Renders for MPavilion 2015 have been released by international architect firm, AL_A, revealing a design inspired by the sensation of a forest canopy and the potential of composite material technology.

Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Gardens will host the second MPavilion for four months beginning October 2015 and will facilitate a series of housing talks, workshops and performances that will explore the role of design in the city.

The Pavilion has been designed by award-winning British architect Amanda Levete who explains that her concept incorporates the latest technology in nautical engineering to create the sensation of a forest canopy.

“Our MPavilion 2015 is designed to create the sensation of a forest canopy, made up of seemingly fragile, translucent petals supported by impossibly slender columns that sway gently in the breeze,” she says.

“By exploiting the temporary nature of the pavilion form, our design subverts the norms of immovable.”

“It embraces and amplifies such distinctions, so that it speaks in response to the weather, and moves with the wind rather than trying to keep it at bay,” adds Levete.

The MPavilion will comprise a series of three and five-metre wide petals made out of ultra-thin translucent composite and carbon fibre. At night the petals, which will be only a few millimetres thick, will glow in a halo-like effect created by LED strip forming from the capital to the column. The petals will also be turned into speakers and play sound, with all wiring to be hidden within the slender carbon fibre columns.

Naomi Milgrom, Chair of Naomi Milgrom Foundation who commissioned Amanda Levete to design the pavilion commented:

“With a focus on exploration of hi-tech techniques and new technology, the result is inventive, risk taking and experimental—encouraging design debate and cultural exchange. Architecture is about experience and ultimately enhancing people’s lives – MPavilion 2015 offers people meeting place for ideas.”

On the technological innovation that will be on display at MPavilion, Toby Whitfield, Managing Director at mouldCAM suggests that it was AL_A’s willingness to push the boundaries that has taken ordinary materials to new levels.

“The MPavilion is a beautiful example of how new materials and technology can be taken outside of their normal application to deliver extraordinary and unique results,” he says.

“The willingness by AL_A to push boundaries and a large degree of self-belief with the MPavilion team has allowed for a very rewarding experience.”

Nathan Johnson

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