Parc de la Villette

probably the most iconic pieces of the park, the follies act as architectural representations of deconstruction. in architecture, a folly is a building constructed primarily for decoration, but either suggesting by its appearance some other purpose, or merely so extravagant that it transcends the normal range of garden ornaments or other class of building to which it belongs. thirty-five follies are placed on a grid and offer a distinct organization to the park. architecturally, the follies are meant to act as points of reference that help visitors gain a sense of direction and navigate throughout the space.[10] while the follies are meant to exist in a deconstructive vacuum without historical relation, many have found connections between the steel structures and the previous buildings that were part of the old industrial fabric of the area.[11] today, the follies remain as cues to organization and direction for park visitors. some of them house restaurants, information centers, and other functions associated with the park's needs.