Hina: A Japanese Bar with Intimate Wooden Frames

An Intimate Space Inspired by Japanese Design

Located on the top floor of a 14-story apartment next to the East 3rd Ring Road in Beijing, Hina stands out as a Japanese-style bar with a whisky bar and a private karaoke room. What sets Hina apart is its use of wooden gridded frames that tighten up the environment and amplify a sense of irregularity. The backboards of these frames are finished with various materials such as sliced veneer, mirrored stainless steel, or blue-gray paint, adding to the overall multilayered atmosphere.

The wood frames, connected from the backbar, cover the ceiling of the bar counter, creating a calming and inviting environment. The bar counter itself features white artificial marble, wood flooring, and grey granite stones. The frames not only tighten up the space but also create spatial irregularity, while the various materials of the backboards produce a sense of depth and uniqueness, further reinforced by the reflections of mirrored stainless steels.

Walking through the entrance, guests are greeted by illuminated whisky bottles displayed inside the framed shelves at the backbar. The karaoke room, designed to accommodate karaoke without disrupting the ambiance of the bar, is soundproofed and equipped with acoustic boards. Custom square sofas and tables designed specifically for the karaoke room can be used in any combination, allowing for flexible usage. The soundproof room seamlessly integrates with the language of wooden grids continued from the bar counter.

The project started in November 2016 and was completed in January 2017 in Beijing, China. The targeted customer segment for Hina is a group of Japanese expatriates, as they tend to be well-educated with a higher level of disposable income. Since bars catering to this specific group are limited in Beijing, the multifunctional karaoke room was designed to meet their specific demands.

Hina's design overcame several challenges, including the division of the interior into two primary spaces by structural walls and a central bathroom. Additionally, the building's floor to slab height of 2450mm posed a constraint, resulting in drywall ceilings framed by the grids being installed only above the bar counter and a table with lights and speakers. However, these wooden frames create an intimate environment throughout the space.

Hina, with its wooden gridded frames and unique atmosphere, offers a one-of-a-kind experience for Japanese expatriates and anyone seeking an intimate and sophisticated bar in Beijing.

Image Credits: Ruijing Photo, 2017.

Intellectual Property Notice: Copyrights belong to Yuichiro Imafuku, 2017.

Awards and Accolades: Hina was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.