Industrial Elegance at OAK Whisky Bar

This new Hangzhou bar was designed by Hong Kong firm M.R. Studio as an elegant and dramatic homage to the art of whisky making

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Myron Kwan: The client is from Hangzhou, and we met when he was studying music in Hong Kong. He’s passionate about fashion and lifestyle and has a deep understanding of wine and whisky. He returned to Hangzhou from Hong Kong 10 years ago and started his own catering business. OAK is his latest project, and it emphasises the whiskey distillation process to promote whisky and a drinking culture of ‘drink less but drink better’.

What’s unique about the building and the location?

OAK is in Wulin, the commercial district of downtown Hangzhou, and is surrounded by a number of large-scale complexes, including the Hangzhou Tower and Hangzhou Kerry Centre. The facade is both prominent and mysterious, and draws people in to an intimate drinking experience.

What was the project brief?

This shop is about 180 square metres and is divided into two levels. The client wanted a semi-open kitchen on the ground floor, where there’s a takeaway counter and guests can have a drink while waiting for their meal. The upper floor needed to have a VIP dining room, a stage for live music, a long bar counter and bar tables at various heights. In addition to this, there needed to be a semi-open VIP room where guests can be introduced to the special collection of whiskey. The materials were to be kept as simple as possible and the entire design needed to be rich, comfortable and warm.

How did you approach the project and what design references or narrative did you try to incorporate?

OAK is designed as an homage to the art of whisky making. As reflected in the name, the design narrative is derived from raw and textured materials, and aims to evoke a sense of industry and celebrate a rustic, authentic experience. The VIP room and bar were inspired by whisky distilleries, while the bronze mesh cabinets in the semi-open VIP room and piping on the facade and in some areas are further industrial touches.

Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.

As the Feng Shui master suggested that the space should feature plenty of wood, we mainly used scratched timber to create a refined rawness. Fabric-upholstered walls soften the space, while the leather-upholstered seating is comfortable and intended to make guests want to stay longer. The citrus colour adds warmth to the overall space.

What custom pieces were designed for the space?

The wooden barrel ceiling accentuates the design motifs and enriches the depth of space. Another focal point is the curated feature wall in the semi-private room; through a simple yet elegant approach, an interplay of forms, light and lines emits a soft ambience that distinguishes this area from the others.

How long did the interior fit-out process take?

The design process began in May 2019 and we completed the project in December 2019.

Are there any other details about the project you want to share? 

The main challenge in this project was that we needed to maintain the original architectural silhouette of the facade and incorporate a new design that reflects mystery and the concept of a whisky distillery. We tested several options before settling on the final one. 

As told to / Suzy Annetta 
Images / Steven Ko