9th MPavilion design is released: materials reimagined by all(zone)
12/07/2022.
[Melbourne] Australia
metalocus, CARLOS RUBIO
metalocus, CARLOS RUBIO
Description of project by all(zone)
The MPavilion is a very unique commission. It is a temporary structure in Queen Victoria Gardens for about five months, before being gifted to the city by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation and relocated to a permanent home. While the structure has to be light and temporary, it also has to serve a series of unprecedented conditions in its second life. It should be adaptive with the very minimum elements of architecture while offering a unique experience for its visitors.
After being confined for a long time during the pandemic, and with the MPavilion situated in the heart of Melbourne—where the lockdown period was the longest—we began the project with the idea to ‘celebrate outdoor living.’ Architecture should perform with its minimum form while offering connections to the dynamic movement of nature—like being under a big tree with relaxing rays of light flickering through the layers of leaves. It should be a place where people casually meet, enjoy, and live in the moment. A place where people can come by to read books, have coffee, listen to music, participate in morning Yoga, or just pass by to see if anything is going on—like visiting a good friend who is always home.
We chose to work with fabric to create a ‘light’ environment. Through the development process, with a lot of input from the marvellous engineer teams at Tensys and AECOM, we finally reached the three integrated layers of fabric.
The fishing net roof gives the transparent profile of the pavilion from far away. The transparent membrane in the middle catches the rain. Then the waffle of colour fabric is a ceiling hung loosely to allow movement when it catches a breeze.
In short, our version of the MPavilion is a light structure, a minimum form of architecture to house the public life of the city while being lively, colourful, and fun. In a world where we encounter a shortage of resources and ever-changing social conditions, the lifespan of architecture should be reinvestigated and expanded to consider a wider range of materials and building methods. As life does not last forever, why should our buildings? The MPavilion intends to explore the aspect of architecture that could embrace a lighter and more casual spirit to become even more sustainable and engaging.
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.
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.
Ruchanan Patarapanich.
Aroonrod Supreeyaporn.
Asrin Sanguanwongwan.
Tanya Thapanand.