AN INGENIOUS CANOPY FOR MELBOURNE: THE 9th MPAVILION BY all(zone), Thailand, OPENS
The final stitch has been sown. The 48th piece of the waffle canopy has been hung. The microphones have been tested (1,2). So, without further ado, we are delighted to say that MPavilion 2022 by all(zone) is officially open!
Designed to celebrate being outdoors, the vibrant, textural MPavilion’s standout feature is its ingenious canopy—comprising three layers that explore the potential of fabric and tensile architecture at every step. The outermost layer is built from fishing nets, giving the structure a stunning tactile texture that defines the MPavilion’s profile from afar. The middle layer is crafted from a cutting-edge STFE membrane supplied by French manufacturer Serge Ferrari. As transparent as glass but 10 times lighter, this polyarylate mesh reduces glare and keeps the MPavilion weatherproof. It’s the first time STFE technology has been used in Australia. Last, but certainly not least, the bottom layer features a waffle of coloured fabric, made up of 48 individual sections, that move with the breeze and filter light, evoking the feeling of gently resting under trees.
Photo by John Gollings
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.”
Naomi Milgrom AC founder of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation and commissioner of the MPavilion project said: “When I first met Rachaporn and her design team, I quickly realised that we shared goals of harnessing architecture and design to make the world a better place for the future. Focused on solutions for upcycling and reusing buildings, sites and materials, (all)zone’s lightweight interventions complement MPavilion’s vision of fostering dialogue on how design and architecture can help create better cities for the people who live in them.”
Photo by Casey Horsfield
This year, we have once again collaborated with award-winning Melbourne-based lighting design practice, Bluebottle, to create the architectural lighting concept. Each night all(zone)’s MPavilion will be illuminated to reveal the complexity of the highly engineered structure hidden within and add intense kinetic colour across the live music program of the summer season. And in a partnership-first, Dulux will be bringing a fresh look to the MPavilion each month with colours selected by architect Rachaporn Choochuey that will be used to paint the Kiosk four times throughout the season.
We are incredibly proud to have had a team of powerhouse women steering the project, brought together by our founder Naomi Milgrom AC. The female-led design and project delivery team included Rachaporn Choochuey, lead architect and design director of all(zone); Mai Kitmungsa, project architect of all(zone); Wittida Pyomyong, project architect of all(zone); Leanne Zilka, principal architect of ZILKA Studios; Louise Nicholson, project director of Naomi Milgrom Foundation; Chloe Dang, graduate design engineer of Oasis Tension Structures; and Jen Zielinska, creative director of MPavilion.
To bring all(zone)’s vision to life, a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers and builders from AECOM, Tensys, Schiavello, Serge Ferrari, Oasis and MakMax 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.
So, delve deep into the program, earmark your calendars and join us in the gardens for a summer of design talks, architectural musings, culinary delights and so much more!
Photo by Casey Horsfield
Photo by John Gollings
MPavilion 2022 is open free to the public in the Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne, from Thursday 8 December 2022 until Thursday 6 April 2023. MPavilion is an initiative of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation in partnership with the City of Melbourne, Victorian Government through Creative Victoria