Header: Shuo Wei Huang
Crystal Dance is the result of thorough work focused on restoring an old structure, stripping it from any previous modernity, and bringing its original concrete beams and columns to light. After putting the old building back in its first-ever form, the designers from studio Elvancent Design decided that it was time to bring creativity forward and craft a new image where new and old could work together to create a sophisticated and edgy atmosphere.
The design, born from the cooperation between designers Chu Shiuan Lin, Jou Yin Chen, and Yu Tang Chang, draws inspiration from the different states of water—ice, liquid, and vapour—and puts nature’s lifecycle in the spotlight through a combination of materials and forms. Metal mesh suspended from the ceiling, shaped in fluid, organic forms, resembles flowing clouds or water vapour, while the mirrored surfaces reflect light, evoking the clarity and fluidity of ice.
The interior features a mix of natural and industrial materials, including grinding stone, wood, and metal. The designers used textures to their advantage to achieve a space that echoes natural landscapes while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Grape vines are integrated into the metal mesh, reminding customers of the origins of the wine being sold at the bar, which further brings nature’s lifecycle into the conversation while also showing that the built environment is never truly separated from the natural environment.
A centrepiece of the space is the diamond-shaped wine cabinet, which stands above a refrigeration system embedded in the basement. This setup ensures energy-efficient cooling and optimises the use of resources, aligning with the bar’s sustainable design strategies. Here, the building’s original structure is mixed with modern techniques to achieve the desired design, all while focussing on minimising its environmental footprint through energy-efficient systems and materials.
