1874 Bar Miafina by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Varahina in Famolavolana Habaka Anatiny ary Fampisehoana Competition Category.

VarahinaAnatiny· 2026

1874 Bar Miafina

by Cosmo Chuah

Client: Lab Two Design

A' Design Award Varahina Winner in Anatiny Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #173841

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About 1874 Bar Miafina

Ny 1874 dia bar miafina ao anatin'ny trano fivarotana efa zato taona ao Penang, Malaisia. Ny fidirana dia apetraka ao ambadiky ny endrika ivelany izay mampahatsiahy fivarotana entana tamin'ny taona 1960, raha toa ka indostrialy sy tsotra kosa ny atiny. Ny scaffolding averina ampiasaina no mandrafitra ny rafitra fototry ny bar, ary ny zavatra taloha dia nalaina avy amin'ny tsena fivarotana entana efa nampiasaina eo an-toerana. Notazonina ny ankamaroan'ny gorodona, valindrihana ary rindrina tany am-boalohany. Faritra telo no mitarika ny vahiny avy eo amin'ny fivarotana mankany amin'ny bar ary avy eo mankany amin'ny toerana fifohana sigara. Ny varavarana miafina, ny sehatra avo ary ny jiro azo amboarina dia manohana ny fahatsapana fahagagana.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Varahina

Nandresy ny A' Design Award Varahina ny famolavolana 1874 Bar Miafina, fankasitrahana malaza be omena ny famolavolana miavaka izay mampiavaka ny fahaiza-mamorona, ny fahazotoana ary ny fahamaotinan-tsaina. Ny mpandresy Varahina dia zavatra vita tanana mahay dia mahay ary mamorona mivantana izay manamafy ny traikefa be dia be, ny sarintsaina ary ny fahaizan-kafoy an'ny mpamolavola azy. Andrasana ho zavatra ankasitrahana be, ankafizina ary tiana, mahay amin'ny asa sady vaovao ny famolavolana 1874 Bar Miafina. Ity famolavolana nandresy ny A' Design Award Varahina ity dia mitahiry ny fomba fanao tsara indrindra amin'ny zavakanto, ny siansa, ny famolavolana ary ny teknolojia, ary tsara indrindra amin'ny fitandremana ny antsipirihany. Ny famolavolana 1874 Bar Miafina dia mahafa-po ny filana tsara, mikasika ny faniriana, mahasarika ny fihetseham-po ary misarika ny fahalianana.

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.