MPavilion 2018 by carme pinós opens in melbourne

the 2018 MPavilion, the fifth in an ongoing series of annual architect-designed temporary structures, has opened to the public in melbourne. designed by barcelona-based architect carme pinós, the pavilion will remain in the city’s queen victoria gardens until february 3, 2019. this year’s structure celebrates building communities and women in leadership, and heralds a free four-month program that will feature more than 500 australian and international guests and collaborators.

the pavilion has opened in melbourne’s queen victoria gardens
image by john gollings | video by harpy creative

carme pinós’ sculptural structure incorporates origami-inspired ‘wings’ designed to open the MPavilion to the city, encouraging movement, meetings, and new experiences. the geometric composition intersects to form the pavilion’s roof, while an altered topography forms three mounds that incorporate a range of seating opportunities. pinós has also designed a birch plywood stool, which will populate the pavilion for the months to come.

the geometric composition intersects to form the pavilion’s roof
image by john gollings

‘in designing this year’s MPavilion, I wanted firstly to make a space for the people of melbourne to feel connected — to each other, to the city they live in, and to nature,’ explains carme pinós. ‘we are all part of the world, and architecture can tell that story and provide a place for us to experience life together. I hope the MPavilion becomes a flow of knowledge and creativity this summer.’

the sculptural structure incorporates origami-inspired ‘wings’
image by john gollings

initiated and commissioned by the naomi milgrom foundation with support from the city of melbourne, MPavilion is designed as both a temporary summer pavilion and ‘an enduring architectural creation’. at the end of each season, the pavilion is gifted to the people of victoria and moved to a permanent new home to be engaged by the community in perpetuity, creating an ongoing legacy.

a range of events will celebrate building communities and women in leadership
image by john gollings

‘working with carme to bring her inspiring MPavilion design to life has been an absolute pleasure,’ says naomi milgrom, chair of the naomi milgrom foundation, who commissioned the project. ‘carme’s vision opens australia to conversations about how to make our cities more inclusive through design. it’s a privilege to commission a work with such international and future-thinking insight.’ see designboom’s coverage of previous MPavilions here.

an altered topography forms three mounds that incorporate a range of seating opportunities
image by john gollings

as part of the commission, pinós has also designed a birch plywood stool

carme pinós and naomi milgrom
image by justin ridler

UPDATE: this project has been shortlisted in the ‘completed buildings – culture’ category at the 2019 world architecture festival. the project has also been shortlisted for the ‘small projects prize’.