Artifact
Artifact is a speakeasy bar located inside BaseHall, a food hall in Central, Hong Kong. Guests enter through a secret passage with circular windows that resemble industrial pipes. An acoustic chamber lined with tiles shaped like small speakers blocks noise from the food hall outside. The main bar is defined by rib-like arches inspired by underground cisterns. The arches were cast in fiberglass sections using a three-dimensional mould, assembled on site and hand-painted with soft plaster paint. A mirrored ceiling reflects the ribs and makes the low space appear taller.
Artifact Bar by Nelson Chow has been highlighted as a creative example of architectural design by the A' Design Award. Artifact Bar was awarded the Golden A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design in 2024. The A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award is a juried, academic and highly prestigious design award which honors superior design of residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries, retail stores, showrooms, exhibition spaces and more.
