Naomi Milgrom AO, Chair of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation has announced a major new architecture commission and design event for Melbourne, which will see a temporary pavilion constructed annually in the Queen Victoria Memorial Gardens.

Internationally acclaimed Australian architect Sean Godsell has been commissioned to create the inaugural MPavilion. It will part of the official program of the 2014 Melbourne Festival.

Presented from 6 October 2014 to 31 January 2015, the new MPavilion will form the cultural hub for the four-month event. There will be free public talks, workshops, performances and installations.

The idea behind the project has been inspired by London’s Serpentine Pavilion, which is constructed annually at Hyde Park.

The project is part of the partnership between the City of Melbourne and the Victorian State Government and the Naomi Milgrom Foundation. The latter has committed to funding design and construction of at least four annual temporary pavilions to be presented in the Queen Victoria Memorial Gardens, before being bequeathed to the City of Melbourne.

“MPavilion will reinforce Melbourne’s standing as a global leader in design and architecture with the creation of a pavilion designed by four outstanding architects over four years,” Naomi Milgrom said. “It will be activated with a dynamic public program delivered in collaboration with some of Australia’s most respected cultural organisations.”

Also present at today’s event was the Hon Louise Asher MP, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.