surrounded by tall trees and greenery, ‘co dam chay’ is a vegetarian restaurant by le house designed to resemble the architecture of champa red brick temples. located in hanoi, vietnam, the project employs red brick as the main material, which is used to form various patterns and forms throughout the space. the main entrance to the restaurant echoes that of a champa temple, complete with a hand-drawn graphic by a local artist.
all images by trieu chien studio
le house has incorporated existing trees into the construction of ‘co dam chay’, including the two tall ones that grow on each side of the main entrance. the front façade of the restaurant incorporates a series of spatial elements, including patterned brickwork surfaces, arches, and geometric cutouts. the centerpiece is the main entrance, which resembles that of a champa temple and has been built according to traditional techniques and meticulous calculation.
inside, the restaurant is characterized by a mysterious atmosphere, with toned down lighting to simulate the environment of a temple. besides natural light, the space is only lit by candles, while the tall trees surrounding it provide enough shadow throughout the day. all earthenware is made by artisans from the ninh thuan province, who have used ancient patterns and reliefs that represent the culture of the champ people.
