Concept
‘A home that reflects Asian warmth and lightness while integrating Melbourne’s local context.’ Set in the busy south-east suburb of Melbourne, the ‘Tea House’ hoped to capture comfort, cultural connection and a sense of familiarity for a family of four.
Design Response to Concept and Brief
The client’s passion for oriental architecture guides the balance of tradition and modernity. Each element and material instill tranquility, enveloping the home in an undisturbed atmosphere.
A heavy masonry brick on the ground floor contrasts with a lightweight timber batten façade above, creating a lantern effect. Large timber doors lead inside, where dark brick walls invert the outdoor experience, emphasizing continuity.
The tearoom, positioned at the front, reinterprets the traditional porch, where the family can enjoy morning sunlight while sipping tea—a homage to timeless rituals.
Response to Constraints
Contrasting the suburb’s chaotic density, the house offers spaces of calm. However, the materiality seeks to describe its context, blending cultural nuances with local influences through locally sourced materials like Monier Nullarbor Terracotta Roof Tiles, Austral Brick Metallic Platinum Bricks, and Cambia Ash Timber Battens.
The grandparents' retreat required balancing separation with accessibility while avoiding isolation. Positioned at the rear, it integrates Melbourne’s granny flat with multigenerational design. A central hallway, acting as the spine, links the retreat to the main house, allowing the grandparents their own space while keeping them connected to the family.
Relationship to Context and Broader Public Benefit
‘The Tea House roots itself in place while appearing to float like a lantern, its timber batten façade illuminating the surroundings.’
The design isn't only about the clients; it is about the local context. It blends cultural influences with the local context, supplementing Melbourne’s multicultural identity. We considered the roof forms and materials of the surrounding dwellings, taking cues from and complementing the context.
Outdoor nooks created from architectural push and pull prioritize privacy with timber screens limiting adjacent views. An open roof design offers an expansive sky, while façade punctures frame glimpses of the streetscape and cityscape beyond, integrating it into the home.
A shared courtyard serves as a meeting point, strengthening connections among extended families or potential tenants. Reflecting trends toward multi-generational living, this flexible design model is adaptable to suburban settings and addresses evolving housing needs.
Sustainability
Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the use of locally sourced materials, reducing environmental impact and supporting local economies. North-oriented timber battens provide sun shading for thermal performance and privacy, while the traditional tiled roof offers insulation, enhancing energy efficiency. Large green shrouded doors and motorized windows optimize cross ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling and promoting energy conservation.
Spatial continuity and positive energy flow is achieved by aligning the front entry door and a circular wall opening along an axis that connects rooms. These design choices follow Feng Shui principles, adding harmony and balance to the house, honouring tradition, offering a sense of peace, connection, and belonging for the family.
Team:
Architects: Krisna Cheung Architects
Design & Project Architect: Ray Cheung
Graduate of Architecture: Welan Chu
Student of Architects: Stewart Wu & De Lester Wong
Contractor: Fine Home Construction
Structural Engineer: Y.W Yong Structural Engineers
Landscape Architects: Coxcape Studio
Structural Engineer: Y.W Yong Structural Engineers
Energy & Sustainable: Consultants-Efficient energy choices
Photo credits: Peter Bennetts Studio
Materials Used:
Kitchen, living & dining cabinets: VIFA International
Entry light stained glass: Adadaz glass artists
Garage (Perspex) door: Mitchell group Australia
Lighting & security: Bright green lighting & Richmond lighting
Facade: Ground floor - Austral Brick `Matallix Platinum‘
1st floor – 40mmx40mm Cambia Ash timber battens
Window & Doors: Double glazed aluminium framed
Roof: Monier Nullarbor Terra Cotta Roof Tiles & Lysaght `Klip-Lok‘ Metal Deck Roof
