Architecture students get behind the scenes at MPavilion
As part of their unit of inquiry in Term 1, our Year 9 Architecture class from Caulfield Campus were given a unique insight into the development of the 2022 MPavilion in the Queen Victoria Botanical Gardens.
This ninth MPavilion was designed and delivered by a female-led design team from Bangkok-based all(zone), an internationally acclaimed architecture practice founded by Rachaporn Choochuey. The project experimented with materials never before used in Australia to create an electrifying setting for its 2023 Summer program of free events.
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.
A multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers and builders from
A multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers and builders from Tensys, Schiavello, Serge Ferrari and AECOM collaborated and supported each other to design, test and work with the materials, a testament to their talent and expertise.
Award-winning Melbourne-based lighting design practice Bluebottle created the architectural lighting concept. Each night during the Summer program, the MPavilion was illuminated to reveal the complexity of the highly engineered structure hidden within and add intense kinetic colour.
The female-led design and project delivery team from all(zone) was brought together by MPavilion founder Naomi Milgrom AC.
Our architecture students met with Andrew from the MPavilion education team and all(zone)’s Rachaporn Choochuey. It was a unique experience for them to learn from industry professionals about how environment, purpose and people can affect artistic choices.
Our students provided feedback on what they loved most about their experience.
“I really enjoyed seeing a different type of architecture that I hadn’t seen before and I loved hearing the story behind the space.” – Giselle
“I liked building a replica of the Mpavilion looking around and seeing the different types of architecture around Melbourne.” – Jordan
“It was great to talk to the designer about how the MPavilion was made and what their inspiration was. I also liked building the structure and learning how it stands up, how to build the base, and more about the structure itself.” – Zoe
“My highlight was building a mini MPavilion with the materials given and learning about the thought process and structure behind its design and function.” – Roscoe
“It was such a great opportunity to talk to the designer and asking her questions about the design and how and why they built it.” – Natalie
“My highlight was building a structure with all the materials they gave us and learning about how they built it.” – Ryder
