A Resto-Bar in Chinatown Features a Design that Reflects the Area's Evolving Landscape

Small but perfectly formed, Small Shifting Space is Petaling Street's hippest resto-bar and Wunderwall Design’s ode to the past, present and future

Once seedy and ramshackle, Petaling Street, or commonly known as Chinatown, today has become home to some of the city’s most design-forward spaces. Chief among them is Wunderwall Design’s Small Shifting Space (SSS), a two-storey heritage shophouse dedicated to a chef-driven kitchen, natural wines and community events.

With its reflective façade, SSS is an eye-catching landmark whose design concept evolved through discussions with Ejin Sha of Studio Ejin Sha, who was handling the branding.

Above Wunderwall's clever design makes the most of the limited area

“Through conversations, a few keywords were identified: plurality, progressiveness, experimental, past, present and future. These keywords informed our design in terms of configuration, materials and detailing, and is the main core behind SSS,” states Wil Ken, one of the founders of Wunderwall Design.

“We talked about how the facade in reflective steel panels would give it a sci-fi quality and decided to expand further on that narrative, drawing inspirations from movies like Blade Runner,” recalls Ken.

“Even though the footprint is small, we tried to have different points of visual focus; the open kitchen to make the space alive and energetic, the coffee/wine bar with its shifting panel and alien-like dried floral arrangement by Za Huo Hang, and a yellow tinted slit focusing on the movements in the street outside.”

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Above The reflective facade has become a landmark of sorts in Petaling Street

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The facade was meant to cater to the brief of having different day and night vibes. Clad in reflective material, the panels blossomed from an idea suggested by Sha. As it was a very bold gesture, the client was hesitant to sign off on it but Ken and his team were persistent.

“The thought was to have the facade reflect the life of Petaling Street, a subtle move to blend into the surroundings quietly,” states Ken. “The growing F&B scene in this area has many of them playing the heritage card for their interiors so we believe that a balance is needed because vintage aesthetics would not work with the concept of SSS as an experience.”

Above Old brickwork contrasts well against the modern additions

Above Details maketh the space

Grey and silvery materials of stainless steel, silver travertine and grey pebble wash dominate the interior finishes with walnut veneer used sparingly to maintain warmth within the cold steel palette.

Silver travertine is the only material with a strong natural vein within the palette and is used on the counter to give visual complexity, contrasting with the smooth stainless steel and grainy pebble wash.

The old plaster ceiling was stripped to reveal the original timber floorboards and beams of the shophouse. Leftover tiles from the bubble teashop that previously occupied the shop lot were removed as well, with the old brickwork underneath maintained.

“It was very important for us to reveal the patina of time on these old bricks and timber beams because these embody the spirit of the place,” concludes Ken.

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Above Dining areas are austere yet warm

Credits

Photography

David Yeow Photography

Topics

design designinspo architecture interiordesign restaurantdesign bardesign petalingstreet

Tatler Asia

Small Shifting Space Is a Reflection of Petaling Street's Evolving Landscape

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