Hello yellow
From BlackWhite magazine - issue 11, green thumb
An inspired new folly project in vivacious Resene Broom has become a beacon for visitors at Brick Bay.
Near the Matakana coast just north of Auckland, a bold new architectural gem has risen from the landscape. As the latest winning Brick Bay Folly project, it’s no ordinary structure, but rather a design experiment in the purest sense – where form has been liberated from function and imagination has taken the reins. Titled Yellow Post, the 11m high folly is the 10th such project to be completed and displayed at Brick Bay among its revered sculpture trail and winery. The annual competition offers emerging architects and designers a rare opportunity: the chance to try their hand at building a temporary pavilion that they’ve designed themselves.
The term folly has come to describe architectural gestures that sit somewhere between art and design, untethered by strict utility but rich in conceptual and spatial exploration. Yellow Post carries that lineage forward with an evocative design that honours the cultural legacy of traditional Māori hākari stages, monumental timber platforms constructed by iwi in the Northland settlement of Kororāreka used for celebration, congregation and the sharing of kai (food).
Consisting of twelve tapered glulam posts connected by horizontal trusses draped with fabric ‘sails’ that catch the wind and create a shifting mass that plays with light and shadow, Yellow Post is the creation of George Culling, Oliver Prisk, Henry Mabin and André Vachias. The group met while studying at Victoria University of Wellington and have been able to keep close ever since. Oliver was the first to learn about the competition and convinced the others to collaborate on a design. “We saw it as an exciting opportunity to do something together outside our usual 9-5 routines and were equally captivated by the stunning landscape at Brick Bay where it was to be sited. The chance to craft a meaningful response to such a unique setting was something we were all thrilled about,” he says.
The team first learned about hākari during university lectures with Dr. Robin Skinner and seeing paintings by European settlers of these enchanting structures further sparked the team’s curiosity. Using native hardwoods latched together with vines, these enormous towers were often only erected for a few days as a marker for important ceremonies before being disassembled. Aware of the colonial lens through which they were viewing the hākari, the team consulted with local iwi Ngāti Manuhiri to understand the perspective from Te Ao Māori before moving forward with the development of their design.
As graduate architects, every team member that has been involved in the competition over the years learnt how to design structures in school, but only a select few have had prior experience with building or carpentry before getting stuck into constructing their folly. Luckily, like the previous Brick Bay Folly teams before them, André, George, Henry and Oliver were supported by professional construction, engineering and architecture mentors including Pip Cheshire from Cheshire Architects, Steve Cassidy from Cassidy Construction, Peter Boardman from Structure Design and Keith Mann from Unitec’s School of Architecture.
To help strategise how the team would bring their design from concept to reality, they created a 1:1 node model which ended up playing a crucial role in shaping their construction methodology. The model enabled them to test building sequences, node configurations, fix techniques and work out how the fabric would be integrated. Constructed at George and Oliver’s flat, the model was always readily available for quick design experiments. It also provided an opportunity to test paint application methods, assess timing and explore how their shortlisted Resene colour options would contrast with the surrounding natural vegetation on site.
Resene Broom, the paint colour used to give Yellow Post its iconic hue, was chosen for its cheerful vibrancy and ability to stand out against the site’s surrounding greenery. On a clear day, the bold yellow contrasts beautifully against blue skies and transformed the structure into a welcoming beacon for visitors on the sculpture trail. “No matter where you are at Brick Bay, you will see it and it will greet you,” George says. Images by Sam Harnett.
“From a structural standpoint, the most significant development that came out of that exercise was the introduction of a split beam system which we could rapidly prototype and evaluate using the node model,” Oliver says. “Viewing the design process at a human scale proved invaluable, offering insight into how the detailing would appear on the final built structure.”
Sustainability has become a key consideration for on Brick Bay Folly builds. Recent folly winners have been able to repurpose components from previous projects that have been decommissioned. However, since this year saw the introduction of third folly site at Brick Bay, no folly was disassembled. For Yellow Post, the team strategised alternative ways to make sure their folly could also have a considered approach to sustainability, which largely focused on ways it could be reused by future competition winners. For materials, they chose sustainably sourced glulam timber, Eco choice approved Resene primer and paint, stainless steel fixings and fabric. They also chose screw piles over typical concrete foundation solutions, which limited the ground excavation required for install and removal and maximised the reusability of their materials.
The team spent months painting and assembling the folly’s 172 pieces of timber. The materials were painted and prepared off-site before being transported and installed on location over a four-week period. On site construction was led by another of the team’s former classmates, building apprentice Elliot Western, who proved to be an extremely valuable resource.
Oliver says one of the most challenging aspects of the on-site build was aligning the posts with the screw pile foundation system. “Each of the 12 posts had to align precisely with the corresponding screw piles, which proved especially difficult with the tapered posts on the outside. Compounding the issue, the day of the screw pile installation brought severe rain and wind that made the excavated site dangerously slippery. As a result, two of the screw piles were shifted 40mm from their set out locations. To compensate, we had to make slight adjustments to the positions of the tapered posts to achieve proper alignment. This required quick thinking and problem-solving on site to find a practical solution,” he explains.
The time required to prime and paint each of the facets of the many timber components was also a lengthy process. The team would gather at Unitec after work and paint until late in the evening from the start of November through Christmas break. By the time it was all done and dusted, they had used approximately 20 litres of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer for the undercoat and 40 litres of Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss acrylic enamel for the coloured topcoats. “The application of the topcoats took time and care so that we could achieve the finish we wanted,” says Oliver. “We were learning on the job, so a lot of mistakes were made. But by the end, we understood how to achieve a smooth finish on the timber.”
The team knew they needed a striking colour to complement the tower’s bold architectural form, which greets visitors at the start and end of the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. “We explored a range of different yellows using the online Resene Colour Library and eventually selected Resene Broom after extensive testing. Digital renderings were followed by physical trials using Resene testpots on timber offcuts and our 1:1 node model. We were drawn to the vibrant contrast Resene Broom created against the natural hues of the surrounding landscape, how it subtly shifts with changes in light and weather and remains visible and dynamic from various vantage points around the property. The vibrancy of the yellow not only amplifies the tower’s visual presence but also evokes a sense of celebration and gathering, making it a defining feature of the project,” Oliver explains.
Standing tall in its sunny hue, Yellow Post is testament to team’s collaboration, curiosity and craft. As visitors wander the winding Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, the vivid structure invites them to gather, pause and reflect on the cultural significance of its form. Like the Māori hākari before it, Yellow Post is proof that even the most temporary of structures can leave a lasting impression.
Meet the team
George Culling
Where did you grow up? Did you always want to be an architect?
I grew up in Tauranga and have always had an interest in objects, light and making things. I really enjoyed learning analogue technical drawing in high school – which we were quite lucky to have been taught – and I think that combined with my interests in spaces, furniture and design formed my pathway into architecture.
What was your favourite part of the Brick Bay Folly experience?
What was your favourite part of the Brick Bay Folly experience?
Working with the fellas in the group and, to be fair, all the people involved. The competition has a very strong support network and everyone is very willing to help or point you in the right direction.
Are there any types of projects you are hoping to specialise in during your career?
Too early to say. The goal is to make beautiful things beautifully.
What would be a dream project for you to work on?
Either my own space to test ideas or a large-scale gallery space for the same reason.
What do you like about Resene?
Resene shows a lot of support for our design and architecture community in NZ, many great events and spaces we go to are because of this generous support.
What is your current favourite Resene colour?
Resene Quarter Akaroa. We’ve just moved into a new office space, which we painted in this colour. Not only has it completely refreshed the space, but the colour also feels sympathetic and complementary to the character features such as the large steel trusses, exposed concrete columns and beams.
Henry Mabin
Where did you grow up? Did you always want to be an architect?
I grew up in Christchurch then moved to Wellington to study architecture after high school. I have resided in Auckland for the past two years, where I have embarked on my first career job. I always knew I wanted to be a maker, designer or inventor – someone who created, but not necessarily an architect. This fell into place as I converted those wants into a tangible outcome though a medium in which I could achieve that goal.
What was your favourite part of the Brick Bay Folly experience?
What was your favourite part of the Brick Bay Folly experience?
The opportunity to have complete creative direction as a team over something that would actually be built – and, even better, built by us. There was a parallel journey unfolding as we moved through the design process, something more personal. It was bond forming experiencing something as mates that we may never get the opportunity to do again (although I hope so!).
Are there any types of projects you are hoping to specialise in during your career?
Boutique residential design is something that interests me, however, my dream is to be a maker across multiple disciplines and typologies. I have a passion for designing and building furniture and sculpture, so integrating those types of projects into my daily job as a designer would be amazing.
What would be a dream project for you to work on?
A dream project for me would be to design and build and number of retreats deep in the native New Zealand bush or coastal regions that would be small in scale yet crafted and customised down to the doorknobs. I like the idea of designing places that provide an escape from busy urban lifestyles while creating unique experiences within our beautiful landscape.
What do you like about Resene?
Resene’s presence in the design community and beyond gives opportunities and exposure to young designers through their many different initiatives. This is important to people like us, who are embarking upon a career in the industry. A platform like Brick Bay Folly, which Resene sponsors, is an awesome opportunity for graduates to showcase their skills.
What is your current favourite Resene colour?
Resene Broom, the colour we used to paint Yellow Post, which I think it will remain my favourite for a while. It beautifully contrasts against the blue sky up at Brick Bay on a clear day.
Oliver Prisk
Where did you grow up? Did you always want to be an architect?
I was born and raised in Timaru, New Zealand. After graduating at Victoria University in Wellington, I moved up to Auckland. I have always considered myself a creative person, which sparked my interest in architectural practice. I have a passion for design, drawing, model making and was also inspired by my dad, who has his own architecture firm in Timaru.
What was your favourite part of the Brick Bay Folly experience?
What was your favourite part of the Brick Bay Folly experience?
Camping on site with the team for two weeks and bringing the concept to life was an amazing experience. We were incredibly fortunate to work in such a beautiful landscape, and being in that environment with my mates learning on the job was a great memory. In saying that, I also loved the very early stages of the project in the early design phase when the concept and design were being explored. This involved iterative sketches, digital drawings and hundreds of notes refining the concept.
Are there any types of projects you are hoping to specialise in during your career?
I have a passion for residential design, which I am currently working on at Jasmax. This project has definitely sparked an interest in sculptural and installation design.
What would be a dream project for you to work on?
I would love to do alterations to my home in Timaru. Having grown up there and it being a multi-generation home for my family, it would be a privilege to leave an imprint on the house – particularly because some parts of the house have not been renovated in a while! I also have a deep understanding of the spaces and it would be great to be able incorporate that into the design process.
What do you like about Resene?
After our experience on this project, it’s become clear that Resene has a passion for supporting young designers, which is always encouraging. They were also a great help in aiding us in selecting the correct products and the best methods to apply them.
What is your current favourite Resene colour?
I love the yellow we used on our project, Resene Broom. Colour was such an important element in the design, not just in how it looked physically but what it meant poetically. The bold yellow colour enhances the tower’s role as a beacon, making a strong visual statement that contrasts yet harmonises with the surrounding natural environment.
André Vachias
Where did you grow up? Did you always want to be an architect?
I grew up in Auckland. I didn’t know I wanted to be an architect until about a year into university, but I always knew I wanted to be in a creative industry.
What was your favourite part of the Brick Bay Folly experience?
What was your favourite part of the Brick Bay Folly experience?
The construction phase was great; it’s where the rubber hits the tarmac and where the hard prep work pays off. At that point there was no other distractions, just us and the folly.
Are there any types of projects you are hoping to specialise in during your career?
At this stage I am eager to try everything. I really enjoy medium to large scale civic projects.
What would be a dream project for you to work on?
I would love to be involved in more sculptural work again like another folly or a pavilion, perhaps. Alternatively, designing my own home would be amazing.
What do you like about Resene?
One thing that stood out to me was how friendly and helpful Resene’s service is. I was provided the online specifications for the project immediately, and in store, the staff were willing to help me with anything and answer any questions.
What is your current favourite Resene colour?
Before entering the competition, I was already wanting the colour to be a yellow or a burnt orange, as I had an orange desk growing up. But I would probably paint my front door Resene Big Bang, if I could.
› For details on how to experience Yellow Post and the rest of the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail in person, visit the Brick Bay website.
Colours and products mentioned in this article
