Arch Pavilion – Parametric Structure

Concept Overview
The core concept of this pavilion is the arch, which also gives the project its name. I chose the arch for its timeless geometry, ease of fabrication, structural efficiency, and long-term durability—qualities that reduce maintenance and environmental impact. In the Queen Victoria Garden, where many monuments and traditional structures are present, the arch becomes a bridge between heritage and modernity. My aim was to reinterpret this classical form into a contemporary pavilion that resonates with Melbourne’s urban identity while still echoing the garden’s historical context.

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Circulation and Thresholds
The circulation consists of two primary paths: one following the existing garden route through the pavilion, and another entering directly from the pavilion’s front. Secondary circulation emerges between arches of varying sizes, allowing free movement through porous, layered spaces. The density of the structure decreases outward, creating an open central gathering space surrounded by lighter peripheral zones. A directional axis subtly aligns the pavilion toward the NGV, grounding it within its site orientation.

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Inside and outside movement zones support walking, staying, and informal activities, with the outer threshold kept within the flower-bed boundary. Enlarged structural supports form seating, and a gentle slope near the entrance offers a natural viewing lawn. Integrated lighting at the base of supports and along a central structural pipe casts soft illumination across the pavilion’s main activity areas.

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Design Strategy
The form is generated through a combination of Kangaroo and Pufferfish. Kangaroo simulations first produce tensile meshes whose inflated edges naturally form arches aligned with the concept. Pufferfish is then used to create connecting lines—also arch-shaped—between selected edges. After filtering out lines that obstruct circulation or visual clarity, the chosen curves are thickened into pipes and merged with the mesh framework to create the final spatial system.