1874 Ilé Ọtí Fífarasin by Cosmo Chuah is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Àyà Inú Ilé àti Ibi Àfihàn Competition Category.
IdẹInú Ilé· 2026
1874 Ilé Ọtí Fífarasin
by Cosmo Chuah
Client: Lab Two Design
Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award Winner in Inú Ilé Category
Verified Award Winner
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About 1874 Ilé Ọtí Fífarasin
1874 jẹ́ ilé ọtí fífarasin tí a gbé kalẹ̀ nínú ilé ìtajà kan tí ó ti pé ọgọ́rùn-ún ọdún ní Penang, Malaysia. A gbé ẹnu-ọ̀nà rẹ̀ sí ẹ̀yìn ojú ilé kan tí ó rán ni létí ilé ìtajà oúnjẹ ti àwọn ọdún 1960, nígbà tí inú rẹ̀ jẹ́ ti ìṣe ilé-iṣẹ́ àti aláìṣe-lọ́ṣọ̀ọ́. Àwọn igi àkànṣe tí a tún lò ni ó jẹ́ egungun pàtàkì fún ilé ọtí náà, a sì rí àwọn ohun èlò ìgbà àtijọ́ láti àwọn ọjà ohun àlòkù ti agbègbè. A pa púpọ̀ nínú ilẹ̀, àjà àti ògiri ìpilẹ̀ṣẹ̀ mọ́. Àwọn agbègbè mẹ́ta ni ó ń darí àwọn àlejò láti iwájú ilé ìtajà lọ sí ilé ọtí àti lẹ́yìn náà sí ibi tí a ti ń mu sìgá. Àwọn ilẹ̀kùn fífarasin, àwọn pèpéle gíga àti ìtànṣán iná tí a lè ṣàtúnṣe ń ṣe àtìlẹ́yìn fún ìmọ̀lára ìyàlẹ́nu.
The Recognition
About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award
1874 Ilé Ọtí Fífarasin jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí gan-an tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó tayọ tí wọ́n yàtọ̀ nípasẹ̀ ìṣẹ̀dá, àrékérekè àti ọgbọ́n inú. Àwọn olùborí Idẹ jẹ́ àwọn ohun èlò tó ní ìjáfáfá gan-an tí wọ́n sì ní ìṣẹ̀dá tó yani lẹ́nu tí wọ́n ń ṣe ẹ̀rí ìrírí gbígbòòrò, ìrònú àti ọgbọ́n àwọn olùṣàwòṣe wọn. A retí pé 1874 Ilé Ọtí Fífarasin yóò jẹ́ ohun tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó jẹ́ ti ọ̀jáfáfá lọ́nà tó ṣe pàtàkì tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ nínú iṣẹ́ ọnà, sáyẹ́ǹsì, àwòṣe àti ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ jọ, ó sì tayọ nítorí àfiyèsí rẹ̀ sí àwọn àlàyé kékeré. 1874 Ilé Ọtí Fífarasin ń tẹ́ àwọn ohun tí a nílò lọ́rùn lọ́nà àgbàyanu, ó ń fọwọ́ kan àwọn ìfẹ́ inú, ó ń gbà ọkàn ó sì ń fa ìfẹ́ láti mọ̀ mọ́ra.
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.
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