MP1: Sean Godsell (Melbourne, Australia) 2014

The Pavilion: Designed by Australian architect Sean Godsell, the inaugural MPavilion was unassuming: a 12-metre-by-12-metre steel structure with a glazed roof and aluminium exterior that opened each morning and closed each night, mimicking the bloom of a flower. Godsell’s inspiration was twofold: the materials were inspired by rudimentary Outback structures – like hay sheds, barns and verandahs – that, for many decades, have provided a place to gather away from the harsh sun, while the structure was based on classical Greek design.

The Chair: Godsell designed a chair made out of steel and laminex, with two adjacent oval panels that look like they’re seated side by side.

The Uniform: Melbourne label Alpha60 designed a cotton T-shirt with a dot print evocative of Godsell’s perforated screens.

Where is the pavilion now? Hellenic Museum 280 William Street, Melbourne

MP2: AL_A (London, UK) 2015

The Pavilion: Architect Amanda Levete from British architecture studio AL_A took inspiration from the surrounding parkland to create a canopy of more than 40 translucent petals arranged atop slender columns that swayed in the breeze. The petals were made with composite materials produced in collaboration with a nautical fabricator. Each petal was fitted with LED lights that could be synchronised with the evening musical performances.

The Chair: Artist duo Janos Korban and Stefanie Flaubert merged the shapes of a cone and a cylinder to design Tom, a stool reminiscent of the base of a tree.

The Uniform: Melbourne label Kloke’s navy-ink and grey ensemble – from its Good Sport spring/summer collection – was a response to the translucent petals of AL_A’s design.

Where is the pavilion now? 770 Collins Street, Docklands

MP3: Studio Mumbai (Mumbai, India) 2016

The Pavilion: Studio Mumbai’s Bijoy Jain specialises in architecture that “contains the life of its environment”. Jain’s low, hut-like structure was constructed with traditional Indian materials and methods. Seven kilometres of bamboo, 50 tonnes of stone and 26 kilometres of rope were used, resulting in the largest bamboo structure in Australia. Its soft shape was inspired by the elemental nature of many communal structures, and provided a stark contrast to AL_A’s work the year before.

The Chair: Multiple classic, sturdy stools in different sizes were designed and handmade by craftspeople and artisans in Mumbai using locally sourced timber.

The Uniform: Misha Hollenbach and Shauna Toohey’s T-shirt – made with cotton cheesecloth from India – was printed with a collage of waterfall imagery in a nod to the well in Jain’s pavilion and the natural scenery of Queen Victoria Gardens.

Where is the pavilion now? Melbourne Zoo Elliott Avenue, Parkville

MP4: Oma (Rotterdam, Netherlands) 2017

The Pavilion: Rem Koolhaus and David Gianotten of Dutch architecture practice Oma designed a first pavilion to be embedded into the surrounding landscape. Sloping hills of earth covered in native Australian shrubs and grasses formed two of the pavilion’s walls, and a semicircular wooden grandstand, surrounded by flora, was built into the mound. Directly across from it stood another grandstand – this one rotating, allowing it to transform from seating to stage. Overhead, a two-metre-high, translucent roof was held up by an aluminium-cladded steel grid, shielding visitors from the elements while allowing sunlight to permeate.

The Chair: In addition to the amphitheatre-style seating built into the pavilion, Oma designed a minimalist cube-shaped stool made from Italian porcelain tile.

The Uniform: Studio Ongarato designed circular red badges inscribed with quotes by Koolhaas, like “Find optimism in the inevitable.”

Where is the pavilion now? Monash University Clayton 26 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton

MP5: Carme Pinós (Barcelona, Spain) 2018

The Pavilion: Inspired by the ancient art of origami, Carme Pinós designed a structure with four distinct triangular panes of timber latticework within a solid metal frame. Two of the frames made up the pavilion’s foundation, while the other two intersected to form its roof. Below, the landscape was altered to create three mounds on which the structure appeared to balance. Pinós wanted to establish a relationship between her pavilion and the surrounding park, and the result was a build that made visitors feel as though they were on a balcony facing nature.

The Chair: Comprised of three easy-to-assemble pieces, Pinós’s MP5 stool reflected the intersection of architecture, design and community at MPavilion. It came in two colours: birch green and hoop black.

The Uniform: Inspired by fishing vests, artist Esther Stewart’s bright orange canvas vest with neon blue trim married bold colours and practicality.

Where is the pavilion now? Peninsula Campus, Monash University Moorooduc Highway, Frankston (Opening 2024)

MP6: Glenn Murcutt (Sydney, Australia) 2019

The Pavilion: Pritzker Prize-winner Glenn Murcutt’s design provided picturesque views of the Yarra River and city skyline. The pavilion’s sleek white form and translucent overhanging roof evoked an aircraft wing, and offered shade and shelter. At night, the pavilion glowed softly like a lantern, warm and inviting.

The Chair: Chris Connell’s stacking stool and accompanying bench mimicked the subtle curvature of the pavilion’s roof canopy. It had a perforated steel skin moulded over the top in a vibrant ochre, symbolising Australia’s red dirt.

The Uniform: MP6’s uniform, designed by The Social Studio and Beci Orpin, had two elements: a dark brown boilersuit and a colourful yet functional orange utility belt, made with recycled materials.

Where is the pavilion now? MPavilion Parkville, University of Melbourne University Square, Carlton

MP7 (Melbourne, Australia) 2020

The Pavilion: In a year unlike any other in MPavilion’s short history, the team responded to the pandemic by moving away from its usual format of a commissioned architectural design in a fixed location. Instead, the program was delivered as a series of events taking place across Melbourne.

The Chair: Stool Dolly, by Holly Board and Peter Grove of Board Grove Architects, was designed to position all its users 1.5 metres away from each other. When the benches were joined together, it looked like a chain of paper dolls with outstretched hands.

The Uniform: Designer Chelsea Hickman upcycled materials from past uniforms to create lab coats, T-shirts and face masks.

MP8: Map Studio (Venice, Italy) 2021

The Pavilion: The Lightcatcher by Map Studio was a geometric, kaleidoscopic structure consisting of a reticular steel frame and dozens of mirrors hoisted at 90-degree angles. The pavilion’s panels reflected the beauty of Queen Victoria Gardens, and the powerful, timely design also challenged visitors to reflect on their actions and be more mindful of the environment.

The Chair: Nuud Studio’s Dancer chairs were created by dividing a single circle into 40 segments that fit snugly together, representing connection. They were made from recycled plastic to align with the pavilion’s sustainable ethic.

The Uniform: Drawing on his Mauritian heritage, fashion designer Erik Yvon’s uniform featured a bespoke nautical design – inspired by fishing trips with his father – hand-printed on a plain white cotton T-shirt.

Where is the pavilion now? Location to be announced.

MP9: All(Zone) (Bangkok, Thailand) 2022

The Pavilion: Light filtered through the layers of fabric used in All(Zone)’s MP9 the way it would through the leaves of a river red gum. Supported by a slender steel frame, the pavilion featured a light and airy canopy of three integrated fabrics floating freely in the air while also providing shelter. The outermost layer, built from fishing nets, gave the pavilion a transparent profile from far away. The second – a thin, glassy membrane – caught the rain. The third layer, made from waffle fabric, hung loosely to give the canopy movement.

The Chair: Canberra Design Lab’s stool– called Re-pete – had a curved shape and was made with recycled, lightweight 3D-printed plastic.

The Uniform: Fashion designer Safa El Samad’s striking blue apron with orange embroidery was both practical and fashionable, and could even be converted into a tote. Its cotton-drill fabrication also made it a sustainable choice.

Where is the pavilion now? RMIT University Brunswick campus Dawson Street, Brunswick (Opening 2024)

MP10: Tadao Ando (Osaka, Japan) 2023

The Pavilion: MP10 marks Tadao Ando’s Australian debut. His pavilion design consists of a large circular disc atop a sturdy central column inside a square courtyard, continuing his signature geometric interventions in nature. Two of the pavilion’s walls feature long horizontal openings that allow visitors to peek out at Melbourne’s skyline and parklands, connecting the city and Queen Victoria Gardens to the structure’s interior. The inside of the pavilion is a sanctuary reminiscent of a Japanese walled garden: a space to reflect, interact and appreciate what’s contained there, according to Ando.

The Chair: In response to Ando’s geometric motif, Davidov Architects has designed a simple cubed stool called Circle|Square out of pine, carved with a shallow, circular bowl to sit in.

The Uniform: Washi paper from Japan has been dyed pink and reinforced with beeswax to create MP10’s uniforms, which also feature green linen. Designers from experimental label DNJ Paper were inspired by Japanese work jackets called samue.

Where is the pavilion now? Queen Victoria Gardens St Kilda Road, Melbourne MPavilion runs until Thursday March 28, 2024. See more information and plan your visit here.

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