The 2022 MPavilion, designed by Bangkok-based All Zone, has opened in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Gardens.
The brightly coloured canopy structure experiments with fabric-based architecture and uses materials never before seen in Australia.
“MPavilion is special because even though it’s called a temporary pavilion, it’s actually even more complex than a building,” said architect Rachaporn Choochuey, design director of All Zone. “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.”
The canopy comprises three layers: an outer layer of fishing nets, which gives the structure its texture; a middle layer from STFE membrane – a material that is as transparent as glass but only one-tenth of the weight. The polyarylate mesh reduces glare and shelters the pavilion from the rain. Manufactured by French company Serge Ferrari, it is the first time STFE technology has been used in Australia.
MPavilion 2022 by All Zone comprises a three layered canopy.
Image:
John Gollings
The final bottom layer is a waffle of coloured fabric that filters the sunlight and moves with the breeze. Tessa Sullivan, honorary consul for Thailand in Melbourne, said the colours are significant to the people of Thailand for their representation of monks’ robes.
MPavilion has once again collaborated with lighting designer Bluebottle, whose architectural lighting concept is designed to highlight the complexity of the canopy from within.
Paint manufacturer Dulux has also collaborated with MPavilion and Choochuey to select a different colour in which to coat the kiosk each month for the duration of the installation.
The 2022 MPavilion has been realised by a female-led team from All Zone, as well as project architect Leanne Zilka of Zilka Studios.
The opening weekend will feature a Thai festival to celebrate the connection and 70 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Australia. More than 250 events will run throughout the season from 8 December 2022 to 6 April 2023.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
