Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters

Project Information:
Project Name: Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters – The Opera House
Architects: NU Architecture & Design
Location: Nguyen Sieu, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Built Area: 300 m²
Completion Year: 2023
Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki
Manufacturers: Nora Design Italiano
Lead Architects: Jonathan Ng Cheong Tin, Yumie Le
Structure Engineers: SaigonIC
Lighting Designers: NU Architecture & Design
Landscape Designers: NU Architecture & Design

Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters is a local expert in farm-to-table specialty coffee. Guided by their slogan, 'Keeping Dreams Awake,' they continuously push the boundaries of innovation, elevating Vietnamese coffee craftsmanship on the global stage. The launch of their flagship store in Ho Chi Minh City marks a milestone in their pursuit of minimalist elegance. Rooted in its cultural surroundings, the architecture team drew inspiration from the nearby Saigon Opera House—not only in aesthetics but also in the spirit of live performance. The existing Art Deco-style façade was carefully preserved and painted in neutral tones to harmonize with the Opera House’s palette.

Merging the client’s vision with cultural context, our team envisioned a space that transforms coffee-making into a performance, with baristas as artists showcasing their craft. This vision shaped the spatial layout, with the bar serving as the central stage. At the heart of the design are two key elements: the grounded bar and the signature fly bar, a striking feature of the Bosgaurus brand. Cantilevered from a single structural support anchored by a two-tonne concrete foundation, the fly bar appears to defy gravity. Varying levels encourage dynamic interactions, allowing guests to engage with baristas from different perspectives—some at eye level, others from above.

Transparency, a core philosophy of Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters, is seamlessly integrated into the architecture. The architecture team carefully designed frameless full-height glazing to dissolve boundaries, creating a continuous visual connection between indoor, semi-outdoor, and open-air seating areas. Custom-designed stainless steel loose furniture was chosen for its light and sleek profile, balancing the visual weight of the bar while maintaining an airy and open atmosphere.

Sustainability is a guiding principle in every design decision. The flooring and bar finishes feature environmentally friendly, water-based ecological surfaces from Nora Design Italiano. Thoughtfully designed semi-outdoor and outdoor spaces enhance natural ventilation, reducing reliance on air conditioning while offering diverse seating experiences. A skylight void anchors this passive cooling strategy, acting as a solar chimney that expels heat efficiently and maximizes daylight, minimizing the need for artificial lighting.

The lighting design reinforces the concept of a performance stage. Spotlights accentuate the fly bar, emphasizing its sculptural form, while diffused wall lighting softens the surrounding ambiance, drawing guests into an immersive experience. The 4000K lighting scheme adapts to different times of the day, creating a crisp, refreshing atmosphere during daylight hours and transitioning into a warm, inviting glow in the evening, enhancing the café’s sophisticated night bar ambiance.

More than just a coffee shop, Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters is a gathering space, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for coffee. It stands as a stage for Vietnamese coffee craftsmanship, redefining its place on the global scene. Through a seamless blend of culture, sustainability, and innovation, the space transcends conventional café design, transforming into an architectural statement that amplifies artistry, community, and the essence of coffee itself.