Erma — an idiom that in Sichuan dialect means being slightly drunk — fits perfectly as a name of a pub located in Taikoo Li business circle, China. The brand Erma pub collaborated with HDC design to revive their old business, revealing a mixed sense of slight sorrows, laughter, and enjoyment at night. The fusion of traditional red brick with dark metal, the multi-level lines, and the geometrically folded balcony add a retro style to the whole facade. Meanwhile, pops of colors and beams of pink in collision with petrol hues, form the visual system of the entire project.

A tipsy night in Chengdu
The original detached building and the window opening system were the main challenges of the design, while the existing red bricks symbolizing the brand of Erma, asked to be preserved. The l-shaped bar counter on the ground level serves as the core of the pub, where four big funnel-type lanterns hover above, expressing the artistic conception of martial arts chivalry. The enclosed and non-linear layout emphasizes that even when sitting closely, the guests can gather maintaining their privacy.

The division of space is inspired by the traditional Chinese window lattices, which create geometrical lines. The modern metal lanterns light up the youthful vigor in every corner, while metal and lines interweave to create a tipsy night in Chengdu.