Bottle House

We were thrilled to undertake the design of Bottle House, a sophisticated establishment seeking to exude an inviting and luxurious home-like atmosphere. The client’s vision was to welcome a high-end clientele, focusing on delivering simplicity, spaciousness, and visually captivating aesthetics, to become an Instagram-worthy destination.

Bottle House, as the name suggests, was envisioned as a place where every visitor could feel at home, perhaps by their bar, with the unique ambiance of a high-end wine and spirits store. This establishment aimed to cater to a discerning audience and provide a sense of grandeur without compromising on a comfortable, cozy atmosphere.

The desire was to create a space with a strong presence that would also serve as a memorable backdrop for photos, encouraging patrons to share their experiences online. Additionally, the client had plans to expand into a chain of similar establishments, making it essential to create a distinct and durable design that could be replicated.

The cashier counter often dictates the flow of a venue, and we presented two concepts for its placement. Eventually, it was situated near the entrance to facilitate the sale of beverages, especially beer. The goal was to ensure that patrons buying beer wouldn’t have to traverse the entire store to make their purchases.

A striking design choice was illuminating the liquor cabinets from behind, departing from the traditional top-down or side lighting. This decision was motivated by a desire to highlight the vivid colors and unique attributes of each bottle. The cabinets and overall design predominantly incorporated neutral colors such as black and white, allowing the colorful array of bottles to take center stage.

To facilitate the taking of captivating Instagram photos and allow for easy maintenance, we used white acrylic for the cabinet background. By backlighting the acrylic, we created a visually appealing setting, both for admiring the bottles and capturing social media-worthy selfies. The cabinets were designed to be modular, making maintenance of the lighting elements simpler.

To address the challenge of moving the cabinets without causing damage or disarray, a unique design method was implemented. By creating a pattern of ‘a-b-a,’ where ‘a’ represented a 19mm board and ‘b’ a 9mm board, and recessing by 19mm, the cabinets could be effortlessly separated and replaced. This innovative design also added a touch of sophistication.

In the narrower aisles, specialized cabinets are positioned, each offering space for just one bottle. The placement of the bottles created a visual spectacle when lined, offering an engaging and highly designed view.

The heart of Bottle House is intended to replicate the ambiance of a living space, featuring distinct cabinets, tables, and chairs. This corner is designed to evoke the feeling of enjoying a drink in a cozy villa. It also serves as a flexible space for events, interviews, and gatherings.