Press Release
Plus 81 Bar and Club by Takahiro Todoroki Is Granted the Bronze A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Takahiro Todoroki acknowledged for interior space and exhibition design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 20, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ Plus 81 Bar and Club by Takahiro Todoroki, designed for Engine, Inc, has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The recognition forms part of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
The Bronze A' Design Award Explained
The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Regarding Plus 81 Bar and Club
Plus 81 is a bar and nightclub interior set within an aging shopping mall. The facade resembles a temporary construction site clad in Japanese newspapers, and the entrance is concealed behind a figure shop, creating a gradual transition into the interior. A central bar anchors the layout, while surrounding zones support dining, lounge seating, karaoke and private gatherings. A grid ceiling with RGB lighting responds to the low ceiling height and adds visual rhythm. Materials include zinc-galvanized steel, etched mirrors and resin flooring with graphic typography.
About Takahiro Todoroki
engine,inc. was established in Tokyo in 2000 and has designed for over 350 projects in Japan and around the world." Bringing Japan's unique and soulful designs to the world! is our motto, and we are working to bring the design of "WABI" and "SABI", the ancient Japanese aesthetics of space, to the world by sublimating them into modern design. We are also working to commercialize all products related to space as our own original products, and plan to launch the "FUTURE NEON" lighting brand and the "CONTENEDOR DESIGN LABO" house brand in 2024.
Award Record
With this recognition, Takahiro Todoroki is a winner of 4 A' Design Awards. The awards were granted between the 2023 - 2024 and the 2025 - 2026 editions of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award
The A' Interior Design Award is an international interior design competition recognizing good interior designs by interior designers and architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to interior designers, interior architects, architects and decorators from all countries. Typical entries include residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries and retail stores. The awarded interior designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/interior
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/183476
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/183476
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!183476
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/352629
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://x.gd/2T37z
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
###
Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Plus 81 Bar and Club
- Function
- Bar and Club
- Category
- Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture and Packaging & Retail
- Colors
- Black, Dark Slate Gray, Dark Olive Green and Sienna
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Engine, Inc
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Takahiro Todoroki
- Country
- Japan
- Recognition
- Bronze A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #183476
Credits
- Image Credits
- Photographer : Katsumi Hirabayashi
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- This project introduces a Neo Tokyo Speakeasy hidden within an aging mall, blending into its surroundings with a facade resembling a temporary construction site clad in Japanese newspapers. A concealed entrance through a figure shop creates a narrative transition into a vibrant interior. The design contrasts secrecy and spectacle, revealing a dynamic nightlife space. A grid ceiling with RGB lighting compensates for low height while generating visual rhythm, transforming spatial limitations into an immersive experience.
- Inspiration
- The design is inspired by Japan 1980s and 1990s subculture and bubble era nightlife, reinterpreted in a contemporary context. It draws from manga, neon, and retro materials to evoke nostalgia and energy. The concept also reflects the idea of multifunctional entertainment spaces, similar to karaoke culture in Japan. Given the limited scale, the project aims to maximize usage beyond nightlife by creating zones adaptable for dining, socializing, and private gatherings, merging cultural memory with modern urban lifestyles.
- Research
- This is an applied interior and experience design research. The objective was to create a multifunctional nightlife venue within a low ceiling and limited footprint by reinterpreting Japanese subculture. The methodology integrated zoning, atmospheric design, acoustic control, and narrative sequencing over a 3-month design and 7-month construction period. Data were gathered through user scenarios, site constraints, and mock-ups using drawings, 3D models, lighting tests, and material studies. The result enhanced user engagement and commercial performance.
- Challenge
- The main challenge was designing a high-impact nightlife space within the constraints of a low ceiling and limited footprint in an aging commercial building. Additionally, the complexity of the design led many contractors to decline participation, and initial costs exceeded the budget. These issues were addressed by simplifying construction systems and clearly communicating design intent through detailed drawings. Continuous adjustments and rework were required to achieve the intended quality under inconsistent construction conditions and scheduling delays.
- Realization and Technology
- The spatial design integrates club, bar, dining, and karaoke functions through strategic zoning and circulation planning. A central bar anchors the layout, while surrounding areas enable continuous movement. Acoustic performance was optimized by avoiding flat surfaces and applying geometric wall patterns. Materials include zinc-galvanized steel with exposed rivets, etched mirrors with integrated RGB lighting, and resin-coated flooring with graphic typography. Construction methods were systematized to match local skill levels, supported by detailed drawings and modular fabrication techniques.
- Operation and Interaction
- The venue operates as a lounge bar and restaurant on weekdays and transforms into a nightclub on weekends. It accommodates diverse user needs, including dancing, dining, drinking, and karaoke. Guests enter through a hidden route, gradually building anticipation before reaching the main space. The layout encourages exploration, allowing users to move freely between zones such as bar counter, lounge seating, and private rooms. This layered experience creates excitement and discovery, making each visit unique and engaging.
- Project Duration and Location
- This project began its design phase in Japan in 2023 and opened in Manila, Philippines, in May 2025.
- Specifications
- Total area: 240 sqm. Ceiling height: 2355 mm. Structure: steel frame. Materials: wood panels, plaster with aggregates, etched mirrors, zinc-galvanized steel, resin, LED neon. Ceiling: timber frame with paint and random zinc panel cladding. Floor: pigmented mortar with urethane coating and kanji graphics. Walls: wood panels, plaster, mirrors, printed wallpaper. Lighting: 50 lux ambient, 2700K. Equipment includes projection mapping floor, digital display columns, and Void Acoustics sound system.
- Keywords
- Club, Bar, Lounge, Speakeasy, Japanese, Philippines, Anime, Manga
