The 02 Coffee & Tea house in Huế City, the former royal capital of Việt Nam, is a combination of feudal and futuristic elements designed by MW Architects. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The 02 Coffee & Tea house in Huế City, the former royal capital of Việt Nam, combines feudal and futuristic elements.

Designed by MW Architects in 2019, the 120-square-metre coffee house is located at 83 Yết Kiêu Street next to the Huế Imperial Citadel. The citadel was home to the Nguyễn Dynasty, Việt Nam’s last royal family (1802-1945) and recognised by UNESCO in 1993 as a world heritage site.

The architects adopted the basic, typical features of the 'Rường house' - a throwback to the feudal era - and went fully modern without losing the former’s authenticity. Large gaps and voids surrounding the two main facades of the building are created by the ratio of solid - hollow architecture between indoor blocks and outside spaces.

The coffee house blends into the surroundings and can be very easily dismantled if needed, and most of its existing materials can be reused for other, new constructions.

The 02 Coffee & Tea house is open from 6:30am to 10pm every day. — VNS