Sustainable Interior Design ernative
design with a purpose
Bensley
Kengo Kuma
Illustrated report
Bill Bensley is known for his whimsical, story-telling interior and architecture. He has an incredibly unique and creative way of repurposing discarded furniture and selling it back into the luxury hotel industry. From an observation during a site visit at the Intercontinental DaNang, Vietnam, Bensley uses a lot of hard wood. On the negative side, in a tropical climate it is very labour intensive to maintain wood as it is prone to termite infestation and needs regular care. However, by hiring local wood specialists he is contributing to the local economy, turning the negative into a positive. He has many admirable qualities when he considers the broader impact of his designs.
Being environmentally friendly with his design, he sources locally and uses whatever is available for his projects. According to the interview he had with Indagare, he extraordinarily repurposed junk furniture and filled them in a number one hotel.
Moving away from traditional luxury hotels, he designs his hotels by retelling history of the hotel and educating of the environmental impact to run or build for his clients, employees and guests.
He has given a sense of community towards every project before and after completion. In comparison to Kengo and Ryan, Bensley’s designs feel homely as he personalizes every design piece of the project. He successfully achieved sustainable design for the environment and benefits the local people by providing them jobs.
Ryan Frank
A leading Japanese architect for his sustainable impact designs, Kengo Kuma’s contemporary architecture reflects the traditional method of construction yet showcasing architectural design that complements the modern world of high-rise buildings. His National Stadium project for the Tokyo Olympics was made using wood, arguably contributing towards climate change. However, for every tree cut down, he replants a new one to maintain the forest. He treats the wood, thereby extending the lifespan requiring little maintenance.
Even though sourcing local wood results in a reduced carbon footprint, it can also be more damaging if the trees are not replanted. It is time to source and find alternative solutions to wood, even repurposing wood instead of cutting down trees. The difference between Kuma and Bensley, is Bensley tries where possible to recondition, repurpose, and reduce waste. This method should be adopted by more designers.
As a young product designer, Frank displays exceptional effort to reuse waste products, especially plastics, sustainable materials, and recycled materials for all his phenomenally unique products. His attraction to product wastes became when he started working at an architect firm. Famously known for hangers made of recycled newspaper that aspired him to become an eco-designer. His work is radical in design and can be off putting to some, generally because of the high costs and quirkiness. The repurposing method of his design is similar to Bensley’s and very admirable. In conclusion, future designers should carefully consider how materials are sourced, both in location and purpose. Inspiration should be taken from some of the legendary eco-designers and improved upon for the good of the environment and local economies.
Access routes from MRT, Mia Resort, The Deck and condominium complexes.
competitors Target market
Upmarket Restaurants Luxury Condominium Complex
them vs sustain
Like most restaurants, it is hard to find farm-to-table concept restaurants and certainly harder to spot a sustainable designed restaurant. Despite that, the rising of younger generation Vietnamese are enthusiastic towards environmentalism and would consider to dine in places that has an eco-friendly campaign. SusTain aims to offer farm-to-table dining experience and offers to educate its customer of where and how their food comes from. Not only the dining experience, the restaurant itself is a role model for the brand and would be for other competitors.
The Kitchen by the River | Mia Resort
Similar themed restaurant to The Deck serving Asian fusion dishes.
The interior is delicately designed with Indochine design elements and giving chic ambience to their customers. This formal but casual dining experience are cathered for its guest and outsiders who would like a change of scenery or access to their swimming pools.
SUStAIn is targeting women between the age of 28-45 to dine in their restaurant. Local and expats would be expected to dine in SUStAIN for a formal setting to impress their client or guest.
SUStAIN would also accommodate food tourism for upperclass tourists. Housewives could dine here with their friends and professionals with income of $30,000+ per annum.
The Deck Saigon
The Deck has the luxury of being one of the few riverside restaurants in the city. Its location is the main selling point. The Desk is very popular amongst expats and wealthy locals. The interior is minimally done as it is an alfresco concept dining. The courtyard of an early 1900s colonial riverhouse with modern accessories. Decked in coastal theme throughout the interior with wooden furniture. The menu would not compete with SusTain restaurant as they are not sustainably operated restaurant. The Deck have to import most of their ingredients because their menu is an Asian twist to a European cuisine.
Customers that is active on social media to post food and beverages served in SUStAIN but is engaging in conversation with their clients or guests.
The customer that is into vegetarianism to save the planet.
Enjoys interactive dining experience.
SUStAIN is targeting at customers that would prefer formal setting and enjoys exploring new cusisines. The customers also enjoy shopping for organic produce in a upmarket supermarket that caters for upperclass population. The customers would avoid crowd and prefers calm ambience with gentle background music. Customers are also keen being part of sustainable campaign & fair trade farming. Their interest would be eating healthy food, keeping fit and traveling to sample the country’s fine cuisine.
Branding Research
In order to create a successful branding, it is appropriate to find out similar businesses that shares the same ethos; eco-friendly establishment. Green Around The Corner and Saigon Suds is 3.6km away from potential SusTain Fine Dining Restaurant.
Green Around The Corner is a concept store that revolves itself around supporting local businesses with sustainable philosophy. The logo is the company name itself and it portrays the innocence of a child's handwriting. The font used projects casual and carefree setting. Coloured in green to represent the green earth. Its goal toward greener city by providing eco-friendly products. The store also works with local communities to uplift them from poverty and providing a sustainable economic for the poor. The meaning behind the brand is a store tuck in a corner in the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh. The brand name is too long to communicate with its customer, therefore, would not make it a memorable brand. According to Lexology, scientist studies shows that average person can only remember up to seven number at a time.
Fortunately, SusTain is a 2 syllables and 7 letters brand which will make it easier to communicate with its potential customers. The font choice would not be as casual as Green Around The Corner as it is a fine dining restaurant that should exude elegance and make a lasting impression.
First impression of Saigon Suds, it represents elegance and fanciful. Saigon Suds is an artisanal bath and body products, mainly targetting female customers. The choice of font represent elegance and creativity which aligns with the company mission. The logo in script cursive with modern undertype shows the product that they are providing, a modern take on soap and providing alternative solution to chemical-filled bath and body products from the counter. Saigon Suds has provided a logo of Ho Chi Minh's landmark which is clever to navigate their customers and coloured black font against the white background emerge as simplicity of the brand or products they produce.
This brand has successfuly branded itself with 3 syllables brand and a simple landmark logo which will create a lasting impression. Saigon Suds only provide its customer with natural ingredients sourced locally handmade soap, the company also supports zero-waste production and provided their customers with eco-friendly packaging.
Inspired by this brand, SusTain could produce an impactful logo that represents their mission.
Branding development
inspirations
Classic logo for farm to table, a fork with plants. Adorable and represents casual dining.
Logo with vegetable to represent farmed vegetables and represents carefree artisanal cuisine.
vietnamese fine dining farm to table local farmers & producers
impactful and lasting impression logo
Bold and simple logo. Naming as the brand. Quite popular and create a lasting impression for its minimalistic elements.
bold, minimalist and sensorial interior
brass represents elegance.
Logo works for both genders
logo
bold font, in brass colour to complement the interior
susta n sustain
susTain
font: Logo plexi. Monochrome, bold, honest and direct. Too plain, need an icon to represent Vietnam.
Bold font with vietnamese rice paddy field icon. Represents Vietnam iconic landscape but not impactful as it is hiding in the "A".
Line art vector of Vietnamese woman in traditional costume with bold font. Impactful, easy to read and prominent logo. Customers would know what the restaurant sells from the brand and icon.
Bold Vietnamese woman icon as an "I" with bold font. Lady wearing traditional Vietnamese costume to create an identity for the brand.
Thin line vector of Vietnamese woman with different cursive font to represent the classiness and flowy ambience of the brand. Line art is trendy, represent modernity of the brand and keeping up with the trend. The font looks too thin and messy.
Graceful Vietnamese woman icon filled the "i" in "sustain" displays elegance and also mean sustainable living starts with "i" as in the customers..
Using bold font represents the restaurant direction towards producing bold dishes using bold method of production. Made in brass to represent earthiness concept from the restaurant. As a fine dining restaurant, customer can expect bold and elegant Vietnamese cuisine served.
Sun analysis
As shown above, the restaurant gets consistent sun exposure all year round enabling efficient home-grown produce from the on-site garden. As the location is in the Northern hemisphere, the building's roof has been positioned facing South-West so it is ideal to have solar panels to generate energy. The positioning of the building benefits from a lack of direct sunshine into the windows thus reducing the interior temperature, however, the interior requires artificial lighting to light the space.
Space planning
The traffic flow for the staff and customers was the main priority throughout the space planning & development process. Keeping in mind to allow 900mm and 1200mm space for walkways between tables. As a fine dining restaurant, exclusive paying customers would not want to be associated with crowded and loud restaurant. Development requires refined layout that accomodates the target market.
Space layout 1
Separating the dining area in 2 formats. One side of the space dedicated for big groups and the other side meant for 2 diners per table that would be quieter.
Bar being the focal point of the restaurant. However, the bar is positioned directly under double height ceiling and will create an echoey restaurant. Could potentially be a noisy restaurant.
Quieter and intimate space by the window for 2 pax diners.
Diners can benefit from afternoon sunshine and a view of the garden where the produce comes from.
Efficient traffic flow for both users but with the bar and bar lounge area being in the centre, it takes too much space. There is insufficient lobby/holding space to welcome customers during busy periods.
Pros:
+ Large bar entertaining area.
Cons:
- Could potentially be a loud restaurant.
- divides the dining into two making it inconvenient for staff.
Solutions:
- Move the position of the bar from central to corner.
- Place the dining area in one space.
Final layout
Developed from space layout 1, brought the dining area in one space making it easier for the staff to serve and wait on.
Bar lounging area is closer to the bar and placed closer to the windows. Bar customers would benefit from the afternoon sun. However, the lounge area is facing the dining guests and would be too awkward for both customers.
Developed from space layout 1, the bar been moved to the corner away from the double height ceiling therefore dampening the noice. However, the afternoon sun coming from this side of the windows will not be benefiting the customers and would be too hot for the staff.
Pros:
+ Convenient for the staff to manage dining area.
+ The bar is being limited to the number of customers therefore reducing the noise generated from one area. It also acts as a holding area before customer waits to be served.
Cons:
- Lounging area looks openly into dining and vice versa.
- No partition to divide various area.
Solutions:
= Lounging area should be closer to the lobby, encourage customer to buy drinks before waiting to be served. Good for restaurant's sales.
= Need a partition to divide area to enhance the exclusive dining experience.
The final layout meets the client brief to enhance the exclusive dining experience as a fine dining restaurant. By having defined seperate areas for the bar and restaurant seating it encourages a relaxing and classy entertaining experience for customers while at the same time creates an efficient workflow for the staff. From the bar, staff have the view of the lobby, bar/waiting lounge and dining area. This is important as this will provide an efficient service to its customers. By establishing the space layout, it can now further develop the concept and furniture design to enhance the overall interior.
Developed from space layout 2, dedicated space has been created for bar customers or customer waiting to be served closer to the lobby.
Dining area kept together in one space but developed from previous layout, the dining area moved to the windows that welcomes the afternoon sun.
Dividing the dining from lobby/bar area by using sofa and customers seated here acts as the division of space.
Segregated the seating arrangements from groups of 5, groups of 4 and 2 pax diners. Efficient traffic for staff serving the bar area and dining area.
Bar area moved closer to the kitchen and washroom for plumbing and electrical services. Tuck away with no bar seating, further enhancing the exclusive restaurant's experience.
Concept style Development
Rattan furniture adds texture into the interior. Mix with black frame and gold tips, it exudes elegance
Often include tropical plants to provide clean indoor air and enhance the overall aesthetics.
Shutter windows shelters from excessive amount of sunlight but allows the breeze to ventilate the interior and provides privacy.
Encaustic tiles or patterned tiles are common in Indochine style.
Summary
Indochine style derives from two cultures, the Europeans and Southeast Asians. The mix of culture started during colonization times. The style is heavily influenced by the French wanting to replicate their home country designs in a tropical climate.
The Indochine style is a clever play of bold colours and patterns that adapts to the Asian climate. Indochine concept interior is classy and keeps the viewer intrigued by the pattern. However, Indochine style usually uses hardwood and with the current environmental issues, it is no longer a sustainable option.
To recreate this refined and interesting interior sustainably, the elements that makes up this style needed to be sourced and produced responsibly.
By importing the style in SUStAIN restaurant, it adds a personality to the interior and create an identity as a Vietnamese fine dining restaurant. Encaustic tiles can be used as part of the interior as they are sustainable. The wood elements of the style could be substituted with sustainable materials. This style could be too overwhelming and would not represent the restaurant's minimalist brand, therefore, could use a minimalist style to blend with Indochine.
Form of the house creates the identity of the house. Singular material but different motions to create curvatures.
All white gives a sense of purity and freshness
Using lighting to create depth and height of the interior. Making every corner intriguing to look at. Using reflective material makes it stands out againsts the raw interior.
Durable and convenient material for furniture and finishes made of concrete shone through the interior, the light grey neutralises other textures.
Summary
The restaurant being driven towards minimalism as it is a way to stop wasteful habits. Kardashian's monastery home is a classic and bold example for minimalism. Using scale, form and textures to amplify the interior to exude character. However, minimalism tends to be dull and the style from Indochine is a refined balance for SUStAIN restaurant. SUStAIN could adopt in-built furniture and singular material like Kardashian's home into the interior. Minimalism allows an interesting dining experience, allowing the food served as a central point and influences the customer to adopt minimalist lifestyle or habit into their lives.
concept development
1To enhance the traffic flow, the final furniture layout has been decided according to its serviceability for the staff and customers. While experimenting with Indochine style, the interior turned out to be too overwhelming with the mixture of colours, textures and patterns. The interior does not seem to represent the branding goal for minimalism. By having a lot of unneccessary decorations, it is contributing towards wasteful culture. The choice of accent lighting is intricate patterned lanterns, however, lanterns naturally do not lasts long and would need replacement every 3 months.
Pros:
2The improvements from the previous development are the colour choices for furniture and overall interior. Keeping to natural palette like browns for the furniture will allow other elements to come alive and together with the overall interior. Inspired by the scale, textures and using minimal materials from Kardashian's monastery-inspired home, the 5 seater seating area has developed to built-in 2 seater overscale sofa made of concrete. Continuing to give the restaurant an identity of a vietnamese restaurant, repurposed wooden bird cage has been crafted instead of lanterns.
+ vibrant interior style
+ various textures and colours
+ instagrammable interior
Cons:
- the interior is similar to competitor's style
- the simplicity of the cuisine served would not stand out as the dining experience
- open dining, entrance and bar lounge area. Too awkward to see people entering the restaurant.
Solutions:
= tone down on colours, materials & textures.
= create a partition between entrance and dining/bar area.
built-in concrete 2 seaters instead of 2 seater fabric armchairs that will disintegrate and will need replacement. The aim for this development is improvising towards less waste culture.
concept development 2
oriental patterned concrete blocks as partition between entrance, bar and dining area.
Collage made of living wall in a frame, cork panels and framed oriental fabrics of different materials.
Fabric will be made of linen, mulberry silk and hemp linen.
Antique french style mirror further adding elegance on the feature wall and it also creates an illusion of a massive space.
Dining table's task light made of repuposed wooden bird cage.
Ceiling made of rattan and bamboo frame. Inkeeping with neater aesthetic for the interior instead of living ceiling and trellis from concept development 1.
Ceiling fan blades made of wicker and recycled fan motors. The blades are handmade by local villagers.
Planters to give privacy to group customers
Developed from concept 1, the interior is refined and approaching minimalistic style. Using colours sparingly to add personality into the space. Instead of having yellow walls like development 1, this interior scheme uses white and multiple textures as a feature wall. Each element is framed to create a beautiful collage. Concrete block partition have been added behind the sofa to give a separate space from the lobby and bar area, however, the pattern of the blocks creates a chaotic interior especially with the feature wall. It seems to have too many featured area. The planters and living wall adds an ecological interior to remove toxins and absorbs the noise of the city.
framing oriental patterned fabric
Cork panel to absorb noise
The ceiling is made of rattan net with bamboo frame. This only serves aesthetic purpose to complete the interior and thereby contributing towards unnecessary design wastes. This concept development also experimented with creative furniture like an overscale swing sofa for the bar. Whilst this creates a fun interior, it takes so much space and would not allow an efficient traffic for the staff to serve. The bar area also experiments using different materials to create borders between spaces, the encaustic tiles are still too overwhelming even though it has plain marble borders. Next development could benefit a calming interior by using intricate patterned encautic tiles sparingly or to define certain areas. A repurposed ceiling fan would be installed to circulate the interior so it would distribute the cold air and uses less energy to cool the massive area further adding the sustainable credentials of SUStAIN restaurant.
Swing sofa for the bar area, giving new lounging area. However, due to floor and ceiling space constraints, it is taking too much space and will risk falling hazard.
Floor bordering the seating area with black marble and encaustic tile to minimise the chaotic patterns and colours from concept development 1.
Gentler encaustic tile pattern for the dining area to give off elegance with black and white tiles that comes with black marble borders too. Rattan and fabric cushion seating for the dining chair.
concept development 3
3
Developing from concept 2, this concept highlights different spaces by using encaustic tiles sparingly and creates a calming interior. Inspired by the minimalist style and the continuity of a single element, the built-in furniture, ceiling and wall finishes will be made of the same material. By doing this, it has allowed other elements to play with colours, textures and patterns creating a balanced interior. Exploring the materials to make the main component of the interior, cob method is outstanding with its sustainable credentials. Being in Vietnam, with plenty of mud in the surrounding area, the materials required are easily accessible further adding to the sustainability of the restaurant. The swing chairs have been substituted with wicker chairs as this product is handmade in Vietnam from local villagers. This development could have been a bit bland had the feature wall not been incorporated into the design interior contributing a 3 dimensional perspective making it an area of focus. The lighting would be commissioned by local sculptor to make bespoke ceramic pendant lighting and the interior will set apart SUStAIN from other competitors.
furniture design development
Cob house interior and Kardashian's minimalist home shares a similarity of using single material. There are no sharp edges, giving an appearance of gentleness and it would be comfortable for the customers. Following cob method of construction, the 2 seater sofa and partition will blend on a curve towards the wall to the ceiling. This is to create the illusion of no edges. Concrete block is beautiful and adds character therefore it has been used sparingly into the cob partition with bamboo in the middle to frame the partition. Creating a partition this way allows to give privacy of the dining customers and creates boundaries.
Fig 1: Concrete blocks as partition and creates an Asian indentity to the interior. However, this will create distracting shadows through the day.
Fig 2: Concrete blocks as part of the cob partition with bamboo frames to add texture. In comparison to previous design, this has complement the minimalistic approach to the interior.
Fig 3: Developing from Fig, blending the sofa to the wall and ceiling creates a continuous illusion. Also giving a gentle look to the interior.
Elevation of the bar waiting lounge
concept development 3
The bar will be using various materials to create personality and elegant finishes
Back of the bar will be sculpted a scenery of Vietnam's mountains. Using uplight to highlight the texture and pattern.
Inspired by nature's shape, bee's honeycomb has been created to create a spotlight area for bartenders. This will give an entertaining dining experience.
The wall art will be decided by the sculptor to tell a story of SUStAIN restaurant. It will be feature wall with uplights and downlights as an accent lighting. Planters space will be dedicated to add plants that will benefit the overall dining experience for the customer by bringing nature into the restaurant.
Sustainable brands
Shipping Containers
As a sustainable start to design and construction, shipping containers is a sturdy material. Repurposing abandoned containers for a structural component, it reduces using wasteful resources and less dust pollution from tradition construction method.
Having the sun all around the top of containers in Asian climate, the interior could turn into an oven. Eventhough it is a sustainable material, professionally designed to insulate the building would be energy efficient further adding its sustainable attributes.
Founded by Leandro Mercelino, a spanish man that was inspired to open handmade ceramic potteries during his pottery lessons with a japanese teacher.
Founded since 1988, using traditional craftmanship in making encaustic tiles. It was once part of Vietnamese culture before ceramic tile manufacturer took over. VTS strive to keep the tradition. Biodegradable material and sustainable method of production.
As a boutique business, Leandro makes an effort by not using plastics and other pollutants whilst producing quality products. He is determine to develop biodegradable packaging.
Ceramics are made by firing crafter & moulded clay in the kiln. Although it is a biodegradable material, its method of producing potteries through firing using fuel would require more effort to make it sustainable.
Diningwares,
Hey Camel
Vietnam Cement Tile
Rattan Chairs, coffee tables & Lamp Shades
Bui Cong Khanh
Commissioning local talent creates a sustainable method of decorating interior. Using his art as part of the interior, creating irregulaties of pattern and texture to evoke customer's dining experience. Keeping them intrigued and touches the surfaces.
On site sculpting and painting using sustainable materials instead of using ready bought paintings that normally have toxins that would pollute the earth.
Vietnam Handicraft
Vietnam handicraft, one the biggest producer and supplier of naturally made products. All materials easily sourced from this country and supporting rural villagers that has been passing on their traditional craftmanship making handicrafts.
Their effort at producing sustainable interior furniture, decoration and supplies.
Easily sourced material as the plant cangrow quickly in tropical climate making it a sustainable resource to produce furniture for interior product. Alternative to timber that is also easily sourced but not sustainably harvested.
Gach kinh Vac - Indo
When light passes through glass block, it creates a glistening and artistic motion of refraction into the building.
Not only it looks great, glass blocks allows natural light into the building without the heat. Great at keeping air tight, cold air in the building would retains in the building therefore improving efficiency of the energy used for this restaurant.
The glass blocks are also part of the architecture of the building for the double height ceiling.
Glass Block Wall
Design proposal
Information:
interior scheme
Most of the furniture and lighting are bespoke handmade local craft items, please refer to specification list for more details.
Walls, ceiling, partition and bar finishes are made of cob and lined with aged brass.
Tube pendant lighting hangs from double height ceiling
Triple recessed spotlight installed in container’s beams.
Mood Board
Project Rationale
Leading restaurant Sustain has finally landed in the tropical climate of Vietnam, the interior will incorporate ecological and sustainable products and materials. Vietnam is one of the fastest growing countries in the world, with high aspirations in becoming recognised as a sustainable force the government developed “Viet-
nam Green Growth Strategy” in 2011(1)
Space planning
The initial idea was to make the bar as a centalised design element of the restaurant, however, due to space constrains, the dining area had to be prioritized.
The interior design style evolved from a bright and colourful interior to a brutalist-inspired design, inspired by Kim Kardashian’s Los Angeles home.
The bar has moved to the rear of the restaurant where it connects with the kitchen, making sense for the serving team and for the overall plumbing. With the restaurant being fine dining, seating at the bar would not make sense, a lounge area has been created to serve as waiting area for customers.
Whilst the government is trying to push a green agenda, the reality across the country is a plastic consuming throw-away culture, with only a handful taking note of the Vietnam green strategy. The country is growing into a manufacturing powerhouse, but the products are predominantly high-tech consumer goods made for export, not sustainable products meant for domestic consumption, these are generally imported.
F&B establishments seem to come and go with the seasons and are fully renovated without any care for recycling or repurposing interior design schemes. The culture of waste is instilled in the general population.
Whilst Vietnam has plenty of natural resources, they are also controversially harvested and impact the environment negatively.
The aim is to design the interior utilizing local natural materials, supporting local businesses and talent that actively commit themselves towards local sustainability, instead of unnecessarily importing eco-friendly products from overseas.
The traffic is well circulated for servers and diners. Partitioning between the dining area and the entrance/waiting lounge areas creates a zoning system, benefitting the business giving privacy to diners closer to entrance area and convenience of managing different areas
Inspired by traditional method of allowing ventilation whilst providing privacy, patterned ventilation concrete blocks are used as part of the partition to add form, texture, and personality. By using ventilation concrete block, it distributes the air and natural light shining through from the double height windows.
IBLE S U S TAINABLE S OLUTION S
In a guidebook that Bensley(2) summarized for future designers towards a sensible sustainable solutions for the businessowners, customers and employees of the establishment. In that book, he stated that by operating locally not only save costs but also offers fresh organic produce for consumers.
The location of Sustain restaurant is ideal because it offers plenty of outside space to grow fruits and vegetables. Outside space are allocated for the garden, this will also cool the building as it serves to shelter from the extreme heat of Vietnam. Not only it is a sensible option for businessowners, but it is also great for the environment by reducing carbon footprint. However, maintaining a garden can be taxing therefore another sustainable solution would be to support local vendors. This is easily achieved because the local market is a walking distance away. The markets also operate religiously by the river in the morning and evening in any weather.
A single step into the restaurant, diner can relish peace and quiet from the traffic chaos of Vietnam. This is possible by efficiently insulates the building thus isolating the noise pollution outside of the restaurant. The idea behind the interior design style was to evoke sensory experiences for customers, furthermore encouraging diners to awake their senses by feeling and seeing different textures from different areas. Being neutrally coloured, customers themselves bring an element of colour to the interior.
This design style successfully demonstrates sustainability is more than just wood. This restaurant is about subtle forms, textures, light, and shadows created by the unorthodox shape of the structure. Even though it is minimal in colour, different intensity of the lighting, from the large windows of glass blocks in the double height ceiling, to the artificial lighting, composes this restaurant as a modern and floaty ambience.
Ceiling pendants from double height ceiling accentuate the height of the building. Glass blocks create a glistening effect in the day and starry shadows at night from all the artificial lighting.
Spanish potter, Leandro set up a studio to sell handmade bespoke ceramics in the heart of Saigon. Materials and employees are locally sourced providing jobs therefore maintaining a sustainable economy. While the materials of ceramic are biodegradable, the production of requires fuel to give it its renowned shine. However, in his interview(3) with Vietceterra, Leandro assured that he minimized negative environmental impact by providing biodegradable packaging and using less plastics or pollutants. Leandro has been chosen as the lighting supplier to produce bespoke pendant and wall lightings for Sustain Restaurant. The irregularities of lamp shades create individuality and adding personal touch for the restaurant.
The motivation was to design the restaurant luxuriously but minimally, which in turn will contribute to less waste in the future if the restaurant needs to relocate or renovate. Keeping to bare materials means they can be reused & repurposed relatively easily. Designing with a purpose not just for present but also for the future is one of the ways to keep designs sustainable.
In comparison to ceramic where it is unsustainable to produce, encaustic tiles are easily sourced and produced in Vietnam as it is part of Vietnam’s design elements. Encaustic tiles are placed on rack to cure after continuously molded by a metal patterned embossed plate. After which it is coloured using natural colorant that fosters beauty and charm from its intricate colourful pattern.
Encaustic tiles were used in Sustain bar lounge and the surface of the bar that soften the bold interior architecture of purposefully being all white. A strip of unpolished copper sheet borders the bar counter, again to encapsulates diners with its mysterious subtle reflectivity. By using different materials, it creates layers of height and depth to the face of the bar.
By using different materials, it creates layers of height and depth to the face of the bar. Inspired by shapes of nature such as the honeycomb, the bar creates a stage for a mixologist to create and perform. At the back of the bar, shelving shaped like a flowing mountain range has been designed to showcase unique bottles with uplights casting shadows.
Further investigation to find organic materials to construct insulation and finishes, cob has been chosen for this metal shipping containers. Sustain restaurant has significantly reduced its carbon footprint as the soil are accessible from the wetlands accessible within surrounding area. Soil as the basic essence of the earth, when broken apart simply returns to its natural form. In article from the nation’s newspaper(4), Vietnam Express stated that Northern part of
Vietnam still has homes made of organic materials still standing strong for 100 years that continuously been baking by the sun. Influenced by this commendable construction method, Sustain restaurant employ the same method for most of its interior wall and ceiling finishes that flows seamlessly to the divider and 2-seater benches. By sanding the rough surfaces, the design aims to create a smooth seamless blend therefore creating a continuity within the interior.
The bar lounge seating area is designed to be cosy, in contrast to the dining area which has been kept more minimalistic for diners to fully appreciate the culinary experiences being showcased by Chef Anton Benet and mixologist at the bar. Dining area pendants beautifully decorated with Gaarland of dried flowers above 5-seater seating area adds femininity to the masculine interior scheme, while indoor plants in its planters creates division between the seating areas.
Instead of having wall decorations such as paintings on canvas or frames, Sustain has commissioned a famous Vietnamese sculptor, Khang, to create a wall sculpture made of cob as the feature wall upon entrance that continues to fill the dining area. The cob wall art will delicately be furnished with textures and creating a focal point. Polished copper was used to create division between wall art and it also allows uplighting to cast gentle shadows on the uninterrupted 3-dimensional art from day to evening.
Cove Lighting will be automatically timed according to solar that changes colour from day to evening, from cool white to warm orange. With a change in colour tone a different setting will be created from day to evening.
The lighting will be arranged at different levels throughout the room creating a modern and floaty effect. Recessed lighting and cove lights are ambient lighting. Bespoke pendant lighting for dining area and spotlights for the bar counter are for task lighting.
The dining table will be made of polished concrete in white with streaks of gold that will be broken intentionally to recreate a traditional method of “Kintsugi” where broken ceramics are repaired with gold powder and resin.
Reclaimed dining chairs to have a French chateau elegance. White distressed rattan chairs will add character and keep to Indochine design elements. The bar lounge area will have rattan lounge chairs accompanied with coffee tables made from a rattan base with unpolished copper sheet as the tabletop.
Wall sconces create accent light to accentuate areas and highlight materials and textures meanwhile floor lamps are used due to ceiling space constraints and by doing this, it creates different height within the space.
To reduce water pollution, Sustain has opted cushions made of polypropylene as it is environmentally materials than other oil byproducts and plastic varieties. According to the detailed research by Tote Bag Factory (5), the material is durable and consume less energy to produce. As a food and beverage business, the tendency of spills would be unavoidable therefore using water resistant material that are commonly used for outdoor cushion,
is an ideal solution for Sustain restaurant as it adds comfort for customers and practicality for the business.
Repurposing old motors from dumped ceiling fan, the interior placed an Indochina-inspired ceiling fan with its blades made from palm leaf shaped rattan that will gently ventilates and circulates cool air around the restaurant. As the building is airtight, maintaining cool air in the restaurant and dissipates hot air will contribute towards energy efficient interior. By adding green plants, it rejuvenates the interior that set a fresh ambience and further highlight the sustainable credentials of Sustain Restaurant.
In conclusion, designers shape the way the spaces will be used while maintaining a functional space at a sensible cost of construction. A lot of construction waste had been generated and designers could encourage their client to repurpose products or source locally instead of importing from overseas. This rationale not only highlights how the interior could be designed sustainably for the environment but also to uplift local vendors and talents that will in turn generates sustainable economy for the country. This interior design has successfully designed using organic materials that returns to the environment and non-organic materials would be recycled and reuse to continue repurposing for next use.
SUStAIN Restaurant @ An Phu, Ho Chi Minh City Alexa Wilson
SUStAIN Restaurant @ An Phu, Ho Chi Minh City
client specifications
https://www.ama zon.co.uk/FrenchChateau-BedroomArmchairMahogany/dp/B0 0OBBPKU4
erest.com/pin/572 238696410420195/
https://hadeda.co. uk/collections/lig hting/products/te rracotta-ceramicpendant-light
https://www.etsy. com/uk/listing/7 34765119/2-stemdried-pampas-35l?item_group_id=P G_734765119&epik =dj0yJnU9djZwdD
https://mestar.vn /flexible-led-strip3528-series-smd3528-60leds-m
http://marquishq o.com/product/fo ntana-arte-10/
https://www.ama zon.com/Accordio n-GeometricCeramic-SconceIndoorLighting/dp/B00B 9KGRJS
http://svlight.vn/ den-led-roi-ray-ledtrack-light/den-ledroi-ray-30w-svr30b-508.html
http://svlight.vn/ den-ledmultiplelight39/den-led-ba-ledmultiple-svf-1101387.html
Garland Pendant Lights w/ bulbs
81 Ba Hat Phuong 9 Quan 10 HCMC, Vietnam CUA HANG TRANG TRI NOI THAT THNH PHAT
No. 236/6 Thong Nhat Street, Ward 10, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City
Pendants w/
https://thepurplet urtles.myshopify.c om/products/tam ra-ceramic-clusterpendant-lamp
https://www.alie xpress.com/item/ 32785006477.html
http://ceilingfan.c om.vn/RoyalPalm.aspx
https://gachkinhv acindo.business.site/ ?utm_source=gmb &utm_medium=re ferral
https://cementtile. vn/en/product/br eeze-cement-blockcts-bg109-1/
client specifications
gmallvn.com/en/ honeycombcushion-cover902800008
PARKINGLOT
STEELWALL
references
References
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references
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Mood Board:
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Image ref: https://grist.org/living/pop-up-starbucks-made-of-shipping-containers/
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