A Thatched Roof Café In Mekong River Delta

A Thatched Roof Café In Mekong River Delta

MODANO Coffee / AD+Studio Architects

Settling within the mekong river delta, in vietnam, the modano café by AD+studio, reflects the seasonal and adrift lifestyle of the locals through its distinct stilt house architecture. this regional typology, characterized by a simple structure, with a light roof system covering the temporary framework below, has been frequently used, especially prior to urbanization, due to its harmonious resonation with the natural surroundings.

The seasonal and adrift lifestyle of the people in Mekong River delta was partly narrated through the architecture of stilt house. These all belonged to a typology characterized by simple structure, which comprised one light roof system covering the temporary framework below. Prior to urbanization, this regional architecture had long been in harmony with its then context, hence resonated with the surroundings

With the request of designing a ‘temporary’ café on a short-term rental site, the typology was depicted through the wavy thatched roof hovering on the delicate steal frame. The thoroughly opened space, the discarded use of partitions, along with the contrast stemmed from heavy roof and light truss, all at once emphasized the construction’s “adrift” whole.

Floor steps alternated with water and plants creating a space of several diverse layers. When combining with the intensity difference between the dark area under the roof and the light one around, the mentioned method took the atmosphere to a further depth.

Removal of partition walls was a way to exploit the corner land plot. The building’s openness is welcoming from all directions, with part of the pavement acted as a catalyst for more interaction. The familiar image of a tradition thatched house has been infused into the differently built form, which drew attention from afar and gradually revealed the bustling activities when drawing near. The visually stimulating cues would then fade away, hand the experience over to other senses.

Removal of partition walls was a way to exploit the corner land plot. The building’s openness is welcoming from all directions, with part of the pavement acted as a catalyst for more interaction. The familiar image of a tradition thatched house has been infused into the differently built form, which drew attention from afar and gradually revealed the bustling activities when drawing near. The visually stimulating cues would then fade away, hand the experience over to other senses.

Fact File

Project Name:  Modano Coffee

Location:  Cà Mau, Vietnam

Architects:  AD+studio

Architect In Charge: Nguyen Dang Anh Dung

Design Team: Nguyen Huu The Trang, Nguyen Van Trung, Tran Viet Loi, Vo Dinh Huynh

Area : 300 m²

Year: 2019

Photographs: Dũng Huỳnh