1874 Pa Natia by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Apamemea in Mamanu Totonu Competition Category.

ApamemeaTotonu· 2026

1874 Pa Natia

by Cosmo Chuah

Client: Lab Two Design

A' Design Award Apamemea Winner in Totonu 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 Pa Natia

O le 1874 o se pa natia o loo tu i totonu o se fale faatau ua atoa le selau tausaga le matua i Penang, Malaysia. O le faitotoa ulufale ua tuu i tua o se foliga o le fale e faamanatu ai se faleoloa o le vaitau o le 1960, ae o totonu o le fale e faapisinisi ma le teuteuina. O sikafolo ua toe faaaogaina ua fai ma faavae autu o le pa, ma o mea faaanamua na maua mai maketi faatau oloa tuai i le lotoifale. O le tele o le fola muamua, le faalo ma puipui na taofia. E tolu sone e taitai ai malo mai le pito i luma o le faleoloa i le pa ona sosoo ai lea ma le nofoaga e ulaula ai. O faitotoa natia, tulaga maualuluga ma moli e mafai ona fetuutuunai e lagolagoina ai le lagona o le faateia.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Apamemea

O le A' Design Award Apamemea na manumalo ai 1874 Pa Natia, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu ese e iloga i le fatufatuaʻi, le atamai ma le poto. O ē manumalo i le Apamemea o mea e iai le tomai atoa ma fatufatuaʻi mataʻina e faamaonia ai le poto masani tele, le mafaufau ma le atamai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina 1874 Pa Natia e avea ma mea e vivii tele, ua pelepelea, e iloga i le tomai faapolofesa ma mea fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Apamemea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili i le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi ma e sili ona lelei i le mataituina o mea itiiti. 1874 Pa Natia e faamalieina matagofie manaʻoga, pa i manaʻo, faalataina lagona ma faaosofia le fia iloa.

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.