Description:

Femme-ly Velues is the 2024 winning entry in Brick Bay's annual Folly competition. The design is a fresh, joyful project that intertwines commentary on feminist politics with architectural design here in Aotearoa. The name suggests a design crafted using valued skills passed to us from our months, skills that enrich our toolkit as designers - said with the twist of a New Zealand accent - grounding it in context, and bringing a smile to our face.

This year marks a historic milestone as it is the first time an all-women team has won the competition. Their design makes a powerful statement about the role of women in architecture and construction, highlighting the role of feminine-coded expression through the medium of ornament as architecture. Inspired by fabric crafts, the folly celebrates traditional skills passed down through matriarchal lines while reimagining these crafts within an architectural context. This creates a compelling narrative that blends art, sustainability, and feminist ideology, often using verbs like sewing, knitting, and stitching to poetically describe the architectural process.

Given the isolated site of Brick Bay, all components had to be meticulously transported from Wellington, where most of the team was based. The construction process embraced sustainability by utilizing materials that were either recycled, recyclable, or easily transportable. With a limited construction crew and tight budget, efficient and innovative building techniques were essential.
The structure is built to last three years, embodying the concept of multi-generational design by recycling the existing Folly The Nest, the timber of this folly now on its third life. This approach goes beyond simply using recycled materials as a tool; it integrates the principles of reuse and learning into the very concept of the folly, encouraging visitors to reflect on the value of repurposing and the lifecycle of materials.

Femme-ly Velues presents a design exploring the notion of a ‘feminine’ style, celebrating the beauty and intricacy of fabric crafts such as sewing, weaving, and stitching, often honed by women and represented through small ornamental gestures, often only a small part of a building. By embedding these elements within the architectural framework, the folly not only serves as a visually striking addition to the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail but also sparks a dialogue on the intersection of gender, art, and architecture.

Femme-ly Velues champions regenerative outcomes across social, cultural, environmental, and economic dimensions. The project's use of recyclable and transportable materials, along with easily removable foundations, ensures minimal ecological impact and facilitates the natural restoration of the site.

Socially and culturally, the project makes a bold statement by celebrating femininity and diversity in a highly visible manner. As the first all-women team to win the competition, Femme-ly Velues brings attention to the contributions of women in architecture and construction, promoting gender inclusivity and inspiring future generations.

Overall, Femme-ly Velues embodies a holistic approach to regeneration, intertwining social justice, cultural celebration, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality. This folly is not just an addition to the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail; it a statement, a piece that elevates the discourse on sustainability, inclusivity, and the transformative power of architecture - truly grabbing the opportunity by the balls.