De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space

De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio

DE LA SÓL WORK AND EXHIBITION SPACE

The Lab Saigon

ARCHITECTS
The Lab Saigon

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Hung Le, Tram Dang

MANUFACTURERS
B+ Furniture, District Eight Design, Zero Furniture

SPATIAL DESIGNERS
Hiep Tran

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
Phuong Anh Nguyen

ACCOUNT MANAGER
Anh Nguyen

DOCUMENTATION TEAM
Xuan Phan

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Tuan Le

CONTRACTOR
Db Plus Creative Interior

PHOTOGRAPHS
Chimnon Studio

AREA
1500 M²

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Vietnam

TYPE
Mixed Use Architecture, Cultural Architecture, Cowork Interiors

De La Sól / Shadow is a mixed-concept space in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio

A fluid intersection of exhibition halls, cafe lounge, retail displays, and client experience center of Sun Life Insurance (also the primary investor).

The Lab drew inspiration from the idea of growth — both a reference to Sun Life’s brand promise and the flourishing Ho Chi Minh City — to design different volumes in the space.

De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio

The design layers new elements in view of the old.

The historical villa facade stands untouched, in contrast to a new 2-story structure of steel and glass, with both structures connected by an expressive loop staircase.

Bespoke rotating kinetic sculptures dot the outdoors, acting as a shading solution and a landmark — and a visual metaphor for growth.

De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio

A captivating discovery during the design process was the old villa's structure itself.

After removing multiple paint-plaster layers outside, arch gates from the past, various brick types used in each renovation, and the building's century-old history, were all revealed.

De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio

The building's history is etched into every brick, a testament to the city's cultural heritage.

Material selection is informed by the villa. Keeping the original brickwork and wooden beams, the designers chose stainless steel for visual contrast and durability throughout Vietnam’s rainy season.

De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio

The outdoor deck, framed by the loop staircase, provides a focal point for gatherings, providing a multi-use lobby for the various programs at De La Sol.

The staircase, in turn, becomes a viewing deck for the different activities happening below and around it.

De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio


De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
© Chimnon Studio


De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
Plan - 1st Floor
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
Plan - Ground Floor


De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
Concept Diagram
De La Sól Work and Exhibition Space
Concept Diagram