1874 Bari Yihishe by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze in Igishushanyo cy'Imbere y'Inyubako Competition Category.

BuronzeImbere y'Inyubako· 2026

1874 Bari Yihishe

by Cosmo Chuah

Client: Lab Two Design

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze Winner in Imbere y'Inyubako Category

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Colors

The Design

About 1874 Bari Yihishe

1874 ni bari yihishe iri mu nzu y'ubucuruzi imaze imyaka ijana i Penang, muri Maleziya. Umuryango w'uko winjiramo washyizwe inyuma y'imbere y'inyubako yibutsa iduka ry'ibiribwa ryo mu myaka ya 1960, mu gihe imbere hafite isura y'inganda kandi hataritunganijwe cyane. Ibyuma by'ibitangara byongeye gukoreshwa nibyo bigize urufatiro rw'ibanze rwa bari, naho ibintu bya kera byakuwe ku masoko yo mu karere agurisha ibintu byakoreshejwe. Igice kinini cy'ubutaka, igisenge n'inkuta by'umwimerere byagumishijweho. Uduce dutatu tuyobora abashyitsi kuva ku iduka bagera kuri bari hanyuma bakagera ahanywerwa itabi. Imiryango yihishe, uduteramo twazamuwe hamwe n'amatara ashobora guhindurwa bishimangira imyumvire yo gutungurwa.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze

1874 Bari Yihishe ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo by'indashyikirwa birangwa no guhanga, ubwenge n'ubushishozi. Abegukanye Buronze ni ibihangano bifite ubuhanga bwinshi kandi bihanga cyane, bishimangira uburambe, ubwenge n'ubushobozi bw'ababihanze. 1874 Bari Yihishe biteganyijwe ko izaba ikintu cyubahwa, gishimwa kandi gikundwa, gifite ubunyamwuga n'udushya. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Buronze gikoresha uburyo bwiza mu buhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga kandi kirarenze mu gutaha ku tuntu duto. 1874 Bari Yihishe ishimisha ibyo dukeneye, ikora ku byifuzo byacu, itwara amarangamutima yacu kandi ikurura amatsiko yacu.

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.