Fretard Design was commissioned to produce Australia’s first Tealive store, introducing the successful Malaysian bubble tea company to Melbourne’s CBD.

The practice has presented a colourful tea stop in the city’s largest transit hub, Southern Cross Station, and the project is a visually stimulating space of vibrant purples and yellow that attracts customers and energises the spirit.

A striking ceiling installation, representative of the way in which the straw perforates the bubble tea lid, has been included to add intrigue and texture to the store layout, while emphasising the bold brand colours and quirky personality of the retail offering.

The palette comes from a neutral base with additions of colour that direct the eye towards a countertop and the splashes of purple, teal and yellow. The partial green wall breathes natural life into the already vibrant space, creating a sense of wellness, with a subtle nod to the abundance of greenery found in the many Tealive stores across Asia.

There is a concrete floor and minimal seating, and bench space has been provided for the consistent flow of traffic and fast-paced service demanded of the transient environment within the station.

Photography by Nicole Cleary