Project Name: Phe La Da Nang Cafe
Location: Da Nang, Vietnam
Design Team: 6717 Studio
Total Floor Area: 300 m²
Completion: 2023
Photography: Hiroyuki Oki
Feature:
Project - Vietnamese architecture studio 6717 Studio completed the Phe La Da Nang Cafe project on Nguyen Van Linh Street in Da Nang, creating a harmonious 300-square-meter tea house that seamlessly blends modern architectural language with traditional Vietnamese architectural elements, elevating the cultural ritual of Oolong tea drinking into a contemporary spatial experience. More than just a popular spot for Oolong tea, this tea house offers a unique and tranquil experience that brings guests closer to nature.
The project's most compelling design feature lies in its sculptural interpretation of natural forms-the architects masterfully drew inspiration from ocean waves and the iconic Pomu wood roofs of Vietnam's Central Highlands, defining an architectural language characterized by soft, flowing curves that evoke a sense of calm and fluidity. The large sweeping roof and central atrium not only serve functional purposes but also create a gentle architectural transition between the ground floor and the upper level. These curves act as spatial bridges, seamlessly connecting intimate ground-floor nooks with the airy expanses above.
Architectural forms here are more than structural-they guide light like a sculptor shapes form. Carefully curated openings allow natural light to flow in through slender windows and narrow skylights, blurring the boundaries between inside and out. In this dialogue between solid and void, light and material, the architecture becomes an exploration of space, time, and perception.
Most striking is the building's material expression strategy, though modern in silhouette, the space is grounded in raw, sensory materials: cool Thanh Hoa stone underfoot, earth-toned rammed earth walls that breathe with the environment, and the subtle scent of Pomu wood overhead. The interplay between wood and steel furnishings, softened by the gentle glow of rattan pendant lights, creates a mood that is both peaceful and inviting, a place where authentic city and simplicity feel refreshingly new yet comfortingly familiar.
Traditional Vietnamese architectural elements such as water ponds and open verandas have been reinterpreted with restraint and grace. The veranda acts as a threshold extending the interior into the urban fabric while welcoming the outdoors inward. Meanwhile, the calm reflecting pool at the entrance does more than cool the air; it marks a symbolic boundary, a serene pause between the vibrant city and the introspective sanctuary within. Light is a central protagonist in the design of Phe La. Subtle LED lighting enhances the natural textures of the walls and furnishings, creating a poetic contrast of brightness and shadow, of nature and craft.
Design Team - 6717 Studio stands as a distinguished multidisciplinary practice located in Ho Chi Minh City, specializing in architectural design, interior design, and civil construction since its establishment in the early 2010s. Under the leadership of Principal Architect Le Viet Hoi, the firm has cultivated a distinctive design philosophy that seamlessly integrates Vietnamese vernacular traditions with contemporary architectural language, creating spatially sophisticated and culturally resonant built environments.
The studio's design excellence has been consistently recognized through prestigious national and international accolades. Their residential expertise garnered the National Architecture Award 2018 Bronze Award in the single-family house category for Khánh House, while their hospitality design prowess earned the National Architecture Award 2021 Bronze Award in the hotel and resort category for Hoi An Ơi Villa. The firm's innovative approach to retreat architecture was further acknowledged with the KOHLER Bold Design Award 2021 in the tourism-resort category for Trúc Lâm Anh Retreat.
6717 Studio's architectural methodology demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of climatic responsiveness, material authenticity, and spatial continuity. Their projects consistently exhibit masterful light manipulation, thoughtful integration of natural elements, and contextual sensitivity that respects local building traditions while embracing progressive design principles. The practice's portfolio spans residential, hospitality, and commercial typologies, each characterized by meticulous attention to detail, sustainable design strategies, and innovative structural solutions that address Vietnam's unique tropical climate and cultural context.
The practice's design thinking revolves around exploring the balance between tradition and modernity, seeking intersection points of cultural heritage and contemporary innovation from the beginning to the end of projects. Through comprehensive professional services including architectural design, interior design, and civil construction, 6717 Studio is committed to showcasing the profound cultural foundation of Vietnamese architecture and the infinite possibilities of contemporary design through innovative design practices, demonstrating the unique charm and innovative spirit of Vietnamese architecture on the international stage.
