Plants, trees and a pond introduce greenery into this cafe in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, designed by local studio Le House as a relaxing place to escape from the city's busy streets.

An'garden Cafe is located in the recently redeveloped Van Quan urban area, which is part of Hanoi's densely populated Ha Dong district.

The building features a structural framework and angular concrete shell that encloses a large glazed facade facing the street.
The windows are interspersed with steel frames that resemble spreading tree branches. These shapes provide the first hint of the cafe's natural theme, which is intended to soften the otherwise robust and industrial aesthetic of the architecture.

"While a house full of steel frame may sound dry and heavy, the impression of An'garden Cafe comes from impromptu hanging plant pots, conjuring up a vision of a dreamlike hanging garden," Le House explained.
"The design both expresses industrial style and dominates other space design principles of traditional cafe shops that can be found on any Vietnamese streets."

The building is separated from the pavement outside by a low concrete wall. Planters built into the walls create a more welcoming entrance that synchronises with the verdant interior.
Inside the cafe, a pared-back material palette of concrete, wood, black metal and patterned tiles creates a neutral backdrop for the variety of greenery.

The architects said they drew inspiration from the mythical Hangin...