1874 Bara e Patiloeng by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Sebaka sa Ka Hare le Dipontsho Competition Category.

BoronseKa Hare· 2026

1874 Bara e Patiloeng

by Cosmo Chuah

Client: Lab Two Design

Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award Winner in Ka Hare Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About 1874 Bara e Patiloeng

1874 ke bara e patiloeng e kahare ho ntlo ea lebenkele ea lilemo tse lekholo e Penang, Malaysia. Monyako o behiloe ka morao ho sefahleho se hopotsang lebenkele la lijo la lilemo tsa bo-1960, athe kahare ho eona ho na le sebopeho sa indasteri se sa fetoloang. Li-scaffolding tse sebelisitsoeng hape li etsa moralo oa mantlha oa bara, 'me lintho tsa khale li ile tsa fumanoa 'marakeng ea lehae ea lintho tse sebelisitsoeng. Boholo ba fatše ba pele, siling le marako li ile tsa bolokoa. Libaka tse tharo li isa baeti ho tloha ka pele ho lebenkele ho ea bareng ebe ho ea sebakeng sa ho tsuba. Mamati a patiloeng, liforo tse phahamisitsoeng le mabone a ka fetoloang li tšehetsa maikutlo a ho makatsoa.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award

1874 Bara e Patiloeng ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e ikhethang e tsejoang ka boqapi, bohlale ba ho qapa le bohlale. Bahapi ba Boronse ke lintho tse nang le bokhoni ka ho felletseng le boqapi bo hlollang tse tiisang boiphihlelo bo bongata, mohopolo le bokhoni ba ho iphumana ba baqapi ba tsona. 1874 Bara e Patiloeng e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa bonong, mahlaleng, moralong le theknolojing mme o hlahella ka ho tsepamisa maikutlo lintlheng tse nyenyane. 1874 Bara e Patiloeng e kutloisisa litlhoko hantle, e ama litakatso, e hapa maikutlo mme e tsosa takatso ea ho tseba.

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.