La Folie Douce in the French Alps

The Folie Douce project explores the transformative power of architecture to turn a purely functional element into a sculptural landmark that resonates with its surroundings. Commissioned for the vibrant alpine venue of La Folie Douce in Val d’Isère, the installation was conceived as an architectural response to the need for a telecommunications antenna tower. Rather than hiding this infrastructure or treating it as a visual intrusion, Mamou-Mani reimagined it as an opportunity for storytelling, identity, and connection to place.

The project’s conceptual foundation lies in the poetic movement of a skier descending a mountain, a dynamic, flowing gesture that inspired the tower’s vertical and spiralling form. This movement, contrasted with the towering stillness of the surrounding alpine peaks, becomes a metaphor for harmony between human activity and the raw landscape. The structure was conceived to be so light and delicately integrated that it evokes the image of an eagle resting on the edge of the building, a moment of stillness and grace, barely touching yet entirely present. The result is a design that captures the spirit of the ski resort: freedom, elegance, and energy, all embedded within a highly engineered structure.

Within strict spatial and technical limits, the team designed a 15-metre tower on a compact 6 by 5 metre footprint. Using advanced parametric tools, a custom skin of 3D-printed bio-resin shingles was developed and engineered as a complex tensile structure in collaboration with Format Engineers. Rather than enclosing the antenna equipment in a conventional frame, the design features a lightweight and breathable envelope composed of these printed shingles, supported by a timber framework and tensioned cables. The result is a structure that feels both technically precise and visually delicate, seamlessly integrated into its alpine environment.

The goal was to create an iconic identity that would be recognised internationally while blending seamlessly into the alpine environment. A structure that feels both bold and joyful with animated LED that creates movement responding to the music.

From nearby views, like the cable car or the terrace of La Fruitière, the tower stands out as a sculptural presence. It offers a new way to integrate infrastructure into natural and touristic settings with elegance and purpose.

Symbolism & Sustainability

The project celebrates a harmonious relationship between technology and nature. It redefines utility infrastructure as a sculptural intervention that speaks to sustainability, context sensitivity, and design-led innovation. The open lattice structure minimises material use while maximising visual impact, ensuring the tower feels both grounded and weightless.

The structure rests on a restricted 6 by 5 metre platform and rises to a height of 15m to meet the technical requirements for antenna placement. A timber lattice supports Bio-resin shingles and a high-tension Dyneema or polyamide net, providing a lightweight yet durable envelope that visually integrates with its mountainous setting. At 11 metres, a discreet access platform and cage ladder facilitate maintenance of the antenna system contained within.

The antenna boxes, each 2.7m tall, are strategically spaced within a 6m vertical band and positioned within 800mm of the ladder to ensure 320-degree coverage. While technical in function, the form remains sculptural and expressive.