Opus 1874 Taberna Occulta a designatore Cosmo Chuah est victor maxime honoratus praemii praestigiosissimi 2026 Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum in Categoria Certaminis Designatio Interior.

AesInterior· 2026

1874 Taberna Occulta

a Cosmo Chuah

Cliens: Lab Two Design

Victor praemii Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum in Categoria Interior

8,611

Victor Praemii Verificatus

Verifica Statum Praemii pro #173841

Visita Situm Vide apud A' Design Award Communicatum Insigne Praemii

Colores

Designum

De 1874 Taberna Occulta

1874 est taberna potoria occulta intra domum mercatoriam centum annorum in Penang, Malaesia, collocata. Aditus post frontem positus est quae tabernam alimentariam annorum MCMLX in memoriam revocat, dum interior pars industrialis et rudis est. Machinae aedificatoriae redivivae structuram principalem tabernae efficiunt, et res antiquae ex mercatibus rerum usitatarum localibus comparatae sunt. Magna pars pavimenti, laquearis et parietum originalium retenta est. Tres zonae hospites a fronte tabernae ad potorium ac deinde ad locum fumandi ducunt. Ianuae occultae, suggestus elevati et lumina mutabilia sensum admirationis sustinent.

Agnitio

De Praemium A' Design Award Aeneum

1874 Taberna Occulta victor est Praemii A' Design Award Aeneum, honoris multum aestimati formis egregiis, creandi ingenio, sollertia et acumine insignibus dati. Victores Aenei opera perita et mire creandi sunt, quae experientiam, imaginationem et solertiam auctorum suorum confirmant. Exspectatur 1874 Taberna Occulta rem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, notabiliter professionalem et novam fore. Haec forma Aeneo victa optimas consuetudines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae amplectitur et in cura minutiarum excellit. 1874 Taberna Occulta necessitates egregie explet, cupiditates tangit, sensus capit et curiositatem allicit.

Post Designum

Fasciculus Nuntii

Merita, sodales gregis et singula technica a designatore praebita.

Proprietates Singulares: This bar breaks convention by combining a nostalgic 1960s grocery store facade with a rugged, industrial interior made from scaffolding and salvaged items. The stark contrast between old and raw materials evokes surprise and curiosity, while the use of recycled materials promotes sustainability and social conversation.
Dimensiones et Involucrum: 1,995 square feet
Notulae: Hidden bar, Vintage design, Scaffolding architecture, Sustainable interior, 1960s grocery theme, Upcycled materials, Industrial nostalgia, Reclaimed aesthetics, Secret entrance, Retro-futurism
Technologia Productionis: We retained much of the building’s original structure—flooring, ceiling, and walls—while using reclaimed scaffolding for the bar's core framework. Vintage objects were sourced from local secondhand markets. The design evolved through mood boards, full-scale material mockups, and close collaboration with local craftsmen to preserve authenticity and texture.
Provocatio Designandi: We faced the challenge of balancing conservation with innovation. Limitations from heritage regulations and limited budget pushed us to creatively reuse materials like scaffolding and old furnishings. Sourcing suitable vintage items was time-intensive. Achieving contrast while maintaining cohesiveness was a key design tension we resolved through iterative prototyping.
Investigatio: We conducted contextual and ethnographic research to understand local nightlife expectations, user psychology, and historical architecture. Surveys and interviews with patrons and bartenders informed functional layout. The result was a concept that resonates emotionally and functions efficiently, blending storytelling, reuse, and social engagement into a viable business model.
Inspiratio: Inspired by the cultural richness of a century-old shophouse and the owner's desire to create a non-mainstream, buzzworthy bar, we explored the idea of contrast—between nostalgia and industrial rawness. The hidden-bar concept combined with a nostalgic grocery store front evokes a sense of mystery, surprise, and storytelling.
Duratio Operis: The project began in August 2024 in Penang, Malaysia. From initial concept to final construction, the design phase and build were completed efficiently, with the bar officially opening in October 2024.
Cursus Operationis: The bar guides guests through three distinct zones—storefront, bar, and smoking area—creating a journey of visual and spatial transformation. Elevated stages improve visibility, hidden doors enhance the mystery, and repurposed elements create interactive nostalgia. Lighting is customizable for ambiance and performance, enhancing mood and efficiency.