A 150-square-meter duplex residence in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has been transformed into a striking interior design project that explores the essential concept of home through cave-like architectural elements and lunar symbolism. The project, completed in 2025 by TAA DESIGN and KHOA VU, was specifically crafted for a musician-artist seeking both creative sanctuary and urban perspective.
The design concept draws profound inspiration from two powerful natural symbols: the cave as a protective sanctuary and the Moon as an emblem of duality and emotional depth. This philosophical approach manifests physically through two interconnected vaulted spaces, each embodying distinct spatial and emotional qualities that reflect the shifting interplay between light and shadow, openness and intimacy, reflection and expression.
The architectural transformation centers around what the designers call the "Light Vault" and the "Dark Vault," representing the contrasting sides of lunar symbolism. The Light Vault, conceived as the "Bright Side of the Moon," features a white, fluted space that flows seamlessly from the living room into a double-height dining area. This cave-like volume embraces natural light and fosters openness while providing panoramic views of the bustling city below. The rough, textured surfaces of this space soften beautifully in daylight, creating an atmosphere that is both tranquil and engaging for daily living and social interaction.
In stark contrast, the Dark Vault represents the "Shadowed Side of the Moon" – a compressed studio space enveloped in rich Venetian-red tones and designed specifically for deep creative work. This intimate retreat from the city's constant activity evokes introspection and focus through its enveloping darkness and rugged textures, providing the musician-artist with an ideal environment for concentrated creative pursuits.
The sculptural composition achieves its sophisticated spatial relationships through strategic cuts and punctures that establish both visual and physical connections between the two primary vaulted spaces. These carefully carved openings create layers of light, shadow, and depth while framing selective views toward the Saigon River. From these architectural cuts emerge functional niches that offer unexpected moments of discovery and practical placement throughout the residence.
The design team, led by architects Khoa Vu and Thien Nguyen, collaborated with designers Nhu Do and Vu Nguyen to realize this ambitious interior transformation. The project incorporates products from several notable manufacturers, including District Eight, Dulux, and Poli Lighting, ensuring both aesthetic coherence and functional reliability throughout the space.
Photography by Chuong Nguyen and Phillip Le captures the dramatic interplay of light and shadow that defines the residence's character. The images reveal how the cave-like volumes create an almost mystical quality within the urban dwelling, demonstrating how the lunar inspiration translates into lived experience for the inhabitant.
This renovation project represents a significant achievement in residential interior design, demonstrating how abstract concepts like lunar symbolism and cave-like protection can be translated into functional living spaces. The design successfully addresses the specific needs of a creative professional while creating an environment that serves as both sanctuary and inspiration.
The project's completion in 2025 marks another notable addition to Vietnam's growing reputation for innovative residential design. By combining traditional concepts of shelter and protection with contemporary urban living needs, the designers have created a space that transcends typical residential categories to become something approaching architectural poetry.
The success of this transformation lies not only in its visual impact but in its ability to create distinct environments for different aspects of the resident's life – from social interaction in the light-filled spaces to solitary creative work in the intimate studio areas. This duality reflects the complex needs of modern urban living while honoring the deeper human need for both community and solitude.
