Vietnamese practice Limdim House Studio has designed a minimal and compact showroom that is informed by geometric shapes and greyscale color palette in Hue, Vietnam. 

Named LUPH Store, the 40-square-metre space is designed as a compact showroom that highlights a particular product line, showcasing elegant clothes for women.

To draw attention to the products on display, the studio devised a design concept focusing on two aspects: creating blocks and using light.

The house-like store is drawn on an elongated layout and features a triangular courtyard, allowing natural light to enter in and to reach the corners of the shop. According to the team, this tiny courtyard creates "a sense of openness in a limited area."

On the ground floor, customers are welcomed with entrance and waiting area, then the courtyard, counter, fitting room, display area, stair are added as other elements.

The mezzanine floor is dedicated a working place with one desk and two chairs - one of them is for a guest.

For material approach, the studio used concrete, and tempered glass as the main materials and they defined metallic color as the main color.

"The store's facade is treated with a fancy design that both creates privacy and stimulates the curiosity of passersby," said Limdim House Studio. 

Inside, a triangular courtyard dominates the space and creates a new attracting point for customers. The courtyard also features floor-to-ceiling glazing which creates an interplay of transparency. 

"To optimize the function, we designed the mezzanine floor to help increase the usable area while creating a sense of high visibility," the office added. 

"The large circular doorway on the mezzanine floor has the purpose of creating the necessary air convection while playing the role of visual balance with the straight, blocky elements in the overall design of the store."

In the ceiling area, the designers want to give emphasis on blocks and arrays while maintaining the common design language of the whole building. The design is interwoven with large blocks into each other. 

The studio designs one part the stairs at the beginning in the form of "floating", while some of them are extended to become a reception desk. 

According to the studio, "this helps to erase the boundary between interior details that are next to each other, thereby making the design seamless, and making the space feel more spacious."

In the interior, the designers pay much attention to the use of light. As they noted, in fashion display purposes, light becomes an important criterion. 

"Prominent in the space are the lines that create the main-sub-effects, clarifying the spatial geometry and evoking the feeling of a performance stage," the studio added. 

"In addition, the LED system placed under the floor at the base of the wall helps to emphasize the bends along the perimeter of the building." 

The team also integrated a ceiling light system that draws attention to the heart of the reception hall. On the other hand, the mirror table below creates "a strong impression on customers from the moment they set foot in the store." 

"To clarify the details of the fashion products on display, we arranged the Spotlight and Downlight systems to be used with sufficient intensity," the team added.

As a final touch, the team also inserted some decorative lights at the tables, reception desks, mirrors, aiming to help customers have beautiful photography angles when trying out the store's fashion products. 

The studio added that "we believe that those images, along with the beautiful impression of a space, will stay with them even after they step out of the store."

Ground floor plan

Mezzanine floor plan

Project facts

Project name: LUPH Store

Architects: Limdim House Studio

Location: Hue, Vietnam. 

Size: 40m2

Date: 2021 

All images © Do Sy

All drawings © LUPH Store

> via Limdim House Studio