NGV Pavilion

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As was previously mentioned in an <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/grimshaws-ngv-pavilion-2016-entry">earlier article</a>, as part of Grimshaw's entry into the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Pavilion competition, the office undertook an internal design competition. Today's piece looks at a scheme I developed with my good friend and colleague, Isaac Mortimer. The design is based around the principle of a 450mm x 450mm module repeated to form an enclosure that defines a series of smaller and larger formal and informal spaces of various use.

At its most basic, the module is the ideal dimension for a seat or when repeated laterally benches or planter boxes. The design as illustrated in the renderings is not considered 'the design' but rather a system that can be adopted and formed into a structure that responds to the desires and requirements of the NGV.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/ngv_pavillion_module_typical-01.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Modular elements of the pavilion."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="173" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ngv_pavillion_module_typical-01.png?itok=ACSsRK8P" title="Modular elements of the pavilion." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Modular elements of the pavilion.</figcaption></figure>The orthogonal geometry pays homage to the NGV's form but is eroded to create a threshold space between the NGV and the Grollo Equiest gardens. It has been located to incite discovery and create curiosity and is deliberately skeletal in nature - a temporary scaffolding - which is expressed via its composition and connections outward.

The grid structure encourages interaction and invites investigation. Visitors can peek through the openings along the exterior perimeter of the pavilion as well as climb it, hang objects and items off it or possibly even create art installations by threading string or rope through the frame.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/aerial_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial of pavilion relative to NGV and Gardens."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="374" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial_2.jpg?itok=LrEYBjd0" title="Aerial of pavilion relative to NGV and Gardens." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial of pavilion relative to NGV and Gardens.</figcaption></figure>Additionally, the scaffold-like nature of the structure pays tribute to the Grollo family's legacy of building Melbourne, due to their involvement in the construction of a vast number of significant Melbourne buildings. The pavilion represents a series of parts coming together to form something greater. It can be understood a number of ways.

The internal spaces are also defined by erosion of the grid structure allowing for the curation of spaces for circulation between the NGV and gardens and also spaces for dwelling, hosting small informal gatherings but also larger lectures and performances too.

The flexibility of the pavilion for hosting different programs of art is the representation and consolidation of the Arts Precinct functions into one space. A teaser of the Arts Precinct that provides just a small enough glimpse to tempt a visitor into exploring the wider precinct.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/interior_render.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior perspective."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="227" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/interior_render.jpg?itok=5i_O1tN3" title="Interior perspective." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior perspective.</figcaption></figure>Beyond the pavilion's lifecycle within the NGV grounds, it is proposed that it would be disassembled down to its humblest form: the 450 x 450 module which would be dispersed or consolidated into street furniture or artwork elements strewn throughout the city. A form of memorabilia that is seen and understood as once being part of something larger, but is now ingrained further into the city streets.
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Laurence Dragomir

NGV Pavilion 2016: Laurence Dragomir and Isaac Mortimer

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Following on from last week's piece on <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/grimshaws-ngv-pavilion-2016-entry">Grimshaw's NGV pavilion design</a>, there has been some interest in highlighting other schemes. I was due to present <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/ngv-pavilion-2016-laurence-dragomir-and-isaac-mortimer">my scheme</a> this week, but will leave that for next week. In its place is a scheme dubbed "Unfamiliar Terrain", prepared by a fellow RMIT School of Architecture alumni, John Kachami.

<blockquote>
Unfamiliar Terrain seeks to explore the interplay between rational construction and artistic ambition. A single 1.2m x 1.2m module has been crafted so that, when multiplied, mirrored and rotated, it may evoke emotion and encourage interaction. The pavilion challenges conventional construction and puts forward an alternative dialogue which expresses the elasticity of space and its transformation into an expression via the building fabric.
<cite>John Kachami design statement</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/drawing_suite.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Suite of drawings. Courtesy John Kachami"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="390" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/drawing_suite.jpg?itok=L4s2aNoR" title="Suite of drawings. Courtesy John Kachami" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Suite of drawings. Courtesy John Kachami</figcaption></figure>Kachami's design for the competition seeks to introduce an intervention which challenges visitors to step into an 'unfamiliar terrain'. It has been designed to "question convention and be questioned", to spark a thought, an action or a reaction which would otherwise not have taken place. In turn its audience affects change in the pavilion by their use of the space, strengthening a dialogue between the two.

The pavilion has been designed as a porous structure which encourages interactions with its garden surrounds in all directions. In doing so it provides a variety of different spaces and heights to promote conversation, seating, interaction and freedom to discuss unfamiliar ideas in an unusual environment.

The performance criteria of a building is also met with the provision of weather protection from both sun and rain so common in Melbourne.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/renders_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior and exterior perspectives. Courtesy John Kachami"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="145" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/renders_0.jpg?itok=v5eeAhh3" title="Interior and exterior perspectives. Courtesy John Kachami" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior and exterior perspectives. Courtesy John Kachami</figcaption></figure>The pavilion would be constructed from CNC routed plywood from sustainable sources. The design attempts to showcase how proliferating technologies can facilitate a new paradigm.

Owing to its modular nature it is envisaged that once the pavilion's tenure in the NGV garden is over it can be disassembled into 128 pieces. These pieces may be sold by the NGV shop or given away in a ballot type system.

Each of the pieces may propagate the use and emotion of the pavilion throughout Melbourne and elsewhere. Encouraging thought and expression wherever they are discovered with the potential to become pieces of art in their own right.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/jk_renders.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Suite of renders. Courtesy John Kachami"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="274" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jk_renders.jpg?itok=9ZuLDvI_" title="Suite of renders. Courtesy John Kachami" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Suite of renders. Courtesy John Kachami</figcaption></figure>The submission acting as a form of manufactured landscape allows for interaction from visitors as a means to dwell, discuss and observe both from within and from out via the apertures, providing a further dimension to the pavilion.

The colours drawing inspiration from the stained glass ceiling of the Great Hall, provide a contrasting visual interest against the backdrop of the NGV and the gardens.

Any other practices or individuals interested in seeing their submissions published on Urban.com.au are free to contact us at <a href="mailto:editor@urban.melbourne">editor@urban.melbourne</a>.
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NGV Pavilion 2016 entry: John Kachami

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The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) recently announced the shortlist of architects for its 2016 pavilion in the Grollo-Equiset Gardens within the grounds of the NGV.

Five practices will now proceed to stage two of the competition. They are:

<ul>
<li>M@Studio</li>
	<li>March Studio</li>
	<li>Nervegna Reed Architecture</li>
	<li>Other Architects/Otherothers</li>
	<li>Thomas Winwood Architecture</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://grimshaw-architects.com/">Grimshaw Archtects</a>' Melbourne office was one of 93 entrants who submitted a design for the competition following an internal design competition which resulted in 3 concepts being taken forward to develop into a single design response. Working together with structural engineers <a href="http://www.bollinger-grohmann.com/">Bollinger Grohmann</a>, Grimshaw's response blends architecture, engineering and sustainability into a dual arched structure unified via a series of threaded nylon ropes.

<blockquote>
Our proposed NGV Pavilion comprises two tensioned timber arches anchored and united via nylon static rope to define a series of flexible informal gathering spaces. The arches are of modular blocks and can be used beyond the life of the pavilion’s installation within the NGV gardens. These blocks are made of laminated wood covered with a hardwood veneer.

The modular design enables a variety of re-configurations – as single seating elements or combined to form other pieces of furniture. This reduces the amount of waste generated by the pavilion’s construction and generates further uses such seating distributed around the city.
<cite>Grimshaw design statement</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/plans.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Pavilion plans and elevations. Image courtesy of Grimshaw"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="311" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/plans.png?itok=lmrGyhzm" title="Pavilion plans and elevations. Image courtesy of Grimshaw" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pavilion plans and elevations. Image courtesy of Grimshaw</figcaption></figure>Grimshaw's entry was designed to respond to the immediate context of the NGV Gardens, integrating with the existing hardscape and sculptures, and drawing on the larger built heritage of the Arts Precinct. The design specifically celebrated the Arts Centre; the spire is a landmark of civic pride, ambition, compromise, hope and, ultimately, material innovation.

The structure had been considered as a bridging element, draped lightly over the site to join and separate a series of spaces of various uses. It’s webbed materiality contrasted with the solid impenetrable stone exterior of the NGV. The rope was woven in varying densities to provide shade where required and define the spaces. These spaces can be used for smaller informal gatherings or much larger performances and talks.

An opportunity for a suspended work of art had been provided within the roped web on the northern side, referencing the larger performance area. Collaboration with an installation artist or sculptor would work with the architectural expression of this piece.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/ngv_grim_vignettes.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Pavilion vignettes. Image courtesy of Grimshaw"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="103" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ngv_grim_vignettes.jpg?itok=aiEH32w9" title="Pavilion vignettes. Image courtesy of Grimshaw" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Pavilion vignettes. Image courtesy of Grimshaw</figcaption></figure>In terms of construction materials, Grimshaw nominated static nylon rope and 450mm x 450mm Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) blocks to form the primary structural elements. The LVL blocks have a dual purpose as seating elements both during and post installation, promoting sustainability via re-use of materials and components.

The method of installation was via modular construction of the arches – formed by a sequence of LVL blocks – which are assembled on the ground to achieve the desired geometry and then lifted and fixed into position through tensioned cables. The ropes are threaded through and tied together with a combination of knots and simple cable clips, facilitating disassembly and minimising waste.

Minimal connection points are required with the pavilion embedded into the ground at four points where the two primary arches are fixed to footings. This strategy reduces the pavilion’s footprint, touches the ground lightly and eases rectification works to the soft and hard landscaping within the gardens following decommission.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/structural_concept_materiality.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Structural concept and materiality. Image courtesy of Grimshaw"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="482" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/structural_concept_materiality.png?itok=F3L09Uc-" title="Structural concept and materiality. Image courtesy of Grimshaw" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Structural concept and materiality. Image courtesy of Grimshaw</figcaption></figure>Editor's note: the author is a part-time employee in Grimshaw's Melbourne office. Laurence will be showcasing <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/ngv-pavilion-2016-laurence-dragomir-and-isaac-mortimer">his own design for the NGV pavilion</a> next week.
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NGV Pavilion

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