Glenn Murcutt to design 2019 MPavilion in Melbourne

Australian architect Glenn Murcutt has been unveiled as the designer of the 2019 MPavilion in Melbourne. The announcement, revealed today by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation – the commissioning body behind the annual architectural event – marks the launch of this year's cycle for the pavilion, which will be the structure's sixth iteration.
Murcutt's participation will surely be widely welcome, long respected and recognised as a key proponent of modern Australian architecture, he was honoured with the Pritzker Prize in 2002. He is also a well known champion of an environmentally sensitive approach that is firmly ‘of its place'. The architect's rich portfolio includes a variety of single family houses, as well as the recently completed Australian Islamic Centre in Melbourne (undertaken in equal collaboration with architect Hakan Elevli).
Glenn Murcutt is arguably Australia’s most recognised architect.
When asked about this year's choice of architect, MPavilion founder Naomi Milgrom explained: ‘Quintessentially Australian and ahead of his time, Glenn’s thoughtfulness about people, placemaking and the environment continues to inspire us all.' It is this sensitivity, sense of place and cross-disciplininary aspect that will no doubt shine through the 2019 MPavilion commission, the design of which will be unveiled later in the year.
‘It’s extraordinary what Naomi has achieved with MPavilion', says Murcutt. ‘She’s one of the great people in this country for supporting the arts, and more than just art but architecture, with a special understanding of city life. MPavilion is an interesting and assiduous project, and I’m honoured to be commissioned.'
Murcutt's MPavilion is scheduled to open to the public on 12 November 2019 and access will be free, and accompanied by a varied programme of specially planned events.
Donaldson House, Palm Beach Peninsula NSW.
Short House, Nth Coast NSW.
Simpson-Lee House, Mt Wilson Blue Mountains NSW
Walsh House, Kangaroo Valley NSW
INFORMATION
For more information visit the website of the MPavilion
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Fouquet’s New York: a lush, urban cocoon for the 21st century
Set in the heart of Tribeca, Fouquet’s New York balances French-inspired refinement and cosiness
-
The 2025 Obel Award is scooped not by an architect or building, but by a movement
HouseEurope! has won the 2025 Obel Award; the non-profit organisation has been advocating for ecological and social transformation in the built environment
-
What the Wallpaper* editors are looking forward to at Men’s Fashion Week S/S 2026
As Men’s Fashion Week S/S 2026 begins in Florence today, the Wallpaper* style team select the moments they will be looking out for – from Jonathan Anderson’s anticipated Dior debut to outings from Wales Bonner, Kiko Kostadinov and Prada
-
Lego and Serpentine celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilion
Lego and Serpentine have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
A Republic Tower apartment refresh breathes new life to a Melbourne classic
Local studio Multiplicity's refresh signals a new turn for an iconic Melbourne landmark
-
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready to visit, ‘an exhibition you can use’
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready for its public opening on 6 June; we toured the structure and spoke to its architect, Marina Tabassum
-
A Japanese maple adds quaint charm to a crisp, white house in Sydney
Bellevue Hill, a white house by Mathieson Architects, is a calm retreat layered with minimalism and sophistication
-
A redesigned warehouse complex taps into nostalgia in Queensland
A warehouse in Queensland has been transformed from neglected industrial sheds to a vibrant community hub by architect Jared Webb, drawing on the typology's nostalgic feel
-
Australian bathhouse ‘About Time’ bridges softness and brutalism
‘About Time’, an Australian bathhouse designed by Goss Studio, balances brutalist architecture and the softness of natural patina in a Japanese-inspired wellness hub
-
The humble glass block shines brightly again in this Melbourne apartment building
Thanks to its striking glass block panels, Splinter Society’s Newburgh Light House in Melbourne turns into a beacon of light at night
-
A contemporary retreat hiding in plain sight in Sydney
This contemporary retreat is set behind an unassuming neo-Georgian façade in the heart of Sydney’s Woollahra Village; a serene home designed by Australian practice Tobias Partners