The Olinda Tea House is the realization of the owners’ dream to create a beautiful public space in the tranquil environment of Olinda on the outskirts of Melbourne. Designed by Smith and Tracey Architects, the pavilion-style building is located on an existing clear area within seventeen acres of wholesale flower and foliage farm. A floating butterfly roof form sits atop large glazed walls and is surrounded by timber decking. The building is oriented to maximize north solar access and views down the valley to the west and north-west.
Accessibility was key to the design, and the floor level allows easy access from the existing car park. The interior of the building is level and all decks and walkways are accessible by wheelchair.
The butterfly roof was designed not only to complement the building’s natural forest setting, but also to allow for maximum natural light to enter the building, the collection of rainwater and the installation of solar panels.
The functional services area containing kitchen, stores and toilets is plugged on to the east end as a low-level flat-roofed element clad in rough-sawn western red cedar timber boards. The balustrade panels feature laser-cut panels showing local Mt Dandenong imagery.
The entry to the tea house is enhanced by a series of staged revealment elements, from the dense landscape design and screen fence that provides concealment from the car park to the prominent curved earth wall providing an initial southern garden focus.
