In a city where social media moments shape consumer habits, Photo Booth Mothaiba on Lê Văn Sỹ emerges as a curated destination for playful self-expression and memorable imagery. Ken Design transformed a structurally sound yet irregularly shaped building into a layered experiential space that balances aesthetic consistency with functional flexibility, offering four distinct themed studios and supportive amenities across three floors. This project explores how careful layout decisions, material choices and lighting strategies combine to turn spatial constraints into Instagrammable opportunities while reinforcing a cohesive brand identity.
The Initial Site Condition
The project began with a challenging existing condition: a narrow and limited frontage located on Lê Văn Sỹ Street, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s busiest commercial routes. The site was compact in size, with little depth and width to work with, which often causes limitations in design flexibility.
However, Ken Design viewed these constraints as opportunities to create a concentrated concept, where every square meter serves a clear function. The client wanted the space to not only operate as a photo booth business but also become a recognizable spot in the neighborhood. This meant that both exterior visibility and interior flexibility had to be carefully balanced from the start.
Design Concept and Style
The chosen direction for Photo Booth Mothaiba was industrial minimalism infused with a playful youthful spirit. The industrial base is expressed through raw finishes, simple geometric forms and structural honesty, while the youthful touch is brought by vibrant lighting, functional furniture and flexible layouts. Ken Design aimed to avoid creating a heavy or overly rugged industrial look, instead translating it into something light, modern and approachable.
The result is a space that feels urban and trendy yet welcoming for the young audience that photo booths naturally attract. This stylistic balance ensured that the project stood out in both aesthetics and branding.
The Facade and First Impression
The facade of the booth plays a critical role in drawing attention from the crowded Lê Văn Sỹ street. With limited width, Ken Design chose to highlight simplicity and contrast rather than overwhelming decoration. Clean lines, bold signage and a compact but recognizable entrance were applied to ensure visibility even from afar.
The facade avoids unnecessary ornamentation, instead directing focus to the name “Mothaiba” as a key branding element. By applying raw materials in a neat and refined manner, the exterior establishes a clear personality: industrial, modern and creative. This façade not only attracts walk-in customers but also becomes a familiar backdrop for social media check-ins.
Interior Layout and Space Optimization
Inside, the space had to serve multiple roles within a very small footprint: photo-taking booths, waiting areas and circulation paths. Ken Design carefully divided zones to maintain clarity without making the space feel congested. Booth areas were arranged to optimize privacy while ensuring smooth flow for groups of friends who often visit together.
Waiting areas were minimized but made functional with custom furniture, ensuring that customers remain comfortable even when the place is busy. By using vertical surfaces and mirrors strategically, the team created an illusion of depth, making the narrow space appear larger than it actually is. This spatial optimization reflects Ken Design’s experience in handling small but high-traffic commercial projects.
Materials and Lighting
Material selection was critical in achieving the desired industrial yet youthful character. Raw concrete textures, metal frames and wooden accents were used in balance to create a contemporary but not intimidating atmosphere. Unlike conventional industrial spaces that lean heavily on dark tones, this design introduces light surfaces and reflective finishes to avoid heaviness.
Lighting was treated as both functional and experiential. Adjustable light sources enhance photo-taking quality while neon details inject playfulness into the space. This thoughtful lighting design not only improves the usability of the booths but also makes the entire interior photogenic, encouraging customers to capture moments beyond the booths themselves.
Challenges and Creative Solutions
Every project comes with its own set of challenges, and Photo Booth Mothaiba was no exception. The small site required constant recalibration of layout to avoid crowding, while the narrow façade made visibility an ongoing concern. Moreover, the owner wanted flexibility for future updates, meaning that materials and construction methods had to allow easy modification.
Ken Design addressed these issues by prioritizing modular furniture, minimal fixed structures and strategic zoning. The team also used lighting and mirrors to amplify space perception, overcoming the site’s physical constraints. These solutions not only resolved immediate concerns but also ensured long-term adaptability for the business.
Brand Identity Through Design
For a photo booth business, design is not just about function but also about branding. Customers often associate the look and feel of the space with the quality of their experience. Ken Design integrated branding elements such as the logo, color palette and signage consistently across interior and exterior details. The space was not overfilled with decorations but instead curated to keep attention on the photo-taking experience itself. In this way, the design acts as both a backdrop and an amplifier of the brand identity. The resulting space communicates creativity, youthfulness and reliability—qualities essential for a service-oriented business targeting a young demographic.
Photo Booth Mothaiba Lê Văn Sỹ demonstrates how limitations can lead to creativity when handled with precision. Ken Design transformed a narrow and modest site into a modern, industrial-inspired space full of energy and adaptability. From facade treatment to layout solutions, every design choice was made with both aesthetic and functional intentions. The project proves that even small commercial spaces can leave a strong impression when design is strategically aligned with branding.
The Photo Booth Mothaiba project is more than just a commercial fit-out. It represents how Ken Design approaches challenges with creativity, turning a limited space into a vibrant and functional business. With an industrial yet youthful style, optimized layouts and strong brand integration, the project has become a unique destination on Lê Văn Sỹ Street. This is a testament to how thoughtful design can shape memorable customer experiences and support long-term business success.
