Mobile Event Tent (MET)

A photograph of the Afternoon Tea event taking place inside the MET. Attendees are sitting at 4 row of table enjoying cake and tea.

An audience is seated on the retractable auditorium seating at the MET during the openign ceremony in 2022.

A three stage architectural drawing of how the MET is built.

The MET (Mobile Event Tent) is a unique temporary mobile structure. The main structure of the octangular MET is formed from four customised 20 ft, special high cube shipping containers with side opening doors. These are linked by an internal demountable floor and when combined with access ramps produce a completely accessible space for everyone. The structure is enveloped in a translucent stretch tent fabric, creating a bespoke fully equipped adaptable space which can be an auditorium with tiered retractable seating for 100 people, or a venue twelve meters square. Its flexible interior accommodated, theatre, cinema, dance, music, exhibitions, workshops, meals, community events and much more.

Its mobility means that it can visit places across the city to broaden participation in cultural activities. It moves beyond the confines of the city centre, venturing into neighbourhoods where cultural opportunities are low. By bringing the arts directly to communities of economic disadvantage, the MET ensures that everyone has a chance to participate, learn, develop skills, and be inspired. All its components pack down into four shipping containers which are then transported to its next site ready to pop up again.

It is an important piece of community cultural infrastructure that is playing a key role in continuing the provision of cultural events and attractions in the city for future years.

The MET has been featured in designboom here and Corridor 8 here.