The Lab Saigon Adapts a French Villa right into a Up to date Teabar
Matte Teabar Flagship, designed by The Lab Saigon, occupies a century-old French villa positioned inside a residential alley in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Vietnam. The venture adapts the historic construction into a recent teahouse whereas preserving the character of the prevailing structure and responding to the quiet rhythm of the encircling neighborhood. Somewhat than introducing distinguished signage or brilliant lighting, the doorway is marked by a small swinging signal that includes a inexperienced cat. The gesture references the various cats generally seen within the space and integrates the teahouse visually into the on a regular basis lifetime of the alley.
Upon coming into the location, guests encounter an out of doors backyard house organized across the villa’s current vegetation. The design method preserves the open-air character of the courtyard whereas introducing seating organized in low stools and versatile groupings. This configuration references the spatial tradition of Vietnamese avenue cafés, the place casual seating preparations assist dialog and social interplay. The courtyard establishes a gradual transition from the alley into the inside areas of the teabar.
all photos by Phu Dao
Monolithic Blocks Arrange Matte Teabar Flagship’s inside
Inside the primary constructing, the design by Studio Lab Saigon highlights the villa’s authentic development parts. Uncovered brick partitions and a timber roof construction reveal the constructing’s historic cloth and materials growing older over time. Inside this current shell, new architectural parts are launched as distinct modern volumes. Monolithic blocks outline the bar counter and inner partitions, creating a transparent distinction between the sleek surfaces of the brand new interventions and the textured masonry of the historic construction. This technique permits the unique structure to stay seen whereas establishing new spatial group for the teahouse.
A further room positioned within the annex is designed particularly for ceremonial tea preparation and workshops. The house features as a quieter surroundings throughout the venture, separated from the extra social areas of the backyard and bar. The tea room is organized to assist demonstrations and tasting classes, emphasizing the exact gestures related to tea preparation. Lighting is offered by a customized pendant fixture formed after a chasen, the standard bamboo whisk utilized in tea ceremonies. The nice and cozy gentle focuses consideration on the preparation space whereas reinforcing the thematic connection to tea tradition.
