An urban oasis nestled among the greenery of Queen Victoria Gardens, designed by one of Japan's leading architects.
One of Japan’s leading contemporary architects, Tadao Ando is a master of light known for his striking geometric interventions in nature.
MPavilion is his first—and only—built work in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the few of his buildings open to the public outside Japan. Commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation to mark the 10th anniversary of the MPavilion initiative, the pavilion now remains open daily year-round.
Conceived as a meeting place within Melbourne’s arts precinct, Ando’s pavilion expresses his desire to create a memorable structure in direct response to the landscape. The design features a large canopy: a 14.4-metre aluminium-clad disc resting on a central column. Offset squares create two entrances that lead to the centre of the structure. Concrete walls of varying lengths partially enclose the space to form a sanctuary reminiscent of a Japanese walled garden—in Ando’s words, “a space to reflect, interact and appreciate that which is contained within, be it nature, art or people.”
A long horizontal opening running the length of both north and south walls serves to frame views of Melbourne’s skyline and parklands, connecting the city and Queen Victoria Gardens to the structure’s interior. Its geometric forms and symmetry are underscored by an internal arrangement that is half-paved and half-reflecting pool, mirroring the canopy, sky, city and surrounds.
“The consistent factor in my work is my interest in light,” Ando added. “For MPavilion, the spatial sequence of circles and squares will create spatial sequences of light and dark. These will change during the day and seasons as the sun moves through the sky. The surfaces the light touches will also change—walls will reveal arresting patterns of shadow, while the water from the reflecting pool may cast dappled patterns on a previously plain surface.”
Esteemed Australian architect Sean Godsell, Principal of Sean Godsell Architects, was appointed Executive Architect in Australia for MPavilion by Ando—Godsell was also our architect for MPavilion 1 in 2014–15.
Led by Tadao Ando, the construction of MPavilion represents a significant global collaboration between Japanese and Australian architects, engineers and builders; Osaka, home to Ando’s office, is Melbourne’s sister city.
“I wanted to create an experience that will last forever in the hearts of all who visit… I imagined an architecture of emptiness that lets light and breeze enter and breathe life into it. A place that resonates with the environment, becomes one with the garden and blossoms with infinite creativity.”
tadao ando
Architect statement
“The design for the MPavilion began with a desire to find a scene of eternity within the oasis of Melbourne, the Queen Victoria Gardens. Eternal, not in material or structure, but in the memory of a landscape that will continue to live in people’s hearts.
To reflect the lively nature of the site, like a blank canvas, I imagined an architecture of emptiness. Pure geometry outlines the composition of this design. Ancient Egyptians used fundamental geometry to create ordered spaces and structures in the natural world.
Geometry formed the foundation of philosophical study in ancient Greece. It is the expression of human reason and the pursuit of ethereal space. With the circle and square, emptiness is given form.
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The emptiness, in its silence, lets the light and wind enter and breathe life into the space.
The emptiness provokes a chance encounter between individuals and engenders dialogues. The emptiness resonates with the environment, becomes one with the garden, and blossoms into a microcosmos of infinite creativity.”
Tadao Ando
Getting there
By Train
The nearest train station is Flinders Street Station. From there it’s a short tram ride or walk to the Queen Victoria Gardens.
BY BIKE
MPavilion is just off the Capital City Trail. Bike hoop parking is available on St Kilda Road
BY TRAM
The nearest tram stop is 14–Arts Centre/St Kilda Rd (Southbank), accessed on routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67 and 72.
BY CAR
Metered on-street parking is available on St Kilda Road. The nearest car park is located at the Arts Centre
Access
There is wheelchair access from the paved paths in the park to MPavilion, with a short distance on the grass to reach the structure. From the nearest parking/taxi drop-off point on St Kilda Road, it is approximately 60 steps to reach MPavilion.
Limited seating is available inside MPavilion, in the form of stools and a bench against one wall of the pavilion. MPavilion is outside, with partial cover. Half of the pavilion is made up of a shallow pool of water.
A Changing Places toilet is located at Hamer Hall (100 St Kilda Road Southbank) on Level 3, near the south lift, and users are asked to bring their Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) to open the door.
To find out more about access at MPavilion, please see our accessibility and inclusion page or email us at info@mpavilion.org.