BoardGrove Architects’ Outdoor Pavilions for NGV’s Summer Dining Program.

Situated in NGV’s International garden, BoardGrove Architects’ pavilions for NGV’s 2020 Triennial summer outdoor dining program were designed and constructed in a short 7 week time frame after Melbourne was emerging from the COVID lockdown in late October.

Nestled under trees, next to permanent sculptures and temporary Triennial installations, the pavilions are part of a wider celebration of art and music in the garden. They were designed to operate in two states – predominantly used as picnic pavilions, but also able to operate as formal dining spaces for a month.

“The pavilions sit next to a powerful Triennial artwork by French street artist JR about Murray Darling Basin,” explain BoardGrove Architects. “This got us thinking about simple structures associated with camping along riverbeds in the Australian bush. The casual informality of swags and tents, hung over branches or propped up with poles is a quintessential image of Australian summer – a desire for escapism particularly craved by many Melbournians post months of intense pandemic lockdown.”

Each pavilion features a repetitive A-frame structure nestled between mature trees and a raised deck that avoids disturbing the ground. During the picnicking event, the decks act as a stage for various types of informal gatherings, while a canvas roof slung between the frames sets the stage for a formal dining experience. Combined with vertical lighting and custom long linear tables, the billowing roofs allow for low lying branches to span overhead unscathed, casting soft shadows across the interior space.

“With a low soft roof and feeling of being elevated in the garden each pavilion creates a sense of intimate enclosure with minimal means,” explains the team. “Like being under a tent awning you feel like you are in an interior space but still in close proximity to the trees, long grass and artworks in the garden.”

In order to minimise waste associated with temporary structures, BoardGrove sourced materials or components that could be re-used in future.

“The raised decks are custom timber pallets factory made that can be reused after the event,” they explain. “The A-frame structures are made from pine and can be recycled. The canvas roofs can be re-purposed for various uses from bags to clothing. The lighting is intended to be re-used for other NGV events and the tables are designed to be flat packed so the gallery can easily store for future large-scale dining events such as The Gala. Chairs are borrowed from the NGV Education Space.”

Related: Gallery Inspired Melbourne Apartment Renovation by BoardGrove Architects.

[Images courtesy of BoardGrove Architects. Photography by Rory Gardiner.]