Commissions
The Naomi Milgrom Foundation commissions different designers, architects and artists every year to create unique pieces for various projects including MPavilion.
MPavilion 2022 ‘Re-pete’ Chair
Designed by: Sam Tomkins, Iain [Max] Maxwell and Ben Ennis-Butler of Canberra Design Lab
Material: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Description: Designed by Sam Tomkins, Iain [Max] Maxwell and Ben Ennis-Butler of Canberra Design Lab, ‘Re-pete’, is a lightweight, zero-waste stool produced from recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) plastic using robotic 3D printing technology.
Drawing inspiration from the billowing and cellular forms of all(zone)’s MPavilion 2022 design, the chair’s complex doubly-curved shape enhances its stability offering a combination of support, flex and suspension in all the right places.
MPavilion 2022 Uniform
Designed by: Safa El Samad
Material: Cotton Drill
Description: Safa El Samad is a second-generation Lebanese Australian, who lives by the axiom that ‘the architect should be able to design everything from the city to the spoon.’ For the MPavilion 2022 season, Safa designed a utilitarian-inspired convertible apron-tote. The design features embroidery inspired by all(zone) and their MPavilion design.
MPavilion 2021 Uniform
Designed by: Erik Yvon
Material: Hand-printed cotton
Description: Inspired by his origins in Mauritius and the MPavilion November program theme of ‘Island Life’, Erik created a bespoke print for the 2021 uniform, drawing on fond childhood memories of fishing trips with his father.
Prototype of the Dolly Stool
MPavilion 2021 ‘Dancer’ Chair
Designed by: Kerli Valk and Bradley Mitchell of Nüüd Studio
Material: Recycled plastic
Description: Designed by Kerli Valk and Bradley Mitchell of Nüüd Studio, winners of the chair design commission for MPavilion 2021, the ‘Dancer’ chairs were first a single circle drawn within the MPavilion, then evenly divided into 40 segments to create the individual chairs which each share the mark of open hands to reconnect again. The ‘Dancer’ chair was influenced by MAP studio (Venice)’s MPavilion in form, colour and material. The chairs were made from melted recycled plastic, made up of mostly milk and juice bottles.
MPavilion 2020 Stool Dolly
Designed by: Holly Board and Peter Grove of BoardGrove Architects
Material: Powder-coated metal tube frame, square metal grid mesh wrap
Description: Designed by Holly Board and Peter Grove of BoardGrove Architects as a special commission for MPavilion 2020, Stool Dolly is a chair that truly responds to its time. Reminiscent of children’s paper dolls—where folded paper is cut into a simple human form, before opening up into a train of people connected by their outstretched arms—each Stool Dolly chair can be positioned at ‘arm’s length’ (1.5 metres), or interlocked. When used at MPavilion events, the resulting configuration allows its users to be safely apart, together.
MPavilion 2020 Uniform
Designed by: Chelsea Hickman
Material: Recycled MPavilion uniforms from previous years
Description: Upcycled from the uniforms of seasons past, the garments Chelsea has created include over-layer ‘Lab Coats’, under-layer t-shirts, and reusable/washable face masks. All of the garments are custom made by Chelsea personally—making each piece utterly unique, while ensuring its ethical production.
MPavilion: Encounters with Design and Architecture
Designed by: Studio Ongarato
Published by: Thames & Hudson Australia in 2020
Contributors: Stephen Todd, Dame Julia Peyton Jones DBE, Rory Hyde, Aric Chen, Ellie Stathaki, Caroline Roux, Françoise Fromonot
Editors: Alexandra Zafiriou, Robert Buckingham
Number of pages: 260
Description: MPavilion: Encounters with Design and Architecture marks the completion of six remarkable years and is a celebration of what the MPavilion project has achieved to date. Reflecting on the history and legacy of the MPavilion project from 2014 to 2019, the book captures the remarkable contribution of the first six MPavilion architects as well as the many collaborators who have contributed to the MPavilion project so far. Through their help, MPavilion has become a model for promoting architecture, design and urban renewal.
MPavilion 2019 Belt and Uniform
Designed by: The Social Studio and Beci Orpin
Material: Recycled materials, cotton
Description: The team at The Social Studio worked closely with the MPavilion team to design the boiler suit as the MPavilion 2019 Front of House staff uniform. The Social Studio is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to improving the lives of young Australians using a vehicle of fashion. Through their work, the Social Studio creates a safe place of belonging that strives to create awareness and change public perceptions for people who have experienced being a refugee.
As a complement to the boiler suit, beloved Melbourne designer-illustrator and creative practitioner, Beci Orpin, also collaborated with the MPavilion team to create a colourful and functional utility belt.
Image credit: Tom Ross
Image credit: Tom Ross
MPavilion 2019 Stacking Stool
Designed by: Chris Connell, Chris Connell Design
Manufactured by: Grazia and Co.
Material: Powder-coated metal tube frame, square metal grid mesh wrap
Dimensions: Stool (450L x 470W x 460H) Bench (2000x 470W x 460H).
Colour: MPavilion Red
Description: To honour MPavilion 2019’s architect and Australia’s only Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate Glenn Murcutt AO, the Naomi Milgrom Foundation commissioned Chris Connell of Chris Connell Design and Grazia and Co. to create the MPavilion 2019 stacking stool and bench. The commission was in celebration of Murcutt’s 50th year in his architectural practice.
Assemble Papers
Special print editions 2014-2019
Published by: Assemble Papers
Number of pages: 100
Description: Together with Assemble Papers, the Naomi Milgrom Foundation has delved into the practice and concepts of some of those we have collaborated over the years. Giants in their respective fields, their stories provide a rich insight into topics including contemporary architecture, urban design, and community.
Image credit: Tom Ross
William Kentridge: That Which We Do Not Remember
Designed by: Carla Saunders
Published by: Naomi Milgrom Foundation, 2019
Author: Jane Taylor
Number of pages: 151
Description: William Kentridge: That Which We Do Not Remember was commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation and prepared on the occasion of the exhibition William Kentridge: That Which We Do Not Remember at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, September 2018 - February 2019 and at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, March - June 2019. Both exhibitions were supported by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation.
The exhibitions celebrated the artist’s use of multiple and interrelated mediums and disciplines. Kentridge was invited by Milgrom to curate the exhibition, which included pieces from Milgrom’s distinguished collection and one of the largest holdings of Kentridge’s works.
MPavilion 2018 Stool
Designed by: Carme Pinós, Estudio Carme Pinós
Manufactured by: Focus Taller - Francesc Rubio, Spain
Material: Birch plywood
Dimensions: 380D x 550W x 440H
Colour: Two colours; birch green and hoop black
Description: The MPavilion 2018 stool is comprised of three pieces assembled by intersection. The stool’s configuration reflects the intersection of architecture, design and community that takes place within MPavilion, and celebrates the dynamic and ever-changing space. The stool was designed to store flat, and can easily be disassembled.
Image credit: Tom Ross
Photo credit: Tom Ross
MPavilion 2018 Vest
Designed by: Esther Stewart
Made by: Hannah McMullin
Material: Canvas and neon trim
Description: The MPavilion 2018 vest was designed by Melbourne based artist Esther Stewart and developed as a utility style garment for the MPavilion Front of House staff. Inspired by cycling and fishing vests, the garment embraces cutting-edge design and a grounded practicality.
MPavilion 2017 Stool
Designed by: OMA
Manufactured by: European Ceramics, Osmond Park, Australia
Material: CEDIT porcelain tile, Matrice Sostanza finish
Dimensions: 400D x 400W x 400H
Description: The MPavilion 2017 stool is a porcelain cube that provided a minimalist alternative to the imbedded seating within MPavilion.
Image credit: Tom Ross
Image credit: Tom Ross
MPavilion 2017 Badge
Designed by: Studio Ongarato
Description: A series of Rem Koolhaas quotes inspired by OMA themes were reproduced on badges worn by MPavilion 2017 staff.
Tracey Moffatt: MY HORIZON
Designed by: Evi O. & Daniel New / OetomoNew
Published by: The Australia Council for the Arts in association with Thames & Hudson Australia in 2017
Contributors: Judy Annear, Susan Bright, Germano Celant, Natalie King, Nakkiah Lui, Adrian Martin, Romaine Moreton, Djon Mundine OAM, Camille Paglia, Hannah Presley, Moira Roth, Alexis Wright.
Edited by: Natalie King
Number of pages: 150
Description: Tracey Moffatt: MY HORIZON was commissioned by the Australia Council for the Arts on the occasion of the exhibition Tracey Moffatt: MY HORIZON for the Australian Pavilion at the 57th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, 13 May – 26 November 2017. The Naomi Milgrom Foundation was a supporting partner.
Image credit: Tom Ross
MPavilion 2016 Stool
Designed and made by: Craftspeople in Mumbai, India
Material: Locally sourced timber
Dimensions: 310D x 310W x 530H
Colour: various
Description: The MPavilion 2016 stool celebrates the handmade techniques of local artisans in Mumbai, India.
MPavilion 2016 Shirt
Designed and made by: Perks and Mini (P.A.M.)
Material: Cotton
Description: Founded by Melbourne artists Mischa Hollenbach and Shauna Toohey, the P.A.M. fashion label is based in Paris. Inspired by cross-cultural exchange, Mischa and Shauna created a one-off print for the MPavilion 2016 Front of House staff uniform.
Image credit: Tom Ross
Miracle Swamp: The Place of Queen Victoria Gardens in the urban, horticultural and creative life of Melbourne.
Designed by: Stuart Geddes
Published by: Naomi Milgrom Foundation in 2016
Author: Gina Levenspiel
Number of pages: 80
Description: The Miracle Swamp: The Place of Queen Victoria Gardens in the urban, horticultural and creative life of Melbourne publication was commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation and supported by Gordon Darling Foundation. The book is the first comprehensive history of the Queen Victoria Gardens in Melbourne and documents how it became the site of the MPavilion project.
MPavilion 2014 Chair
Designed by: Sean Godsell, Sean Godsell Architects
Manufactured by: Workspace Commercial Furniture, Adelaide, Australia
Material: Steel, laminex solid surface
Dimensions: 440D x 420W x 720H
Colour: White
Description: The MPavilion 2014 chair was designed for the inaugural MPavilion by Sean Godsell and sponsored by Laminex Australia. The smooth form balanced the geometric panels that formed the walls and roof of the pavilion.
Image credit: Tom Ross
Image credit: Tom Ross
MPavilion 2014 T-shirt, Uniform, Cushion and Apron
Designed and made by: Alpha60
Material: Cotton
Description: Alpha60 is a Melbourne-based fashion label. They were commissioned to create the uniform for MPavilion 2014 Front of House staff. MPavilion 2014’s perforated screens became the inspiration for the dot print seen on the t-shirts, aprons and cushions.