9th MPavilion, 2022 edition, by all(zone) opens in Melbourne

15/12/2022. [Melbourne] Australia
metalocus, ADELA BONAS

The Naomi Milgrom Foundation has unveiled the MPavilion 2022 designed by all(zone), an architecture practice founded by Rachaporn Choochuey, based in Bangkok, Thailand. The pavilion is located in the Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne, Australia.

all(zone)’s MPavilion 2022 experiments with materials never before used in Australia to create a colourful and joyful setting during MPavilion’s program of free events in the Queen Victoria Gardens, on view from Thursday, December 8, 2022, through Thursday, April 6, 2023.

The 9th MPavilion by all(zone). Photograph by John Gollings

The 9th MPavilion by all(zone). Photograph by John Gollings

The 9th MPavilion by all(zone). Photograph by Casey Horsfield

With this waffle-like fabric pavilion, all(zone) experimented with materials and forms creating an electrifying and joyful space designed to celebrate nature, in the lush surroundings at Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne, in MPavilion's ninth season.

MPavilion comprises three layers that explore the potential of fabric and tensile architecture. 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.

Lastly, the bottom layer features a waffle of coloured fabric that moves with the breeze and filters light, evoking the feeling of gently resting under trees.

“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. We focused on how the MPavilion would accommodate lots of different activities, and the engineering and manufacturing have been a huge step forward for us in understanding the possibilities of fabric-based architecture.”

Rachaporn Choochuey, design director of all(zone).

The 9th MPavilion by all(zone). Photograph by John Gollings.

“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.”

Naomi Milgrom AC founder of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation and commissioner of the MPavilion

The 9th MPavilion by all(zone). Photograph by John Gollings.

The 9th MPavilion by all(zone). Photograph by John Gollings.

This year, Melbourne-based lighting design practice, Bluebottle, has collaborated with MPavilion again to realise the architectural lighting concept. Each night the 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 bring a fresh look to the MPavilion each month with architect Rachaporn Choochuey selecting four colours that will be used to paint the Kiosk.

At the end of the season, MPavilion 2022 will be gifted to the people of Victoria and moved to a permanent new home to be engaged by the community.

More information

Architects

all(zone). Lead architect.- Rachaporn Choochuey. Mai Kitmungsa, project architect of all(zone); Wittida Pyomyong, project architect of all(zone).

Collaborators

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.
AECOM.
Engineering consultancy.- TENSYS.
Mesh membrane.- Serge Ferrari.
Schiavello.
MakMax.
Oasis.

Client

Naomi Milgrom Foundation.

Dates Fechas

Competition.- June 8, 2022.
Design.- July 12, 2022.
Opening.- December 8, 2022. Open free to the public until Thursday April 6, 2023.

Location

Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne, Australia.

Photography

John Gollings, Casey Horsfield.

Rachaporn Choochuey, Sorawit Klaimark, Isara Junpoldee, Wittida Payomyong. All(zone)

All(zone) Based in Bangkok, all(zone) is a group of happy design professionals who joyfully collaborate with specialists across the borders of their fields and country.

Rachaporn Choochuey. Born in Bangkok, received her B. Arch from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok (1993), M.S.AAD. from Columbia University, New York (1998) and Ph.D. from The University of Tokyo (2002). Currently based in Bangkok, she is teaching at Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University and working as an architect with all(zone) Ltd. where she is also a co-founder.

Sorawit Klaimark. Born in Bangkok, received his B. Arch (with Hons.) from Chulalongkorn University (2004), Master Degree in Contemporary Living at NABA Milano (2010) with a scholarship awarded by MIND program of Milan City.He is one of the founding staff of all(zone). In 2009 he represents Thailand at OFIX program 2009 of Young Asian Architects in Osaka. He is one of the very first staff member of all(zone).

Isara Junpoldee. Graduated from Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Isara was at all(zone) from 2007-2009, then he left to explored the world. He came back to all(zone) in 2012 since he realized that he is addicted to fun and torture around here.

Wittida Payomyong. Graduated from Interior Architecture Department of Chulalongkorn University (2010), she is the first interior architect in our team. From June 2010, she, too, began to teach at Animation Design Program of Thai Chamber of Commerce University.