The Lab Saigon Adapts a French Villa into a Contemporary Teabar
Matte Teabar Flagship, designed by The Lab Saigon, occupies a century-old French villa located within a residential alley in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The project adapts the historic structure into a contemporary teahouse while preserving the character of the existing architecture and responding to the quiet rhythm of the surrounding neighborhood. Rather than introducing prominent signage or bright lighting, the entrance is marked by a small swinging sign featuring a green cat. The gesture references the many cats commonly seen in the area and integrates the teahouse visually into the everyday life of the alley.
Upon entering the site, visitors encounter an outdoor garden space organized around the villa’s existing vegetation. The design approach preserves the open-air character of the courtyard while introducing seating arranged in low stools and flexible groupings. This configuration references the spatial culture of Vietnamese street cafés, where informal seating arrangements support conversation and social interaction. The courtyard establishes a gradual transition from the alley into the interior spaces of the teabar.
all images by Phu Dao
Monolithic Blocks Organize Matte Teabar Flagship’s interior
Inside the main building, the design by Studio Lab Saigon highlights the villa’s original construction elements. Exposed brick walls and a timber roof structure reveal the building’s historic fabric and material aging over time. Within this existing shell, new architectural elements are introduced as distinct contemporary volumes. Monolithic blocks define the bar counter and internal partitions, creating a clear contrast between the smooth surfaces of the new interventions and the textured masonry of the historic structure. This strategy allows the original architecture to remain visible while establishing new spatial organization for the teahouse.
An additional room located in the annex is designed specifically for ceremonial tea preparation and workshops. The space functions as a quieter environment within the project, separated from the more social areas of the garden and bar. The tea room is arranged to support demonstrations and tasting sessions, emphasizing the precise gestures associated with tea preparation. Lighting is provided by a custom pendant fixture shaped after a chasen, the traditional bamboo whisk used in tea ceremonies. The warm light focuses attention on the preparation area while reinforcing the thematic connection to tea culture.
project info:
name: Matte Teabar Flagship
architect: The Lab Saigon | @thelabsaigon
location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
interior design team: Tess Ngo, Tu Trinh, Gia Tu
graphic design: Kim Chi, Ven Bui
project management: Ngoc Son, Gia Tu
strategic partnership: Nhi Nguyen
print producers: Kim Cuong, Huyen Linh, Lab Procurement
documentation supporting materials: Dicafehong Team
fabric installation: Sunday Project
light installation: Lam Weaving Spaces
photographer: Phu Dao & Team
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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