PAPUWA

PAPUWA redefines the intersection of lighting, narrative, and spatial experience. Drawing inspiration from the whimsical British picture book The Island of Papuwa by Norman Messenger, the bar is imagined as a fantastical island where light becomes both storyteller and performer. The design centers around the idea of “emotional utility,” merging atmospheric aesthetics with practical functionality to create an immersive and engaging nightlife destination.
The core concept lies bamboo—a traditional Sichuan material—transformed through innovative craftsmanship into a contemporary lighting language. Large-diameter bamboo poles (110mm) are thermally bent and perforated to form natural luminaries. The scattered glow from these openings casts dappled shadows reminiscent of the shifting light in Sichuan’s forested courtyards, evoking a poetic memory of the region’s natural rhythms. This reinterpretation of regional craft exemplifies a dialogue between heritage and modernity.
The lighting system utilizes RGBW dynamic color control, operated via a Bluetooth-based mesh system, allowing for real-time scene editing and interaction. Functional lighting is anchored at 2700K warm white to support dining needs, while adaptive ambient lighting—color-changing strips and integrated furniture fixtures—adds layers of mood and surprise, encouraging playful exploration. In the designated smoking zone, custom downward-facing bamboo fixtures with integrated handrails respond directly to user ergonomics, showcasing a user-centric design approach.
Technologically, the lighting system features a hybrid Bluetooth Mesh + PLC (Power Line Communication) infrastructure, enabling individual addressing and zoned control of each luminaire. Through intelligent scene programming, the bar achieves over 40% energy savings, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in nightlife lighting design.
Beyond aesthetics and efficiency, the lighting activates spatial openness and social interaction. The removal of traditional bar boundaries and the integration of light-responsive screens create an open and immersive environment where bartenders and guests engage with ease. Lighting becomes the medium that dissolves hierarchies and enhances spatial fluidity.
Since opening, PAPUWA has become a landmark of Chengdu’s night economy. Its distinct lighting has turned it into a social media sensation and a preferred destination among young urban consumers. By bridging storytelling, local culture, sustainability, and cutting-edge lighting technology, PAPUWA offers a new narrative for emotionally intelligent and culturally resonant nightlife design.