fronts onto the gardens. Reminiscent of an unfinished cut-out paper model, the artwork reveals the process, labour and skill of building as a visible experience. Fold-up offers a new perspective on the familiar and overlooked structures within the city, and creates a dialogue between the historic heart of Sunniside and the modern developments that are transforming this area of the city.

The project was constructed and sponsored by Sunderland-based company r.Bau Ltd. Specialising in continental building technologies, their collaborations with Wolfgang Weileder have been an opportunity for r.Bau Ltd to demonstrate their workmanship throughout Europe. Company director Paul Webster and his team were particularly proud to be creating their most complex project to date for their home town. The speed with which fold-up has been built was achieved with dry-joint blocks which slot together without traditional mortar. For this project r.Bau Ltd has been joined by apprentices from Newcastle College, who were providing much of the joinery and roofing products and additional labour. Fold-up was a unique opportunity to learn a new technique and a high-profile showcase for their skills.

The project was developed and supported by Sunderland City Council’s Arts Team and formed part of a major programme of temporary and permanent public art commissions throughout the city. After the completion, the artwork was dismantled by r.Bau Ltd and the materials supplied were recycled.

A documentary film and still photography recorded the build process and the completed project. The long exposure photographs will be shown in future exhibitions nationally and internationally. A publication of the project is also planned.