Bangkok-based architecture studio all(zone) has been selected to design the MPavilion 2022 in Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens, Australia. 

Commissioned annually by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, established by businesswoman and philanthropist Naomi Milgrom, the playful Bangkok-based studio, led by co-founder and Design Director Rachaporn Choochuey, will be the ninth studio to create a new pavilion in the Queen Victoria Gardens.

In 2019, MPavilion was designed by Glenn Murcutt who is Australia’s most internationally recognised architect, and in 2018, award-winning Spanish architect Carme Pinós designed the MPavilion.

Design Director Rachaporn Choochuey, courtesy of all(zone)

The 2022 MPavilion will open to the public on 17 November 2022 in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Gardens and the pavilion will house various kinds of events, including performances, talks and workshops.

At the conclusion of the season, the pavilion will be gifted to the people of Victoria and relocated to a new, permanent home.

As the Naomi Milgrom Foundation explained, all(zone) was selected for "their commitment to designing built environments where people can feel at home in the world."

Led by Design Director Rachaporn Choochuey, the studio is known for their lively projects focusing on reuse and recycle local materials in bold and innovative new ways.

"Rachaporn and her team hold people at the heart of their designs, viewing the spaces they are creating not just as physical architecture but as platforms for people to cheerfully convene, converse and celebrate," said Naomi Milgrom Foundation.

The MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum in Chiang Mai, courtesy of all(zone)

The MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum in Chiang Mai, Thailand’s first contemporary art museum–which was completed in 2016, POWWOWWOW Community Mall in Bangkok - opened in 2021, Open-air Market in Bangkok - completed in 2012, are among key projects of all(zone).

"We are honoured to commission all(zone) to design MPavilion 2022. Rachaporn's architectural approach to 'the art of living lightly’ and creating spaces with people and the environment at the heart of her practice demonstrates how architecture and design can contribute to creating sustainable, equitable cities," said Naomi Milgrom AC, founder of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation.

POWWOWWOW Community Mall in Bangkok - opened in 2021, courtesy of all(zone)

"We are very excited to be part of the dynamic energy of Melbourne and hope our collaborative efforts with MPavilion will inspire people to reflect more on how our built environment can help us to live better ‘together’," said Rachaporn Choochuey,  Design Director of all(zone).

Rachaporn has received architecture qualifications from several international institutions, including Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University and Columbia University. She received her PhD in Architecture History from the University of Tokyo. 

And in late 2022, she will undertake the Louis I. Kahn Assistant Visiting Professor of Fall’22 at Yale University.

Open-air Market in Bangkok - completed in 2012, courtesy of all(zone)

all(zone)’s mission is shaped around sustainability, sourcing reused and local materials to construct its projects. 

The studio's accolades include a nomination for "Best Architecture Firm" in 2019 by Domus Magazine, and in 2021, the studio’s POWWOWWOW Community Mall in Bangkok was awarded "Best Retail Concept" in Monocle’s Top 50 Design Awards. 

The award recognises the design’s sustainability commitment, with the mall developed to combat Bangkok’s humid climate using sustainable materials and design practices rather than energy-use for air conditioning.

Set the Controls to the Heart of the Sun, courtesy of courtesy of all(zone)

"I am delighted that Dr. Rachaporn Choochuey of all(zone) has been commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation for MPavilion 2022. I welcome this important news as this year coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Thai-Australian diplomatic relations," said H.E. Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand.

"Thailand and Australia have longstanding relations across a wide range of areas in all dimensions. I am very pleased that the collaboration between MPavilion and all(zone) will reflect the strength of Thai-Australian people-to-people links and deepen our bilateral ties." 

"The Royal Thai Embassy will work closely with MPavilion and the Thai community to promote the spirit of creativity and active engagement as part of our 70th anniversary celebrations," added Santipitaks.

Phra Pradeang House, courtesy of all(zone)

Design and build details of all(zone)’s MPavilion will be revealed in July 2022.

Since 2014, the Naomi Milgrom Foundation has enriched Australian cultural life by engaging new audiences with exceptional art, design and architecture. 

Previously, Amanda Levete designed the 2015 MPavilion with a forest canopy, Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten of OMA designed a "performative" theater-like MPavilion in 2017. 

Top image: all(zone) team, courtesy of MPavilion 2022.

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