Carme Pinós reveals new design for the MPavilion 2018

A digital image of a brown and black airplane0like structure in the in the a garden with black benches for sitting and trees and flowers in the background
Carme Pinos’ design for the 2018 MPavilion brings floating planes together at angles resting on elevated points. The sculptural form resembles origami and leads the eye out to the city and back to the pavilion with an aim to dissolve the lines between architecture and urbanism and bring the material, environmental and the human together
(Image credit: courtesy of Estudio Carme Pinós)

The Naomi Milgrom Foundation announced the winner of 2018’s commission as Carme Pinós – architect, educator and principle at Estudio Carme Pinós – which will make this year’s pavilion the first public commission by a female architect in Australia. Her new design  reflects her aim to dissolve the lines between architecture and urbanism and bring the material, the environmental and the human together.

It’s an auspicious move for both Pinós and MPavilion, the country’s foremost architecture and design event (one facilitated each year by Milgrom, an Australian philanthropist). Now in its fifth year, the event bills itself as ‘cultural laboratory and utopian space’ – a notion manifested in talks, workshops, performances and this temporary pavilion.

Carme Pinós in a room with mini architectural structural objects on a green table and silver pendants ceiling lights hanging from the ceiling

Portrait of Carme Pinós. 

(Image credit: Photography: Slivio Matticchio)

Pinós’ approach to architecture is overwhelmingly humanist. She founded her eponymous studio in 1991 after building an international reputation for her work with fellow Barcelonan Enric Miralles. Her practice since has been multifaceted, and she has applied herself to projects exploring everything from municipal intervention, social housing and urban regeneration to designing furniture, and always with a focus on research and experimentation.

Her portfolio is global: recently completed projects include the idiosyncratic Cube 2 office towers in Guadalajara, Mexico (2014, with two similar-height buildings inclined toward the street and façades lying non-parallel with the ground below); the Caixaforum Cultural Exhibition Centre in Zaragoza, Spain (2008–2014, with dual exhibition halls suspended at different levels, models of which were acquired by the Pompidou Centre); and a crematorium for the Igualada Cemetery, Spain (2014–16, and an austere, sculptural build that fulfils its specific technical remit while retaining a respectful poeticism and minimalist beauty).

The interior view of the Cube1 showing 2 levels with glass, white and oak design; white walls and grey floors. The staircase has clear glass banister and silver metal base.

Interior detail of the Cube1 in Mexico deisgned by Estudio Carme Pinós. 

(Image credit: Photography: Jordi Bernadó)

Her current projects include the masterplan for the historic centre of the French town of Saint-Dizier, and the Massana School of Arts in Barcelona – an ambitious 11,000 sq m project replete with a striking terracotta-coloured ceramic geometric façade that remains aesthetically sympathetic to its urban surround on one half, a subtler exterior tucked over the building’s entrance on the other and a luminous, expansive interior space – among others.

Recognised for her work advancing gender quality in architecture, Pinós was awarded the Richard J Neutra Medal for Professional Excellent by the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona in 2016. She was the recipient of one of the Catalan government’s highest civil/cultural distinctions – the Creu de Sant Jordi Medal – a year previously, and was made a RIBA International Fellow and an Honoury Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2013 and 2011, respectively.

Exterior view of the Pabellón Río Blanco Mexico featuring stone walls and black glass details. Cracked slab detail driveway with trees in the surrounding

The Pabellón Río Blanco Mexico designed by Estudio Carme Pinós. 

(Image credit: Photography: Jordi Bernadó)

It’s an impressive CV, more than justifying the Melbourne commission. Says Milgrom: ‘Carme’s remarkable work honours the responsibility of architecture to serve a community, by creating spaces that place human experience and environment at the centre of her designs. Her approach to architecture, social housing and community reflects MPavilion’s ongoing desire to stimulate debate about the role of design and architecture in building creative and equitable cities and communities.’

Pinós’ take is equally effusive. ‘It is a great responsibility to create a unique place in this special park with views over Melbourne, a city to which I have deep attachments,’ she says. ‘I am inspired by the fact that this new project will become a cultural destination for the city.’ Following Koolhaas and Gianotten’s ludicrously popular modernist amphitheatre, expectation weighs heavy – but there’s every reason to think Pinós’ project will be more intriguing still.

Carme Pinós talks about her commission for the Pavilion 2018

Exterior view of Caixaforum Cultural Exhibition Centre. A black building with dark reflective glasses. Grey steps leading to the building with mini trees at the entrance

Spanish architect Carme Pinos has been chosen as the architect of the MPavilion 2018. Pictured here, the Caixaforum Cultural Exhibition Centre in Zaragoza, Spain (2008–2014) designed by Estudio Carme Pinós.

(Image credit: Photography: Ricardo Santonja)

Exterior view of Crematorio Igualada featuring grey and white colours photographed behind bushes and a mini tree

The Crematorio Igualada designed by Estudio Carme Pinós. 

(Image credit: Photography: J. Arenas)

Interior view of Crematorio Igualada with light-bulb style ceiling lights hanging from the ceiling. An oak bench against a grey wall with vertical lines by a floor to ceiling window. Grey flooring and concrete coloured ceilings

Interior of the Crematorio Igualada designed by Estudio Carme Pinós. 

(Image credit: Photography: J. Arenas)

LEFT: Exterior view of Cube1 building with a tall shite structure sandwiched between brown and black bricks. Phorographerd during the day with trees around. RIGHT:A small room in the Cube1 with colourful (orange and, grey and blue) walls

The Cube1 in Mexico deisgned by Estudio Carme Pinós. 

(Image credit: Photography: Jordi Bernadó)

Exterior view of ’Terres de l’Ebre’ Regional Office photographed from above showcasing the black a, white and grey design of the building with other buildings in view

The ’Terres de l’Ebre’ Regional Office Tortosa in Tarragona, Spain, designed by Estudio Carme Pinós and completed in 2017. 

(Image credit: Photography: J. Arenas)

Two images showing the Cube II office tower from 2 different angles

The Cube II Office Tower in Guadalajara, Mexico, 2009 - 2014.

(Image credit: Photography: Jordi Bernadó)

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Estudio Carme Pinós website and the MPavilion website

Tom Howells is a London-based food journalist and editor. He’s written for Vogue, Waitrose Food, the Financial Times, The Fence, World of Interiors, Time Out and The Guardian, among others. His new book, An Opinionated Guide to London Wine, will be published by Hoxton Mini Press later this year.