In the Vietnamese capital Ho Chi Minh, architects from Studio Khoa Vu and TAA Design have designed a highly original interior, which they have named Ts Lunar Carven. Their concept, which involves the transformation of a 150sq m two-storey flat, was prepared for a musician and an artist. The architects used the metaphor of a cave as an asylum, a place of safety and reflection, while at the same time referring to the moon as a symbol of changeability, contrasts and emotional depth.
The central and most distinctive elements of the concept are the two vaulted spaces of a completely different nature. Their juxtaposition emphasises the play of light and shadow, the dynamics of openness and intimacy, expression and contemplation. Like the moon, which never appears in the same form, this interior offers diverse moods and experiences for its user.
The bright part of the flat is referred to in the design as the ‘bright side of the moon’. It connects the living room and dining room with a double-height ceiling. The white, sculpted surfaces are filled with natural light that softly highlights the textures and opens the space to the city skyline. It is a zone conducive to meeting and a sense of community, where the roughness of the walls is given subtle expression by the daylight reflections.
The second interior is the ‘shaded side of the moon’. The small studio, finished in shades of Venetian red, was conceived as a space for concentration and creative work. The dark colour scheme and the raw texture of the walls create an atmosphere of seclusion and privacy, allowing full immersion in the owner’s artistic process.
The two parts of ‘Moon’ are held together by a system of precisely designed cut-outs and openings that penetrate between the vaults. These create layers of light and shadow, introduce depth and frame views of the Saigon River. The resulting niches provide storage spaces, making Ts Lunar Carven’s sculptural interior form both an artistic expression and a fully functional living space.
Design: Studio KHOA VU x TAA Design
Principal architects: Khoa Vu, Thien Nguyễn
Year of construction: 2025
Area: 150 sq m.
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Photography: Chuong Nguyen, Phillip Le
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