Denver-based studio Wunder Werkz, acting as both designer and co-owner, has launched Semiprecious, a cocktail bar in the city’s Sunnyside neighborhood that brilliantly challenges the notion of luxury. Housed in a former 1950s furniture showroom, the interior masterfully blends the building’s retained original architectural features—such as large canted windows and a stacked stone facade—with a vibrant, design-forward aesthetic achieved through the thoughtful application of what the designers call “humble materials.” With the exception of a striking bar counter made entirely from 100 per cent recycled plastic appliances, the space relies on readily accessible components like pegboard, white oak, and industrial fixtures. The sophisticated color palette, dominated by oxblood red and cobalt blue, is a direct homage to the famous Le Corbusier Cabanon, proving that visionary design and a strategic commitment to material selection can be a powerful differentiator in the highly competitive hospitality business.
The Philosophy of Elevated Humility
The core design philosophy behind Semiprecious is a belief that “humble materials” can be elevated to create a sense of sophistication and thoughtful design. Wunder Werkz, which led both the interiors and branding, deliberately chose components that were readily accessible and unpretentious, contradicting the common high-cost approach to upscale bar design.
As Wunder Werkz partner Jon Hartman noted, despite the space feeling “incredibly design forward,” it fundamentally relies on simple materials. These include a pegboard used for the bar face, ubiquitous white oak, standard tile, paint, and industrial fixtures. The genius of the design lies not in the cost or rarity of the materials, but in their meticulous and “thoughtful application,” which transforms them from utilitarian objects into refined architectural elements. This approach allowed the studio to demonstrate the growing importance of design as a core business strategy, proving that it can be a significant differentiator in a project’s success.
The Centrepiece of Circularity: The Recycled Counter
While most materials in Semiprecious are humble, the bar’s most striking and functionally critical element is a notable exception: a magnificent bar counter created with a radical commitment to circular design. This counter serves as a focal point, symbolizing the project’s innovative spirit.
The distinguished and durable counter was fabricated by The Good Plastic Company using 100 per cent post-consumer appliances. This innovative technique creates a faux marble effect, giving the bar a sense of high-end, bespoke luxury despite its entirely recycled composition. Crucially, the studio claims this counter is the first of its kind in the US, underscoring its pioneering role in sustainable bar design. This powerful, durable “canvas” not only grounds the room but also sets the stage for the bar’s unique offering: a menu of avant-garde cocktails that challenge the status quo, much like the interior design itself.
A Color Palette Inspired by Modernist Masters
The bold and intentional color scheme of Semiprecious is not simply decorative; it is a direct and respectful reference to the Le Corbusier Cabanon, the minimalist seaside cabin designed by the iconic Swiss-French architect on the Côte d’Azur. This historical nod lends an intellectual weight to the modern space.
The palette relies heavily on two contrasting, yet complementary, colors: oxblood red and cobalt blue. Oxblood is used liberally to provide a sense of grounded luxury and warmth, coating the back bar, ceiling, banquette upholstery, and bar stools. A brighter shade of red is applied to the pegboard on the counter front, adding visual punch. Meanwhile, cobalt blue is introduced through a band of tiles that forms a baseboard, as well as on dining chairs, drinks table tops, and various decorative items like mirror frames and plant pots. This dynamic pairing of colors creates a lively, high-contrast interior that is both sophisticated and inviting.
The Visual Identity of Nostalgic Flair
The bar’s visual identity and branding were carefully crafted to harmonize with the interior design, drawing inspiration from a specific era and locale: 1950s drinking venues in New York City, such as the prestigious Stork Club. This branding choice adds a layer of nostalgic flair to the modernist-inspired physical space.
The overall visual identity is anchored by a whimsical Pegasus mascot, illustrated to be both “cute, approachable and more than a little silly.” This playful approach is balanced by a handwritten logo and a structured Swiss typographic layout, a classic mid-century design style. This branding strategy ensures that the bar’s overall impression is one of approachable elegance, matching the studio’s design goal of using familiar elements in an unexpected way. Wunder Werkz’s decision to take a financial stake in the project, becoming a co-owner, stemmed from a belief that the strength of their design could directly determine the brand’s success, sharing in both the risks and the rewards of their “definitively new and interesting” concept.
