Photography by Peter Bennetts.

The 2017 NGV Architecture Commission Design Competition is now open.

The Commission calls on registered architects to submit innovative proposals for the activation of the Grollo Equiset Garden, one of Melbourne’s civic spaces, through the intervention of a participatory, evocative and thought-provoking work of site-specific, temporary architecture.

For 2017, competitors are encouraged to explore and reveal progressive thinking and approaches to activation and audience engagement, materials, systems, manufacturing, fabrication, technology, sustainability and cultural resonance.

While all teams must be led by an architect registered in Australia, competitors are encouraged to collaborate with other cultural, creative and industry professionals, both within Australia and beyond, and to engage with global forces.

John Wardle Architects’ 2015 winning design, ‘I Dips Me Lid’.

The competition will be held in two stages. An anonymous stage one calls for high-level design proposals, of which up to five will be chosen to proceed to a paid stage two. These shortlisted submissions will then be further developed and refined for presentation to the competition jury.

The jury will select a winner, who will be commissioned by the NGV to complete the design development and delivery of the work.

Led by the Department of Contemporary Design and Architecture, the NGV Architecture Commission winners have previously been designed by John Wardle Architects (2015) and M@ STUDIO Architects (2016).

M@ STUDIO Architects’ design, entitled Haven’t you always wanted to run through all that foam at the car lovers?, is currently on display at the NGV. The design takes its dimensions from an existing car wash in Blackburn and features five ‘bays,’ two of them with hanging curtains of red plastic, while another diffuses mist in mimicry of a real-life car wash. The bay lanes are comprised bright pink astro turf, and the structure is topped with an illuminated ‘car wash’ sign.

M@ STUDIO Architects’ ‘Haven’t you always wanted to run through all that foam at the car lovers?’.

John Wardle Architects’ installation, I Dips Me Lid, followed a parametric design principle and utilised a simplistic timber structure, with pink cloth folds connecting the timber supports into a singular space.

The competition registration period for this year is 25 January–6 March 2017.

To register or for further information visit citylab.com.au.

The NGV is also currently hosting the Glenn Murcutt: Architecture of Faith exhibition, which will run until February 19. For more information, click here.