Ts Lunar Cavern Duplex Residence by KHOA VU + TAA DESIGN: A Sculptural Home Inspired by the Moon

An Artistic Duplex Renovation in Ho Chi Minh City

The Ts Lunar Cavern Duplex Residence by KHOA VU and TAA DESIGN reimagines a 150-square-meter apartment in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, transforming it into an immersive living environment for a musician-artist. This residential renovation merges poetic spatial design, sculptural interiors, and symbolic storytelling inspired by the duality of the Moon. Through expressive curves, vaulted volumes, and dramatic light manipulation, the project explores what a home can be when it becomes a sanctuary for introspection, creativity, and emotional resonance.

A Concept Rooted in Cave Form and Lunar Symbolism

The design interprets the emotional and psychological essence of “home” through the abstraction of a cave. This primal image becomes a metaphor for safety, reflection, and personal retreat. At the same time, the architects draw inspiration from lunar cycles, using themes of brightness and shadowness to shape the spatial atmosphere. The result is a home that moves between openness and intimacy, light and darkness, expression and contemplation.

A Duplex Defined by Two Interwoven Vaulted Spaces

The interior is conceived as two sculpted, interlocking vaults, each carrying its own identity. These carved forms define the entire architectural narrative, generating transitions, connection points, and sensory contrasts. Every curve and opening is designed to emphasize the interplay of light, shadow, and texture—echoing the shifting illumination of the Moon’s surface.

The Light Vault: The Bright Side of the Moon

The primary living space forms the Light Vault, a bright, fluted, and expansive environment that stretches from the living room to the double-height dining area. The white, cave-like surfaces catch and diffuse daylight, creating a serene yet dynamic ambience. Natural light becomes the main architectural material here, softening the rough textures and enhancing the sense of openness. Large windows frame panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City, grounding the otherwise abstract interior in its urban context. This vaulted space encourages interaction, relaxation, and visual continuity across the duplex’s lower level.

The Dark Vault: The Shadowed Side of the Moon

In contrast, the studio forms the Dark Vault, a compressed and intimate Venetian-red chamber dedicated to deep creative work. Wrapped in darkness and rich texture, this space heightens focus and introspection. Its carved surfaces absorb light, creating a quiet cocoon-like environment that supports the homeowner’s artistic practice. As the emotional counterpoint to the Light Vault, this zone embodies privacy, depth, and the raw intensity of the creative process.

Carved Connections, Spatial Depth, and Framed Views

Throughout the duplex, strategic cuts and openings connect the two vaulted volumes visually and spatially. These punctures establish layered sightlines, allowing light to filter through in subtle gradients and revealing glimpses between the bright and dark spaces. Selective openings frame views of the Saigon River, turning the landscape into a natural backdrop for the sculptural interior. Functional niches, carved from the walls, offer spaces for art, objects, and personal rituals, transforming the home into a curated environment of discovery.

A Lunar-Inspired Sanctuary for Living and Creating

The Ts Lunar Cavern Duplex Residence stands as a powerful example of narrative-driven residential interior design. Through the merging of cave abstraction, lunar symbolism, and expressive materiality, the home becomes both a personal refuge and an artistic canvas. KHOA VU and TAA DESIGN craft a living environment that balances light and shadow, city views and interior quietness, daily life and creative expression—ultimately shaping a deeply emotional, atmospheric, and immersive residential experience.

All photographs are works of  Chuong Nguyen, Phillip Le