Sundry and Vice

Renaissance (noun), re·nais·sance - a situation or period of time when there is a new interest in something that has not been popular in a long time, a rebirth

Within the vernacular renaissance of Over-the-Rhine, Sundry and Vice eschews a location more travelled or well-lit in favor of a forgotten corner at the intersection of an alley and cross-street.  

Conceived from a slice of Cincinnati lore, the project is a non-descript apothecary fronting a prohibition period bar riffing modern, classic hand-crafted cocktails. Instead of a themed bar, the design is generated from the mixology; a meticulous, hand-crafted space. 

Thick masonry openings foil a thin contemporary glass storefront for the curation of bottles and pharmaceutical bric-a-brac, both which provide a distorted glimpse into the space or out to the street. A carpet of patterned tile acts as a datum for the spatial arrangement of the bar, seating, casework and bathrooms.  Within the diminutive 1000 sq. ft. footprint, the commitment to the smallest detail is seen even in the simple requirement for a public, communal ‘bathroom’ sink. The vessel, separated by a mirror, is accessed from both sides. This results in the unique experience of seeing oneself in the mirror while seeing the exposed hands of the person opposite the mirror extending to the vessel.