Folly/Function 2018: Frequently Asked Questions

This page will continue to be updated throughout the duration of the call for proposals. Please check back periodically for updated information.

Click here to return to the Folly/Function 2018 Call for Proposals.
Click here to return to the Folly/Function 2018 Information Session.

RECENTLY ADDED
How many hours should the winner expect to invest in assembling the structures?
Does the fabrication process have a time limit?
How will the structures be transported throughout the park? Will they be driven or carried?

GENERAL
Will the seating be outdoors in all weather? Will it be stored in the winter?
Are there specific conditions under which the structures will be stored when disassembled or folded up (i.e. space limitations for the disassembled structures)?
Can, or should, the proposal consist of copies of the same seating structure?
Does Socrates intend to replicate the seating structure and fabricate more seating in the future? (i.e. should the design be easy to reproduce)?
Are there material restrictions for the seating?
Who owns the rights to the winner’s design?
Can teams apply?
Can non-New York residents apply? Can non-US citizens apply?
Are travel funds provided to recipients from outside of the New York area?
Can I submit more than one proposal?
Is there additional funding?
What are the expectations and limitations for the proposals?
For how long will the winning entry be used?
How movable should the seats be?

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
What assistance does Socrates provide?
What are the Studio facilities?
What tools and equipment does Socrates provide?
How safe must the folly be?
How many people can I have working on the site?
Is there parking near the site?
Can I have materials delivered to the site?
Does Socrates have any building materials that could be used to create the new structures?
How late may I work onsite?
I noticed Socrates has the Emerging Artist Fellowship in the late spring/summer. Will I work with the other artists in residence?
Can I alter my design if I win the competition?

THE ARCHITECTURAL LEAGUE
What support does The Architectural League provide?
Will The Architectural League publicize the folly?
Will the jury select runners-up?

 

RECENTLY ADDED

How many hours should the winner expect to invest in assembling the structures?
It varies from year to year. Winners often complete some pre-fabricated work off-site before bringing structures to the site, but it entirely depends on the scope of your project and its complexity.

Does the fabrication process have a time limit?
The winning entry will be announced in late February, and the structures will be unveiled in early June, so the winner will have just over two months to complete the structures.

How will the structures be transported throughout the park? Will they be driven or carried?
One staff member should be able to carry each seating structure.

GENERAL

Will the seating be outdoors in all weather? Will it be stored in the winter? 
The seating must be able to withstand being outside throughout the spring/summer/fall seasons. Depending on the design, Socrates is prepared to easily disassemble and to store the seating during winter months. We encourage entrants to consider winter wear.

Are there specific conditions under which the structures will be stored when disassembled or folded up (i.e. space limitations for the disassembled structures)?
If the structures are not designed to withstand being outside throughout the winter, they will be stored in a shipping container with other equipment. Ease of disassembly and storage will be a consideration during the review. All disassembled structures should fit into a space of no more than 8 x 8 x 10 feet.

Can, or should, the proposal consist of copies of the same seating structure?
It can, but does not necessarily have to. However, the jury will consider visual unity of the structures.

Does Socrates intend to replicate the seating structure and fabricate more seating in the future? (i.e. should the design be easy to reproduce)?
SSP does not currently have plans to replicate the seating. However, we encourage applicants to think creatively about all possible functionalities of their proposal.

Are there material restrictions for the seating?
Other than its functionality, budgeting, and safety, there are no material restrictions.

Who owns the rights to the winner’s design?
The designers retain the copyrights of their design. SSP reserves the right to reproduce images of the design and produced seats for its own use.

Can teams apply?
Yes. Teams may apply. Please note that regardless of the number of team members, there is only a single production grant of $6,000.

Can non-New York residents apply? Can non-US citizens apply?
The competition is open to all architects and designers.

Are travel funds provided to recipients from outside of the New York area?
There are no funds available for travel or accommodations. Recipients who reside outside of the New York-metro area will be expected to provide their own travel and accommodations for the two-month residency.

Can I submit more than one proposal?
No. Individuals may only submit one proposal, either alone or as part of a team.

Is there additional funding?
Neither Socrates Sculpture Park nor The Architectural League provides additional funding.

What are the expectations and limitations for the proposals?
We are interested in many types of “functional follies” and design practices, which can include prefabrication, entire fabrication on site, or a combination of the two.

For how long will the winning entry be used?
We hope the anticipated life span of each seating structure will be three seasons. Each season is eight months long or 36 months if durable for winter seasons.

How movable should the seats be?
The intent is for park visitors to be able to move them to various locations but not so easily that they leave the park.

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK

What assistance does Socrates provide?
Socrates Sculpture Park’s Studio Manager will work with the winner to fully understand the demands and challenges of the seating construction timeline, maintenance and durability. It is up to the winner to secure materials, labor, construction, and other logistics, all within the allocated funding.

What are the Studio facilities?
The Socrates studio is a completely outdoor space, open to the view of the public. There is a small private space for meetings and laptop use. Some storage space is provided. There is electrical and water access. The Socrates Studios are shared spaces among Folly / Function winners, 15 artist residents, Socrates installation and grounds crew, and education workshop staff.

What tools and equipment does Socrates provide?
The studio has many tools on site (such as welding and woodshop equipment) and Socrates staff will orient and train the winner on the best use of the studio and its tools during any on-site fabrication and installation. Please click here to download a complete list of available equipment.

How safe must the folly be?
The seating structure must be able to withstand the wear and tear of extreme weather exposure (heavy rain and extreme heat) and heavy public interaction. Socrates staff will work closely with the winning applicant to make any necessary structural modifications, suggestions, or additions.

For safety reasons, we will not select any proposal that enables the public to climb to unsafe heights, access hidden or enclosed spaces, or encounter sharp or otherwise hazardous protrusions. Socrates staff will require design modifications to any questionable design feature that poses a potential hazard to the general public.

How many people can I have working on the site?
As many as needed. We encourage winners to have as many helpers as desired.

Is there parking near the site?
Yes, there is street parking along Vernon Boulevard.

Can I have materials delivered to the site?
Yes, deliveries will be received during regular Socrates office hours, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We ask winners to please be available on site for any larger material deliveries, such as lumber or masonry, as Socrates Staff will not be able to negotiate the placement of these deliveries without the architects.

Does Socrates have any building materials that could be used to create the new structures?
Socrates has a stock of previously used materials that Folly / Function designers are welcome to use. However, this stock is limited. Some overstock hardware is also available.

How late may I work onsite?
The park is open from 9 a.m. until sunset every day. Folly winners may work in the studio throughout that time, and special arrangements can be discussed if additional time is needed

I noticed Socrates has the Emerging Artist Fellowship in the late spring/summer. Will I work with the other artists in residence?
Studio facilities are an open, shared work space. The 2018 Emerging Artist Fellowship (EAF18) will overlap with the Folly Program and up to 15 artists-in-residence may be working in the studio during the Folly residency. Facilities will be shared between all of the artists.

Can I alter my design if I win the competition?
After winning the competition, the winners will work closely with Socrates Sculpture Park’s staff and site managers to understand the demands of the winning proposal and discuss possible issues with construction, materials, schedules and siting that may affect the final design.

THE ARCHITECTURAL LEAGUE

What support does The Architectural League provide?
The Architectural League oversees the juried competition. However, after the selection process, Socrates Sculpture Park takes over responsibility for working with the winners.

Will The Architectural League publicize the folly?
Yes, the League will publicize and produce related content of the project online and will compose a post-installation text, which may include an interview.

Will the jury select runners-up?
Yes, the jury will select finalists and notable entries to include with online material.