Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Moa Moa Pasta Club opens in a historic building in Ho Chi Minh City
Moa Moa Pasta Club is located in a historic apartment building in a dense downtown neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Designed by The Lab Saigon, the restaurant occupies a compact interior which connects the existing architectural framework of the building with a contemporary dining environment focused on culinary production and the detail of materials.
The spatial sequence begins at the entrance, where an open pasta workshop replaces the conventional reception area. Located right at the front of the restaurant, the glass workspace allows guests to watch fresh pasta being made. The visible fermentation and dough shaping process creates a direct connection between the kitchen and the dining space, while also introducing the restaurant’s focus on handmade production.
all images by Chuong Pham
Pasta-inspired elements are incorporated into the furniture design
Inside the main dining room, the interior design incorporates references to kitchen materials and preparation techniques. A mosaic floor is a key element of the spatial composition, arranged in a gradient that shifts from deep blue tones to a lighter cream color. The gradual transition of the surface causes the visual effect of flour spread on a work surface during the preparation of pasta.
The design from Studio Lab Saigon also deals with the structural geometry of the existing building. In contrast to the rigid lines of the historic structure, curved forms are introduced through custom furniture and wall shelving. These softer geometries adjust the spatial rhythm of the interior while maintaining the original architectural context.
Additional details refer directly to the pasta preparation. The wooden surfaces incorporate inlaid shapes inspired by varieties of pasta such as ravioli and farfalle, incorporating culinary motifs into the furniture design.
the design connects the existing architecture of the building with a new restaurant layout
Contrasts of materials define the dining environment of the pasta club
A custom lighting system hanging above the dining table draws inspiration from the varied geometries of pasta shapes. The lamps distribute light throughout the interior while interacting with the wooden surfaces of the furniture and the patterned mosaic floor.
At the edge of the space, a balcony with large windows opens onto the pedestrian street below. This zone creates a visual connection between the indoor dining space and the surrounding urban activity, allowing the restaurant to remain visually connected to the movement and atmosphere of the city.
the wooden surfaces have embedded pasta shapes
