Dom-Ino Hub: Transforming a Riverfront Villa into a Vibrant Community Space

Nestled along the fertile banks of the Saigon River, Dom-Ino Hub by Atelier tho.A is a striking renovation project that reimagines a neoclassical villa into a vibrant, multifunctional riverfront hub. Once part of a continuous wall that segregated the local community from the river, this historic villa has been entirely re-envisioned to reconnect architecture, nature, and people in an open, porous spatial experience.

Completed in 2025, the 620 m² project harmoniously integrates renovation design, café interiors, and co-working spaces, blending modern architectural interventions with the villa's historic character. The project stems from a collaborative empathy between client and architect, resulting in the removal of thick walls and partitions. This transformation turns an enclosed, isolated residence into a luminous, breezy environment where everyday activities unfold seamlessly amid greenery and sunlight.

The design of Dom-Ino Hub is organized around three principal elements: open floor plates, a lightweight structural frame, and sloped verandas, reflecting a localized reinterpretation of Le Corbusier's Dom-Ino system. At the corner facing the river, the roof gently curves in homage to traditional Vietnamese communal houses, softened further with rattan cladding that provides a tactile contrast to the steel frame. A bold, vivid blue spiral staircase acts as a sculptural focal point, guiding visitors through layered zones that include a café, exhibition space, and flexible co-working areas.

The project’s approach to landscape and environment is equally considered. Existing vegetation is preserved and enhanced, weaving beneath the eaves to create shaded pockets that moderate sunlight while enriching the spatial rhythm. Through this sensitive integration of architecture and nature, Dom-Ino Hub retells a previously interrupted story: a renewed connection not only between people and the river but also between the built environment and its natural context.

Photographers Anh Chương and Banh Shimano capture the project’s nuanced interplay of light, materials, and spatial dynamics, showcasing the transformation from a secluded villa into an inviting riverfront hub for the community.

All photographs are works of Anh Chương, Banh shimano