1874 Pakasqa Bar by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Burunsi Premiu in Ukupi Kamay Competition Category.

BurunsiUkupi· 2026

1874 Pakasqa Bar

by Cosmo Chuah

Client: Lab Two Design

A' Design Award Burunsi Premiu Winner in Ukupi 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 Pakasqa Bar

1874 nisqaqa huk pakasqa bar, Penang, Malaysia llaqtapi, pachak watayuq shophouse wasi ukhupi churasqa. Yaykuna punkuqa huk 1960 watakuna mikhuna qhatu hina rikch'akuq ñawpaq uya qhipapi churasqa kachkan, wasi ukhutaq industrial hinaspa chuya mana llimp'isqa kachkan. Musuqmanta hap'isqa scaffolding nisqa sayaykuna barpa hatun tullunta ruwan, ñawpa kaqkunataq chay llaqtapi iskay kaq makimanta rantina qhatukunamanta apamusqa karqan. Ñawpaq pampa, hanaq pacha hinaspa pirqakunapas achkhanpi hina saqisqa karqan. Kimsa t'aqakuna watukuqkunata qhatu ñawpaqmanta barman chaymantataq pitana kuchuman pusanku. Pakasqa punkukuna, hoqarisqa patakuna hinaspa tikrakuq k'anchaykuna chay mancharikuy hina musyayta yanapanku.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Burunsi Premiu

1874 Pakasqa Bar A' Design Award Burunsi Premiu mishak kan, jatun yupaychay, kayta mana shuk shina, mushuk yuyaypi, yuyaypi shinallatak chaskik kaypi riksishka diseñukunaman kun. Burunsi mishak kashkakunaka ruray ushayta charik shinallatak mancharina mushuk rurashkakunami, paykunata rurakkunapak achka yachayta, yuyayta shinallatak ruray ushayta rikuchinku. 1874 Pakasqa Bar sinchi yupaychashka, kuyashka shinallatak riksishka shuk ruray kanata munanku, ruray yuyaywan shinallatak mushuk yuyaywan. Kay Burunsi Premiu japishka diseñuka arti, siensia, diseñu shinallatak tekinolojíapi ashtawan alli ruraykunata tantachin shinallatak ima ukumanta rikuypi sumak kan. 1874 Pakasqa Bar mañaykunata alli paktachin, munaykunata llankan, shunkuta kuyachin shinallatak yachayta munayta kallarichin.

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.