Blauwe Theehuis, Tea house in Vondelpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Blauwe Theehuis is a tea house in Vondelpark with a distinctive ring-shaped structure spanning two stories, constructed from concrete, steel, and glass with blue-painted edges and supporting columns. The building provides indoor seating across both floors and includes outdoor terrace areas, offering multiple ways to enjoy drinks and food.
The modernist pavilion was designed in 1937 by architect Herman Ambrosius Jan Baanders to replace an earlier establishment destroyed by fire in 1936. This construction marked a fresh start for the location using contemporary design principles.
The pavilion serves as a meeting place in Vondelpark where visitors come to drink tea, share meals, and spend time together throughout the day. It draws people seeking a break within the park who want to enjoy a moment of respite in this social space.
Visitors should know that the location experiences varying levels of activity at different times of day, with the most enjoyable moments often occurring during milder hours. Access to both levels and terraces allows you to choose the best views and preferred seating based on the time of day.
The structure follows a ring-shaped design resembling a flying saucer, with an octagonal floor plan on the ground level and a twelve-sided shape above. This unusual geometric solution was a bold architectural choice at the time of completion, reflecting modernist design principles.
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