Crumpled paper transforms a gallery into grotto-like Yorunoma bar in Japan

Over the summer, Japanese studio Naoya Matsumoto Design created a unique pop-up bar that gave the appearance of the inside of an ice cave.

Located in a gallery tucked behind a glass storefront in Osaka, the Yorunoma bar was previously used as a meeting and workshop space. The pop-up bar's mysterious atmosphere was accentuated by dim lighting that enhanced the space which was covered in crumpled swathes of translucent tracing paper.

Located in the Abeno-Ku ward of Osaka, the grotto-like Yorunoma bar sat in what was originally a common, blank gallery space. With the help of local residents, the clever desigers created the textural wall and ceiling surfaces by crumpling standard tracing paper and hanging it around the room. The finished rock-like appearance was amplified by placing dim, un-shaded bulbs between the paper layers to create a suffuse glow, as well as an interesting interplay of light and shadows.

This unique venue worked as a bar all through the night and featured a central wooden table where friends could share food and drinks. During the day, the space held a series of workshops where people learned origami and other paper crafts.

This striking pop-up venue ran until last August and was designed as part of a summer programme at the Abenoma gallery.