This renovation project is located at the back of a typical tube house in a narrow alley of Ho Chi Minh City. Surrounded by a vibrant, multicultural neighborhood with a strong Chinese presence, the design transforms a compact space into a bakery specializing in Italian and Portuguese pastries.

Despite the limited footprint, the project makes full use of its spatial potential through a clear functional layout. The bakery operates as the main program, while circulation paths remain efficient and unobstructed. Adaptive design elements—foldable doors, a movable kitchen island, and a flexible order counter—enable the space to shift between baking, serving, and resting throughout the day.

The front threshold plays multiple roles: closed, it serves as a parking space; open, it becomes an ordering station and informal seating area. The choice of stainless steel for the kitchen reflects durability and hygiene, while neutral finishes and red accents bring visual clarity and align with the bakery’s brand identity.

This small-scale intervention demonstrates how design can turn constraints into opportunities, creating a space that is both functional and expressive in its urban context.