Olbrich Gardens Royal Thai Pavilion Roof Replacement

October 17, 2024 Update

Kalam, the general contractor for the project, completed the decorative finishes portion of the project and removed the enclosure, scaffolding, and construction area from the adjacent parking lot.  The Royal Thai Pavilion opened to visitors on October 1.  A grand re-opening celebration will likely be planned for 2025.

Visit our project Flickr page for photos.

View past project updates »

Project Details

  • Location

    • 3330 Atwood Ave
      Madison, WI 53704
  • Project Type

  • Status

    Completed
  • Estimated Schedule

  • Alder District

    District 15

Project Information

Project Overview

The Royal Thai Pavilion, located in Olbrich Botanical Gardens at 3330 Atwood Avenue in Madison, Wisconsin was fabricated in Thailand using traditional construction techniques and materials. The pavilion was a gift to the University of Wisconsin – Madison from the Thai Government and the Thai Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. The pavilion was constructed in Thailand and then shipped to Wisconsin to be reconstructed by Thai artisans at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in September of 2001. The pavilion is constructed of plantation-grown teak without the use of nails or screws. The structure is 40 feet long, 22 feet wide and 30 feet high. The structure of the pavilion is in excellent condition; however, the architectural finishes have deteriorated since the construction of the pavilion. The roof ridge caps and flashing details are in poor condition and require replacement.

The City and Olbrich Botanical Gardens would like to understand the best way to make repairs to the structure and are commissioning a report to be completed by a consultant. The purpose of the Olbrich Botanical Gardens Royal Thai Pavilion Condition Assessment and Repair Report project is to assess the condition and prioritize repairs for the pavilion structure and finish materials with specific interest in developing a plan to repair the roof system using methods that retain traditional Thai construction techniques. A consultant Request for Proposals was issued on September 3, 2021 and responses are due October 1, 2021.

June 1, 2022: InSite Consulting Architects was selected to prepare a condition assessment report and construction documents to inform the roof repair. InSite conducted a survey of the roof materials, the structural framing members, and the decorative finishes and determined that the roof was in critical condition. In addition, InSite found that the decorative finishes required repair. A Public Information Meeting is being scheduled for June 1 to share the findings of the report and the plan to complete the repairs.

October 10, 2022 update: InSite Consulting Architects provided a condition assessment report that describes the condition of the components of the Royal Thai Pavilion. The condition of the roof shingles and flashings were determined to be poor and in need of replacement. Other components were found to be in fair to good condition. To address the critical roof condition, InSite is currently preparing Construction Documents with the plan to go to bid in the next 4-6 months. The other wood repair and decorative painting condition issues will be addressed as a separate project.

May 10, 2023 update: InSite Consulting Architects has completed the roof replacement project Construction Documents and the Request for Bids (RFB) has been posted. Bids are due June 2, 2023 by 2:00 PM. Please visit Demand Star or Vendor Net to access the RFB and bid documents.

July 05, 2023 update: Project status change to CONSTRUCTION! Bidding is complete and the contract is being finalized with the selected bidder. The clay roof tiles have a long lead time so those will be ordered soon to ensure that roof replacement work can begin in the fall.

Oct. 3, 2023 update: The contractor has mobilized on site and the scaffolding is being set up. The scaffolding will completely enclose the structure so that crews can work over winter. The roof tile submittals are being reviewed to ensure the best match to the existing roof tiles.  Visit our project Flickr page for additional photos!

Royal Thai Pavilion 20231003-1
Royal Thai Pavilion 20231003-2
Royal Thai Pavilion 20231003-3

 

Royal Thai Pavilion (Pre-Construction 2023):

Olbrich Thai Sala

Public Involvement

There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates, times and locations are indicated below:

Public Information Meetings

May 9, 2023 Bid Talk: Royal Thai Pavilion Roof Replacement Recording

June 1, 2022 Public Information Meeting Recording
June 1, 2022 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

In the News

August 20, 2024 WMTV 15
Olbrich Botanical Gardens open Thai Garden, Royal Thai Pavilion to open next month

August 16, 2024 WISCNews.com 
Royal Thai Pavilion's restoration is a step closer to completion

June 14, 2024 Wisconsin State Journal
Royal Thai Pavilion gets the gold treatment

June 14, 2024 Wisconsin State Journal
Photos: The restoration of the Royal Thai Pavilion at Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Jan. 29, 2024 Wisconsin State Journal
Here's what Madisonians wrote on new tiles for the Olbrich Thai Pavilion

Jan. 28, 2024 WKOW 27
Olbrich Botanical Gardens invites people to sign new ceiling tiles at Royal Thai Pavilion

Jan. 28, 2024 Channel 3000.com
Residents sign new roof of the Royal Thai Pavilion

Jan. 28, 2024 WMTV 15
Olbrich Gardens gets 900 people to write hopeful messages on future Thai Pavilion tiles

Jan. 26, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
You can sign Spanish tiles that will be part of Olbrich Gardens' Thai pavilion on Sunday

Jan. 18, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Thai Pavilion gets a makeover in the deep of winter

Jan. 18, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Photos: Restoration of the Royal Thai Pavilion

Jan. 17, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Take a peek under the tarp during the restoration of the Royal Thai Pavilion

Nov. 20, 2023 City of Madison Mayor's Office Blog
Keeping Madison’s Royal Thai Pavilion Beautiful

Nov. 07, 2023 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand
The Renovation of Thai Pavilion at Olbrich Botanical Garden, Wisconsin

Sept. 11, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Olbrich's Thai Garden off limits for the moment, as the bridge and pavilion need repairs

June 02, 2022 Wisconsin State Journal
Thai Pavilion at Olbrich Botanical Gardens to face restoration, "We had no other alternative"

May 31, 2022 wortfm.org
Olbrich’s Royal Thai Pavilion Needs Repair

Project Updates

October 17, 2024 Update

Kalam, the general contractor for the project, completed the decorative finishes portion of the project and removed the enclosure, scaffolding, and construction area from the adjacent parking lot.  The Royal Thai Pavilion opened to visitors on October 1.  A grand re-opening celebration will likely be planned for 2025.

Visit our project Flickr page for photos.

August 21, 2024 Update
August 20, 2024 Update

In the News

August 16, 2024 WISCNews.com 
Royal Thai Pavilion's restoration is a step closer to completion

June 17, 2024 Update

In the News

June 14, 2024 Wisconsin State Journal
Royal Thai Pavilion gets the gold treatment

June 14, 2024 Wisconsin State Journal
Photos: The restoration of the Royal Thai Pavilion at Olbrich Botanical Gardens

May 10, 2024 Update

In March, the scaffolding enclosure was completed and roof tile removal began.  The tiles that had been inscribed in 2001 were salvaged where possible. Removing the roof tiles uncovered that many of the tiles and flashings were in poor condition. Roof sheathing and a moisture barrier were installed on the slopes to aid in keeping wind driven rain and snow from getting under the roof tiles and into the attic space and then causing damage to the ceiling boards.  Over 1000 new roof tiles were inscribed with messages and placed on the roof interspersed with plain tiles.  

As the roof nears completion now in May, the crew has shifted to working on the restoration of the decorative finishes. Areas of deteriorated wood have been repaired with epoxy and the wood has been prepared for repainting and application of decorative finishes.  Deteriorated areas of gold leaf have been stabilized and prepared for gilding. Stencils are being recreated for stencil application.  The scope of work for the mosaic tiles is being determined at this time.

Visit our project Flickr page for photos!

January 29, 2024 Update
January 18, 2024 Update

In the News

Jan. 18, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Thai Pavilion gets a makeover in the deep of winter

Jan. 18, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Photos: Restoration of the Royal Thai Pavilion

Jan. 17, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal 
Take a peek under the tarp during the restoration of the Royal Thai Pavilion

November 20, 2023 Update

In the News

Nov. 20, 2023 City of Madison Mayor's Office Blog
Keeping Madison’s Royal Thai Pavilion Beautiful

November 9, 2023 Update

In the News

Nov. 07, 2023 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand
The Renovation of Thai Pavilion at Olbrich Botanical Garden, Wisconsin

November 8, 2023 Update

The scaffolding has been erected and enclosed.  The Contractor has removed all of the roof tiles and flashings and is now working to prepare the roof structure to receive the new roof tiles.  This preparation will include removing and replacing battens as needed, installing a roof membrane and new flashings, and adding a wire mesh.  

 

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