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Designed as both a temporary summer pavilion and an enduring architectural creation, the MPavilion has been officially opened in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Gardens.

An adaptable performance installation, the new structure, inspired by ancient amphitheatres, is shaped by two tiered grandstands - one fixed and the other rotatable.

Designed by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten of Netherlands-based architecture practice OMA, the new structure is described as “a new civic space, a cultural laboratory in which to experiment and experience, an event hub and a meeting place.

The 19 metre² aluminium clad structure will host a free program of talks, workshops and performances between October and 4th February 2018 before being moved to a permanent new home within Melbourne’s CBD, creating an ongoing legacy in Melbourne’s increasingly sophisticated architectural landscape.

Speaking at the opening event Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle stated “MPavilion 2017 will blend traditions and architecture of the past with innovative design elements of the present.

“For thousands of years, people have attended amphitheatres to escape reality and lose themselves in entertainment, while the audio and visual elements of MPavilion 2017 will be particularly engaging.

“As the MPavilion project has evolved over the past four years, it is constantly finding new ways to involve our local designers as well as the broader community.”

The annual MPavilion program was launched by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation in 2014, and is inspired in part by the annual Serpentine Pavilion in London. The previous designers selected to create installations are Studio Mumbai (2016), AL_A (2015) and Sean Godsell Architects (2014).

MPavilion 2017 is OMA’s first major project in Australia. It was built by Kane Construction, with engineers Arup, building surveyors Gardener Group and landscape architects Tract also collaborating.

Funding support has been provided by the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Government and the ANZ Banking Group. 

Images courtesy of John Gollings. 

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Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.