Project: ĐEN ĐÁ LÊ VĂN SỸ Area: 197,5m2Location: Ho Chi Minh, Viet NamWork: Concept Design

—Located beside the railway line that cuts through the area, Đen Đá Lê Văn Sỹ takes shape from the everyday rhythm of movement surrounding it. Ksoul chose to engage directly with this distinctive context, transforming it into a cohesive design concept that reimagines a “train station” in the heart of Saigon. The spirit of urban rail journeys is distilled through a contemporary language - restrained, modern, and layered with depth. Beyond visual impact, the design is grounded in functionality, where aesthetics and user experience move in parallel.

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Defined by a modernist approach, the facade features bold volumes and clean lines, establishing a clear and consistent architectural expression. Stepping through the multi-paneled wooden doors - reminiscent of train carriage windows - the grey granite flooring extends inward, evoking the setting of a station prior to departure. Softly rounded edges and restrained detailing appear throughout the space, especially around the window frames. Lighting is intentionally composed, washing over a neutral palette of beige and grey, reflecting warmly on orange-brown wood surfaces and settling on signature green branding accents. Together, these tones interweave and support one another, creating a balanced and composed atmosphere.

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On the first floor, the layout unfolds in a sequence reminiscent of connected train compartments. Long benches run parallel to the main axis, establishing a steady, directional rhythm. Stainless steel framing introduces clarity and structure, while seating areas are divided just enough to ensure privacy without disrupting the overall continuity.

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At the heart of the space, a small stopover takes shape through a curated display of books, newspapers, and maps introducing both the brand and Saigon - allowing for a quiet pause within the continuous movement.

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The green ombre wall begins at the first-floor balcony as a visual cue of movement, becoming more pronounced on the second floor and creating a seamless connection between levels. This gentle gradient not only adds a refined visual accent but also evokes the sensation of shifting scenery beyond a train window as the journey progresses. Convex mirrors and clocks appear as symbolic references to direction and time, reinforcing the impression of motion within a space that otherwise feels composed and still.

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Across its three levels - each representing a distinct phase of movement - Đen Đá Lê Văn Sỹ becomes a reinterpreted “train station” shaped through Ksoul’s design language. Here, movement is not expressed through the sound of steel wheels, but through tones, materials, and the rhythm of the interior. The journey may not run on rails, yet it continues through the experience of coffee and conversation - echoing the ever-evolving pulse of Saigon itself.—

Photo: Phú ĐàoLead Architect/ Creative Director: Huỳnh Thế NguyễnInterior Designer: Gia Bảo HoàngDraftsman: Sĩ TrầnProject Manager: Liz Trần____

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