2025 | Professional

MUSE Design Awards Gold Winner

The Bar Tannin

Entrant Company

DongYan

Category

Interior Design - Restaurants & Bars

Client's Name

Country / Region

Taiwan

The Bar Tannin, housed within a century-old building, fuses Oriental aesthetics with nostalgic appeal, embodying a space where history and modernity coexist. Inspired by the owner’s passion for antiques and his desire to preserve the building’s legacy, the design integrates a Qing Dynasty medicine cabinet as the bar’s focal point. This historically rich artifact was carefully dismantled, repositioned, and repurposed to enhance the bar's central function, creating a bridge between the past and present. The design uses ambient lighting and a carefully chosen material palette to amplify this unique atmosphere. The bar’s entrance handle, fashioned from a traditional water-carrying yoke, connects patrons tangibly to Taiwan’s cultural roots, setting a nostalgic tone that flows seamlessly into the bar’s contemporary elegance.
Preserving the building’s structural integrity posed significant challenges, especially in accommodating modern utilities like refrigeration and plumbing without disrupting original walls and floors. Concealed systems were innovatively embedded within the floor's height variations, enabling a functional, discreet setup that aligns with the space’s historical value.
This distinctive design allows patrons to experience an ambiance that is as much a tribute to heritage as it is a nod to modern sophistication. The lighting scheme enhances this immersive experience, casting layered shadows that evoke a sense of intimacy and drama, perfect for a cozy and memorable night out.

Credits

Cam Chou
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