Under The Trees Café is a garden-style coffee space nestled in the heart of Van Quan, designed as a small oasis amid the bustling city. More than just a place to enjoy coffee, it is a space to slow down, breathe, and feel nature gently flowing through every layer of greenery. Inspired by Tropical aesthetics blended with Rustic Asian charm, Ken Design created an open, light-filled environment where trees and water harmonize effortlessly. Every corner offers a sense of calm and relaxation, the true spirit of “urban retreat.” Let’s explore the unique design of this remarkable café in the article below.
Project Overview: Under The Trees Café
Amidst the dense urban rhythm of Van Quan – Ha Dong, Under The Trees Café emerges as a serene oasis where visitors can slow down, breathe, and reconnect with nature.Covering nearly 3000m², the project was envisioned by Ken Design as a multi-layered garden complex that combines open-air café zones with a flexible event area, all carrying a resort-like spirit and a sense of community connection.
The spatial layout follows a multi-layered, open, and continuous structure:
- The first layer features an outdoor seating area that wraps around the central pond, shaded by lush native trees.
- The middle layer consists of a semi-covered veranda where light and shadow intertwine.
- The innermost layer is the main building enclosed just enough to offer privacy and calm.
Altogether, the café operates like a “green oasis” a sanctuary that invites guests to step away from the concrete city and immerse in a peaceful, nature-infused ambiance reminiscent of a countryside retreat.
Design Concept – Relaxing Amidst Nature
Tropical Meets Rustic Asian Aesthetics
Drawing inspiration from local nature and the unhurried rhythm of Vietnamese life, Ken Design combines Tropical freshness with Rustic Asian warmth.
The Tropical elements bring openness and vitality through greenery, water, and sunlight; while Rustic Asian influences add depth, warmth, and a nostalgic serenity achieving a perfect balance between modernity and familiarity.
Surfaces are treated with terracotta bricks, rough stone, natural wood, and polished concrete, preserving the tactile essence of each material.
Black-painted steel frames and gently sloped roofs lend the building an industrial minimalism, softened by curved verandas and walls, a subtle nod to the comforting shape of traditional Vietnamese homes.
Lighting – The Soul of the Space
Natural Light – The Daily Storyteller
At Under The Trees Café, light isn’t just functional, it tells stories. Ken Design maximizes natural illumination through large glass façades, skylights, and open views toward the pond.
Each moment of the day paints a different scene
- Morning: sunlight filters through tree canopies, scattering golden reflections over the water.
- Noon: tree shadows dance on the stone paths, creating natural patterns of light and shade.
- Afternoon: the warm sunset bathes the brick walls and wooden ceilings in a soft, golden hue.
The space seems to breathe with light, evoking the feeling of being in a tropical resort rather than a busy Hanoi neighborhood.
Artificial Lighting – Nighttime Emotions
When evening arrives, the café transforms entirely. Handcrafted bamboo and rattan lamps, wood pendant lights, and warm recessed lighting create an intimate atmosphere.
Light reflections shimmer on the pond’s surface and steel frames, while glowing softly through the tree leaves a magical visual effect that enhances the café’s “chill” character.
It becomes the perfect venue for acoustic nights, casual talks, or romantic dates, where lighting and sound blend to elevate every emotion.
Color Palette – Earthy, Tropical, and Natural
The chosen palette revolves around brown – beige – gray – green, evoking calm and visual harmony:
- Wood brown brings warmth and emotional grounding.
- Beige and gray balance and expand the visual space.
- Leafy green embodies life and vibrancy the soul of the design.
Accents of terracotta orange or pale yellow from cushions and lamps add subtle liveliness without breaking harmony.
This palette makes Under The Trees Café both elegant and humble, soothing yet profound a reflection of Ken Design’s philosophy: Nature doesn’t need to show off, it only needs to be felt.
Open and Flexible Layout
Outdoor Area – The “Breathing” Heart of the Café
Occupying the majority of the site, the garden and pond form the project’s centerpiece.
Rough stone pathways, rustic wooden benches, and soft lighting invite guests to wander and relax. From any direction, the visual trio of trees – water – light defines the tranquil atmosphere.
The outdoor zone is highly adaptable a casual café by day, and by night, a venue for small events, workshops, or acoustic shows, offering the owner multiple business opportunities.
Indoor Area – Cozy and Intimate
The main building embodies simplicity and warmth. Inside, oak wood, rattan, linen, and polished concrete create a tactile, grounded environment.
Thick wooden tabletops with black steel legs pair harmoniously with rattan chairs and beige linen sofas. Every seating corner opens toward the pond or garden, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside.
Material Harmony – Where Architecture Meets Nature
The entire project is a “symphony of materials”:
- Natural wood: ceilings, walls, and furniture bring warmth and endurance.
- Rough stone and terracotta brick: raw, earthy, and deeply Vietnamese.
- Black steel and tempered glass: modern contrast and visual openness.
- Bamboo, rattan, and coarse fabrics: handcrafted touches that soften the architecture.
This thoughtful material palette not only enhances aesthetics but also ensures durability, easy maintenance, and alignment with today’s eco-architectural trends.
Sound and Emotion – The Rhythm of Calm
One of Ken Design’s signatures is its sensitivity to natural soundscapes.
Without relying on loud background music, the café’s atmosphere is shaped by the sound of flowing water, rustling leaves, and footsteps on stone paths.
This organic rhythm encourages guests to slow down, breathe, and feel in tune with nature a unique sensory experience rarely found in urban cafés.
Under The Trees Café – A Promising Garden Café Model
The rise of green, open, and multifunctional F&B spaces is becoming an inevitable trend.
Under The Trees Café is more than a coffee shop, it’s a destination for culture, art, and community events.
The flexible design allows diverse use:
- By day: a relaxing café for working or reading.
- By night: a chill-out venue for acoustic performances or private gatherings.
- On weekends: a creative hub for workshops, photoshoots, or group activities.
This adaptability not only maximizes business potential but also builds a brand image rooted in emotion and sustainability.
Ken Design – Trusted Experts in Garden Café Architecture
With hundreds of F&B projects worldwide, Ken Design is dedicated to achieving harmony between aesthetics, function, and emotion.
Under The Trees Café exemplifies this design mindset where nature, people, and architecture unite into a seamless whole. Here, the space doesn’t just look beautiful, it lives, breathes, and tells stories. That is the essence of every Ken Design creation: crafting F&B spaces that deliver lasting experiences, emotions, and business value.
Contact Ken Design today at +84 987 413 998 to bring your ideas to life.
