MA.DE BISTRO
An Nam Architecture
ARCHITECTS
An Nam Architecture
LEAD ARCHITECT
AN NAM Architect, Vo Quang
ARCHITECTS
Phan Thanh Nam, Tran Dinh Hung, Le Hong Phong, Nguyen Quang Hau
PHOTOGRAPHS
Trieu Chien
AREA
1000 m²
YEAR
2024
LOCATION
Măng Đen, Vietnam
CATEGORY
Restaurants & Bars
English description provided by the architects.
At MA.DE Bistro, the investor desired the project to be a service complex that, in addition to its business functions, would incorporate regional cultural values and a sense of local identity into its design.
This ambition placed cultural integrity at the heart of the design narrative, emphasizing respect for the land and its heritage.
Nestled in Mang Den, the 1,000-square-meter site is embraced on three sides by untouched pine forest, a setting defined by mist, rain, and a cool highland climate that imbues the place with a serene, almost mystical atmosphere.
MA.DE Bistro draws inspiration from the Rông house - an iconic communal structure rooted in the cultural traditions of Vietnam's Central Highlands.
Rather than replicating the vernacular form, MA.DE Bistro's roof splits into three interlinked peaks at staggered heights, forming a rhythmic composition that evokes the undulating mountain ranges of the highlands.
Beneath this unifying canopy, walls are arranged with a sense of freedom and fluidity, detached from the roof to allow shafts of daylight and natural breezes to permeate through deliberate gaps.
All functional areas are dispersed yet bound together by the overarching roof, creating a cohesive spatial experience.
The main approach cuts through an open-air circular courtyard, establishing a gentle threshold between exterior and interior.
From this point, spaces cascade gradually toward the pine forest, their subtle level changes encouraging intimacy and interaction.
Movement through these layers reveals a carefully choreographed sequence of openness and enclosure, light and shadow - framing nature in curated glimpses rather than exposing it all at once.
Materiality reinforces this dialogue with place. Plastered masonry walls finished in a deep red tone evoke the basalt earth of the region, while concrete ceilings preserve the imprint of pinewood formwork.
Floors articulate spatial hierarchy: terracotta tiles radiate from the central hall, connecting paths employ terrazzo, and secondary areas are clad in irregular natural stone.
These tactile variations invite engagement beyond the visual, activating multiple senses.
The roof structure relies on a primary steel frame, its underside lined with timber for warmth and tactility, while the outer layer is finished in lightweight, neutral-toned bitumen shingles - practical for the region's climate.
Steel components were fabricated in the workshop and then transported to the site for erection, ensuring technical precision and shortening the construction schedule.
Through careful spatial arrangement, material selection, and structural solutions, MA.DE Bistro has successfully created a multi-dimensional experience where cultural identity and local beauty resonate and celebrate each other.
