Summer pavilion by OMA opens in Melbourne

Intended to provoke all kinds of activities through its configurable nature – like traditional amphitheatres – the MPavilion by OMA opened in Melbourne for the Summer season.

OMA, MPavilion, Melbourne, 2017

Commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, the MPavilion 2017 designed by OMA is the fourth annual architect-designed summer pavilion for Melbourne. Together with hundreds of creative collaborators – both Australian and international – it presents a free, four-month program of events from until February 4, 2018.

The pavilion is shaped by two tiered grandstands – one fixed and the other moveable – covered by a floating roof structure and embraced by a hill of indigenous plants. The rotating grandstand allows for the pavilion to open up to the surrounding garden and broader cityscape. Overhead, a two-metre-deep gridded canopy with a protective translucent roof embeds advanced lighting technology. OMA has designed a pavilion that, along with providing space for performances, entertainment and events, can also perform itself. Comprising static and dynamic elements, the 19×19 metre aluminium structure allows for multiple configurations that can generate unexpected programming, echoing the ideals of the typology of the traditional amphitheatre.

  • MPavilion 2017
  • OMA
  • David Gianotten, Rem Koolhaas
  • Laurence Bolhaar, Eve Hocheng, Paul Jones, Fedor Medek, Miguel Taborda
  • Naomi Milgrom Foundation
  • Arup
  • Kane Construction
  • Gardener Group
  • Tract
  • 2017