Brother Coffee Bakery is a relatively new name among Vietnamese coffee brands and has yet to establish a signature design style. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the café enjoys a prime spot with a wider street frontage and deeply recessed building blocks compared to neighboring structures. These spatial advantages are key elements that the architect highlights in the design.
The inspiration behind Brother Coffee Baking Shop’s design stems from an imagined scene of coffee plants growing on red basalt deep underground. To immerse visitors in this imaginative, ‘floating’ environment, the architects carefully selected materials and spatial elements that reflect this concept.
The café was renovated from an existing building, which initially had many columns. To unify the seemingly scattered column grid, the design team introduced a large communal “table strip” spanning the first floor. This feature guides guests from the street into the indoor space, then onto a cozy outdoor garden on the second floor. The indoor atrium connects both floors and includes a planted tree area that receives natural light from above. Together with the recessed building blocks and lush greenery, the design creates a natural and inviting atmosphere.
The interior design contrasts the rugged “brick red” blocks with soft curves created by the white metal mesh system, transforming the original rigid glass office building into a warm and dynamic space. The striking use of colors, forms, and materials defines Brother Coffee Bakery’s unique character.
The architects incorporated the exterior’s red clay bricks throughout the interior to create a cohesive connection between inside and outside. This material appears on floors, walls, the bar area, and even on select tables and chairs. The white metal mesh ceiling “cloud” weaves through various floors and facades, adding a light, airy dimension. Additionally, the brand’s signature navy blue and natural wood finishes are seamlessly integrated into the space.
By combining a large communal table, sinuous metal grids, and straight red clay bricks, the architects crafted a harmonious and inviting “soft paradise” within the building.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
Project Information
Architectural Design: Red5 Studio
Area: 374 square meters
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Do Sy
Manufacturers: INAX, Ori Lighting
Owner: Anh Coffee Roastery
Design Team: Lén Chén Tréc, Nguyen Bay Nhi, Tran Thi Kim Duyen, Lam Léng, Le Hung Thao, Pham Hoang Unique
Builder: Anh Coffee Roastery
Architect: Red5 Studio
Location: Vietnam
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