MPavilion 2021 is a shimmering kaleidoscopic urban lighthouse designed by MAP studio

architects francesco magnani & traudy pelzel of venice-based MAP studio reveals the design of the seventh MPavilion in an ongoing series organized by the naomi milgrom foundation at the queen victoria gardens, australia. named ‘the lightcatcher’, the structure is geometric, kaleidoscopic, and has been envisioned as an urban lighthouse, set to illuminate MPavilion’s diverse program of free cultural events over the summer.

all images courtesy of MPavilion

MAP studio—an architecture, urbanism, and design practice based in venice, italy—is renowned for responding to existing sites in a sensitive and celebratory way. this approach has been especially moving as MPavilion 2021 returns to its original home in the queen victoria gardens, australia. a project more than two years in the making, the MPavilion by map studio was originally slated for construction in 2020, with progress postponed as the world responded to the covid-19 crisis.

the naomi milgrom foundation is delighted that map studio’s MPavilion can now come to completion. commenting on their MPavilion design, traudy pelzel said: ‘the structure we imagine is a shimmering device that qualifies itself as an urban lighthouse that hosts and enlightens the cultural activities planned for the 2021 summer season in melbourne…a kaleidoscopic structure that reflects and amplifies activities, people and colours. for this reason, we call it the lightcatcher.’

the MPavilion design includes a reticular steel structure in galvanized and painted tubular profiles that support a set of panels in a mirror-finish aluminum coating, reflecting light, colors, activities, and people who will use the space. these surfaces will also function as shading elements. the MPavilion 2021 structure appears to float above the ground level on a colored, organic-shaped surface.

MAP studio’s design has inspired MPavilion’s program themes for its 2021/22 season of free events and will open in the queen victoria gardens, southbank arts precinct, from 11 november 2021 until 20 march 2022. taking on a second life, at the end of each season, the MPavilion is then gifted by the naomi milgrom foundation to the public. becoming a legacy of esteemed architect-designed pavilions for the state of victoria, the series enables design awareness to continue in new communities for years to come.

project info:

name: MPavilion 2021

designers: MAP studio (venice)

location:queen victoria gardens, southbank arts precinct, melbourne, australia

dates: from 11 november 2021 until 20 march 2022

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: yasmina karam | designboom