➤ Photography by John Gollings

MPavilion 10

Located in the Queen Victoria Gardens of Melbourne, MPavilion 10 is Tadao Ando's first work in Australia, and a unique pavilion structure. Continuing his distinctive design language, it demonstrates a delicate understanding of nature. Utilizing fair-faced concrete as the primary material and capitalizing on the abundant and tranquil environment of the garden, it merges elements of light, wind, water, and geometry. This creates an aesthetic of light and shadow, making the pavilion not just a serene haven but also a structure that facilitates interaction and communication with people.

➤ Photography by Luke Ray

➤ Photography by Marie-Luise Skibbe

MPavilion 10 covers an area of approximately 376 square meters, with its top designed as an aluminum disc with a diameter of 14.4 meters, placed above a central concrete column. The six façade walls form two staggered geometric squares, creating an entrance in the adjoining space, guiding visitors comfortably into the interior. The varying lengths of the concrete walls around the perimeter foster a tranquil atmosphere inside, resonating with the essence of traditional Japanese gardens, subtly encouraging visitors to slow down and linger.

➤ Photography by Luke Ray

➤ Photography by Luke Ray

Two slender horizontal openings, each nearly 17 meters long, are cut into the north and south walls, bringing a glimpse of greenery and city outlines from the exterior park into the interior of MPavilion 10, creating a connection. The geometrically varied levels of the ground divide the space into two: half is laid as flooring, while the other half is presented as a reflective water pool. The reflections of the pavilion's eaves, sky, surrounding tree canopies, and city skyline on the pool surface alternate between clarity and obscurity, allowing those who linger here to engage in a liberating dialogue with nature, receiving a baptism of visual senses and spiritual cleansing. The interplay of solid and void in the three-dimensional interface of MPavilion 10, along with the stacking of geometric forms, renders the internal imagery ephemeral yet eternal.

➤ Photography by Michael Pham

➤ Photography by Michael Pham

➤ Photography by John Gollings 

Tadao Ando stated, “The initial intention behind designing the MPavilion 10 was to create an eternal scene in the Queen Victoria Gardens, an urban oasis in Melbourne. This eternity is not just manifested in the material or structure but is retained as a landscape in people's memories.” Thus, he employed the fundamentals of ancient Egyptian geometry to create an orderly space and structure within nature, akin to a blank canvas. He envisioned an empty building in silence, allowing light and wind to enter, breathing life into it. He further shared, “I am honored to complete my first project in Australia, creating a 'living architecture' that plays such a significant role in Melbourne's cultural life. I hope that for those who visit, this space can enter their hearts, blending senses with light and wind, and experience harmony with nature, oneself, and others.”

➤ Photography by Luke Ray

MPavilion is a distinguished architectural commission in Australia. The MPavilion project, orchestrated by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, is an annual architectural highlight in Melbourne. Each year, renowned architects are invited to design, showcasing their unique insights and innovations in architectural art. This year, the MPavilion project celebrates its 10th anniversary, a significant milestone. For this occasion, the Naomi Milgrom Foundation has invited Pritzker Prize laureate Tadao Ando to create a representative public building, marking the inauguration of this year's program. Concurrently, a five-month-long festival featuring 150 events is being launched, inviting local residents and attracting a large number of visitors. The deeper significance of these activities is to explore the relationship between people, architecture, art, and the urban environment, and to provide a vibrant and creative platform for cultural exchange within the local community.

➤ Photography by John Gollings