An Miên Lumière Cafe by xưởng xép, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

An Miên Lumière Cafe, designed by xưởng xép in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a distinctive interior project that translates the essence of coffee roasting into a spatial experience. Rooted in the identity of the An Miên coffee brand, the design draws inspiration from the atmosphere of a roasting workshop—where heat, aroma, machinery, and rhythm define the environment—and reinterprets these qualities through materiality, light, and perception.

Situated in the dynamic An Phú urban area, the café does not attempt to replicate an industrial factory literally. Instead, it abstracts industrial characteristics into a contemporary architectural language, focusing on how space is perceived rather than simply constructed. The result is an immersive environment where visitors experience coffee culture through shifting layers of light and texture.

At the core of the design is the expressive use of steel. Galvanized metal surfaces—cold, reflective, and raw—form the primary material palette. These surfaces are used not only structurally but also atmospherically, shaping how light interacts within the space. Rather than enclosing the interior completely, the architects employ layered steel mesh panels that create a semi-transparent ceiling system.

This Roof composition takes advantage of the generous height of the space. Multiple layers of galvanized steel mesh are suspended overhead, forming a porous envelope that allows light to penetrate, scatter, and reflect. Through these layers, glimpses of technical systems and structural elements are revealed, reinforcing the industrial narrative while maintaining visual depth.

Lighting becomes the central design tool. Warm yellow illumination is introduced to counterbalance the inherent coldness of metal. Filtered through polycarbonate panels, the light diffuses softly across the steel surfaces, producing a glowing, almost ethereal atmosphere. As light bounces between reflective planes, it creates overlapping layers of brightness and shadow, constantly shifting as visitors move through the space.

This dynamic interaction between light and material transforms the café into a living environment, where perception changes depending on angle, movement, and time of day. The space is not static; it evolves continuously, offering a new experience with each visit.

Furniture and layout remain understated, allowing the architectural envelope to take precedence. Seating is arranged to support both individual and social use, while maintaining clear sightlines that emphasize the layered ceiling and lighting effects. The simplicity of the furnishings ensures that attention remains focused on the interplay of Light and structure.

The project ultimately explores how industrial aesthetics can be reimagined within a modern urban context. By softening raw materials through light and layering, xưởng xép creates a café that feels both robust and atmospheric—bridging the gap between workshop and social space.

An Miên Lumière Cafe is more than a place to drink coffee; it is an exploration of perception, where architecture, material, and illumination converge to create a sensory experience rooted in the culture of coffee-making.