The Brix & Momentum Showroom

The Brix is a tropical restaurant located in the heart of District 2, Ho Chi Minh City’s expat neighborhood. In response to the highly dense and polluted megalopolis, the project was driven by the desire to create a serene oasis, offering a break from the concrete jungle. As interior designers and architects, we envisioned a space that integrates nature and design to provide a refreshing, peaceful retreat within the bustling urban environment.

The premise of the design was to establish an outdoor environment that remains cool through passive design principles. The 120-seat restaurant is situated between a water body, a swimming pool, and an expansive tropical garden. The perimeter walls were designed to allow airflow through them, creating a cross-ventilation effect that draws cool air from the pool and expels warm air towards the hot street, effectively cooling down the central space. The curvy, organic shapes of the pergola were purposefully designed to create a dynamic interaction between the building and the landscape, encouraging a flow of life and energy throughout the project. This approach enhances the space by allowing the surrounding landscape to embrace the restaurant and improve the air quality.

Materials such as locally sourced wood and ceramic bricks were selected to reflect the traditional construction methods of South Vietnam. The intricate patterns of the bricks, along with their manufacturing and integration into the local landscape, echo the vernacular architecture of the region. The project combines industrialized construction techniques with a deep connection to the nostalgic elements of Saigon’s history, linking the city’s past with its modern, industrious future. In contrast, the Momentum Living Showroom intervention repurposes an existing French neo-colonial building. Here, the interior design breaks away from the surrounding context, offering a minimalistic and industrial design that serves as a neutral backdrop for the furniture showroom. Large windows were incorporated to fill the space with natural light, creating a play of shadows between the industrial interiors and the surrounding lush landscape, allowing the furniture to take center stage in this tranquil, refined setting.