The Tea Room
MONTENEGRO
COMPLETED 2015
PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL
PHOTO CREDITS - VICTOR HADJIKYRIACOU
This summer pavilion is designed to complement the gardens of an existing villa in Montenegro, drawing inspiration from traditional tea room pavilions that historically sheltered fruit trees and enhanced the garden. A steel and timber arcade pergola, covered with bougainvillea and jasmine, forms a shaded pathway leading to the pavilion, accentuating the transition from the garden to the tea room.
The pavilion’s steel structure is crafted from bespoke, laser-cut steel members, spanning across to form a geometric space. On the rear side, a penetrating volume houses secondary functions, such as bathrooms and a small kitchen area, subtly integrated into the overall design.
Full-height double doors encircle the pavilion, opening on all sides to create a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding orangery garden. An extension of the structure, a wrap-around pergola, provides natural shading to the interior during the hot summer days while softening the transition between the pavilion and the garden.
The pavilion’s structural framework is topped with a weathered copper roof, selected for its ability to blend organically over time with the natural palette of the surrounding landscape.
Internally, the pavilion features a modern interpretation of the orangery, with cement tile flooring and a central solid wood island bar. The space is illuminated by contemporary lighting, enhancing its open, airy feel.
Stained glass panels, wrapped around the perimeter above the doors, display a seascape design, referencing the villas' coastal location. These panels allow coloured light to filter through the interior, creating dynamic light effects at different times of the day
As with previous projects for this villa, the entire structure was prefabricated off-site in a factory in Cyprus, ensuring precise detailing and seamless connections. Once completed, the structure was dismantled, carefully labeled, and packed into two 40-foot containers for shipment to Montenegro.
On-site assembly took 4 weeks, carried out by our team of specialists, and was completed in time for the family to enjoy another summer season at the estate, with a new addition to enhance their experience.
