
 maximum two people.

In response to this brief Smeeing and Bogerd proposed the Poly-Box, a bright coloured mobile structure. The footprint of the Poly-Box is defined by the space available within the storage container and the shelter the structure must provide. The structure can easily be removed from the container and rolled to a chosen location. Once the unit is in place and the brakes are on, the structure will unfold to become a freestanding temporary pavilion. The side panels can be opened up to form the roofing and walls, providing shelter from the sun and rain whilst defining the space.

Year : 2017

Collaboration with : Leen Bogerd

When the Poly-Box has opened up, various furniture elements can be removed from the structure and placed in different configurations in and around the pavilion, which makes the unit adaptable for multiple uses. With their bright and colourful appearance, the structures will stand out amongst the surrounding space, forming a visual marker for Socrates and the activities that take place in the Sculpture Park.

Located in Queens, Socrates Sculpture Park is one of the most distinctive cultural organisations in the USA with its combination of waterfront setting, accessibility, and community based programming. It is a venue for art, creative expression, public programming, and education.