1874 Ụlọ Mmanya Zoro Ezo by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz in Nhazi Ime Ụlọ na Ngosipụta Competition Category.

BronzIme Ụlọ· 2026

1874 Ụlọ Mmanya Zoro Ezo

by Cosmo Chuah

Client: Lab Two Design

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz Winner in Ime Ụlọ Category

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The Design

About 1874 Ụlọ Mmanya Zoro Ezo

1874 bụ ụlọ mmanya zoro ezo nke dị n'ime ụlọ ahịa gbara otu narị afọ na Penang, Malaysia. E debere ọnụ ụzọ mbata ya n'azụ ihu ụlọ na-echetara mmadụ ụlọ ahịa nri nke afọ 1960, ebe ime ụlọ ya bụ ụdị ụlọ ọrụ mmepụta ihe na nke a na-edozighị edozi. Ihe nkwado ụlọ e mechara jiri ọzọ mebere isi usoro nhazi nke ụlọ mmanya ahụ, e sitekwara n'ahịa ihe ndị e ji eme ihe na mpaghara ahụ nweta ihe ochie ndị ahụ. E debere ọtụtụ n'ime ala ụlọ, uko ụlọ na mgbidi mbụ ya. Mpaghara atọ na-edu ndị ọbịa site n'ihu ụlọ ahịa ruo n'ụlọ mmanya ma mesịa ruo n'ebe a na-ese anwụrụ. Ọnụ ụzọ zoro ezo, ebe e wuliri elu na ọkụ a na-agbanwe agbanwe na-akwado mmetụta nke iju anya.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz

1874 Ụlọ Mmanya Zoro Ezo meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị pụtara ìhè nke a ma ama maka nzụlite ihe, ọgụgụ isi na nghọta. Ndị meriri na Bronz bụ ihe e mere nke ndị nwere nka nke ukwuu ma dị mma n'imepụta nke na-egosi ahụmahụ buru ibu, echiche na ọgụgụ isi nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na 1874 Ụlọ Mmanya Zoro Ezo ga-abụ ihe a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz na-agụnye ụzọ kacha mma n'ime nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ, ma dị mma nke ukwuu maka nlebara anya ya n'obere ihe. 1874 Ụlọ Mmanya Zoro Ezo na-emezu mkpa nke ọma, na-emetụ ọchịchọ aka, na-adọrọ mmetụta obi ma na-adọta ọchịchọ ịmara.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: 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.
Dimensions & Packaging: 1,995 square feet
Tags: Hidden bar, Vintage design, Scaffolding architecture, Sustainable interior, 1960s grocery theme, Upcycled materials, Industrial nostalgia, Reclaimed aesthetics, Secret entrance, Retro-futurism
Production Technology: 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.
Design Challenge: 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.
Research: 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.
Inspiration: 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.
Project Duration: 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.
Operation Flow: 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.