Each year since 2014, the Naomi Milgrom Foundation – supporter of arts, design and architecture, has commissioned an architect to design a pavilion to become the focus of a free summer program of events promoting design awareness. At the end of each season, the MPavilion is gifted to the people of Victoria and relocated to a new permanent home for community access. MPavilion is Australia’s leading architecture commission and community-focused structure.
The 2022 MPavilion was designed by internationally acclaimed Bangkok-based architecture and design practice, all(zone). The temporary structure, located in Queen Victoria Gardens, was designed and delivered by a female-led team, led by Design Director of all(zone) Rachaporn Choochuey.
The vibrant and inviting structure is a complex combination of flexible materials across a triple layer of canopy, that explores the potential of fabric and tensile architecture at every step. The outer layer is constructed from fishing nets, giving the pavilion a tactile texture. The middle layer is a waterproof tensile conic roof created from cutting-edge STFE membrane supplied by the French manufacturer, Serge Ferrari. STFE membrane is a transparent glass, ten times lighter than a glass-metal solution and is the first time this technology has been used in Australia. The bottom layer is a waffle-coloured fabric of 48 individual sections that move with the wind and filter light. At night the pavilion is illuminated to reveal the complexity of the highly engineered structure.
The structure is designed to be light and temporary whilst also serving a series of unpredictable conditions in its second life when the pavilion is relocated to its permanent home at the end of the season. The all(zone) MPavilion is a minimum form of architecture that embraces sustainability by considering the pavilion’s lifespan and the materials and building methods used for construction.
AECOM is honoured to continue our partnership with the Naomi Milgrom Foundation for the third year, and provide our technical knowledge to designing, testing and working with innovative materials used for the first time in Australia.
Design director of all(zone) Rachaporn Choochuey said: “Working on the MPavilion project with so many talented individuals has been an incredible journey. MPavilion is special because even though it’s called a temporary pavilion, it’s actually even more complex than a building. The engineering and manufacturing have been a huge step forward for us in understanding the possibilities of fabric-based architecture.
MPavilion is one of the most exciting projects we have ever worked on. In addition to the creative visions of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, the entire team is really passionate and committed to excellence regardless of the size of the project. Everyone is a powerful collaborative engine pushing every step forward with infinite energy. It has been really fun and intense. We are very happy and honoured to be working in such an environment.”
The Naomi Milgrom Foundation added “to bring all(zone)’s vision to life, a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers and builders from AECOM, Tensys, Schiavello and Serge Ferrari collaborated and supported each other to design, test and work with materials used for the first time in Australia, a testament to their talent and expertise”.
Image: Casey Horsfield
Services
AECOM is a proud MPavilion partner providing structural, facades and fire engineering services and advice to the design team. Our involvement with MPavilion showcases our ability to work at all scales and collaborate with the best designers worldwide to create innovative, elegant and inspiring structures.
Awards
- Gold, Architectural Design, Good Design Awards (2023)
- Gold, Social Impact, Good Design Awards (2023)
- Winner, Cultural, Built Design Awards (2023)
- Winner, Cultural, Art and Educational, Design Anthology Awards (2023)
- Jury Winner, Architecture + Colour, Architizer A+ Awards (2023)
- Award of Merit, Place, Designers Australia Awards (2023)
