Tsingtao 1903 Taproom by MINOR Lab brings a new brand experience to Beijing beer bar culture

In a lively neighbourhood of Beijing, Tsingtao 1903 Taproom by MINOR Lab showcases Tsingtao Beer’s effort to experiment. The concept also helps this legendary Chinese brand, founded in 1903, refresh its brand image and create a new brand experience.

Utilizing materials, colour, and light, the architects transform conventional associations between beer bars and their environment by innovating a new spatial experience that brings people an enjoyable sense of excitement and curiosity about Tsingtao Beer. 

The upper half of the façade is a suspended landscape space comprising double-walled, U-profile glass and plants. The composition allows gentle, filtered sunlight to illuminate the interior space during the day while offering ambient lighting for both the interior and exterior at night. 

A two-meter-wide stainless steel eave runs the length of the façade, defining a porch space. The lower half is a glass façade consisting of folding doors, an air-lock entrance and large-sized top-hung windows.

Completely openable, the glazing concept softens visual boundaries and improves the mobility of the dining experience. 

The bar area, the stepped area and the main dining area with their curved shapes result in a highly fluid space. Alongside this, a cylindrical, display walk-in cooler acts as a focal point. Storing 20 types of beer, it is equipped with a digital operation system managing all the beer taps and monitoring various metrics such as gas, temperature, flow rate, etc. 

The curved high tables and open stepped seating accommodate different types of seating while also inviting guests to casually interact. Terrazzo and exposed aggregate concrete are respectively applied to flat and vertical interfacing, revealing a compelling contrast in texture.

The material palette is all about contrast: the reflectivity of stainless steel vs the transparency of glass, the warmth of solid wood vs the smoothness of terrazzo, the coarseness of exposed aggregate concrete against the smoothness of terrazzo.