Press Review: MASILGROUND 마실그라운드 – IVOIRE: A Dialogue in Light and Craft

Originally published on MASILGROUND (마실그라운드), a leading Korean architecture and design platform, this feature article explores the IVOIRE pâtisserie project as a subtle conversation between light, local craftsmanship, and sustainable architectural choices.

“조명 갓반 사인은 KOBI 조명 스튜디오 공방에서 직접 제작했다.
…
문을 밀면 페이스트리가 강한 채광과 함께 매우 정밀한 조명으로 강조되어 케이크의 실제 색상이 보인다.”

“The light fixture and sign were handmade at KOBI Lighting Studio’s workshop.
…
When you open the door, the pastries are highlighted with strong natural lighting and very precise artificial lighting, allowing the true colours of the cakes to be seen.”

The piece highlights KOBI Lighting Studio’s contribution to the project, particularly the handcrafted lighting elements that enhance the visual identity of the space and reveal the true colours of the pastries. With terracotta stairs, recycled plastic tiles, and Vietnamese ceramic details, IVOIRE reflects a respectful and creative reuse of materials guided by a slow design approach.

Our Reflection

We are honoured to see our lighting work featured in MASILGROUND 마실그라운드, known for championing thoughtful architecture and cultural dialogue.

The article captures with precision what made the IVOIRE project so meaningful to us. As MASILGROUND writes, light in this space is not just functional, it is an element that reveals the true colours, textures, and emotions of a place. This resonates deeply with our own vision of lighting as a cultural gesture, one that shapes how people feel, perceive, and connect to their environment.

From the soft glow that enhances each cake to the custom fixtures handcrafted in our Saigon studio, every detail was designed to enter into dialogue with the space, with local materials, and with the people who inhabit it.

We are grateful to Doan Studio for their creative trust, and to all the artisans whose work made this project a shared success.

This feature reaffirms our belief in lighting as a bridge between cultures, disciplines, and design.

Title: “IVOIRE: A Sweet Dialogue between Light, Material, and Architecture”
Published by: MASILGROUND (Korea)
Date: November 2021
Link: Read the full article