CHUK Heritage Cafe by 6717 Studio

Located at the bustling intersection of Street 38 and Xuan Thuy in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, CHUK Heritage Cafe stands as a distinctive cultural and culinary destination. The project unites two brands (CHUK TEA & COFFEE and BÁNH MÌ ƠI), offering traditional Vietnamese beverages and banh mi in a setting that is both contemporary and deeply connected to heritage. Designed as more than a café, the project reflects the client’s vision for a cultural hub, providing visitors with diverse experiences that connect people to nature and preserve a sense of local identity amid rapid urbanization.

Renovation and Structural Transformation

While the café retains its original structural framework, it has undergone a comprehensive transformation to meet both functional and aesthetic requirements. The renovation harmoniously integrates new spatial concepts with the existing building, enhancing its presence within the urban fabric. By balancing continuity with innovation, the project marks a positive contribution to the streetscape, resonating with the rhythm of the surrounding neighborhood while offering a fresh architectural statement.

Roof Design and Streetscape Interaction

The most striking architectural element is the expansive, gracefully curved roof, inspired by traditional Vietnamese forms. Extending outward at the corner of the intersection, it serves as both a visual focal point and a connective element between interior and exterior spaces. This roof forms a breezy veranda on the second floor, offering a flexible, semi-outdoor environment that encourages interaction with the streetscape. Shaded verandas, reflective water surfaces, and low seating reinforce a sense of nostalgia, inviting guests to linger and engage with the café and its surroundings.

Interior Harmony: Tradition Meets Modernity

Inside, the design merges traditional and contemporary materials to create a cohesive, welcoming atmosphere. Wood, terrazzo, raw concrete, and handcrafted ceramic tiles evoke simplicity and tactile warmth, while mirrors and glass strategically expand the spatial perception and obscure existing structural columns. This approach allows the interior to feel open and continuous, guiding visitors through interconnected spaces while celebrating subtle craftsmanship. The design language of curved forms, introduced at the veranda, extends into the interior, unifying the experience across levels.

Upper-Level Workspaces and Light-Filled Ambience

The third floor transforms the café into a tranquil, semi-private workspace, featuring vaulted ceilings and expansive glass windows that allow natural light to flood the interior. The continuity of curved forms creates a soft, flowing aesthetic that connects the workspace visually and conceptually with the floors below. This upper level provides a contemporary setting for study or informal gatherings, reinforcing CHUK Heritage’s role as a multifunctional cultural hub that accommodates both relaxation and productivity.

Preserving Identity and Connecting to Nature

CHUK Heritage Cafe achieves more than architectural sophistication; it preserves Vietnamese identity and fosters a meaningful connection to nature. The project’s combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, reflective water features, and layered materiality cultivates a rich, multi-sensory experience. Visitors are invited to engage with the natural environment, the cityscape, and the cultural narrative simultaneously. By balancing heritage-inspired gestures with modern spatial organization, the café elevates the everyday act of dining into an immersive experience, creating an emotional and memorable journey for every guest.

Photography: Hiroyuki Oki