A new bar in Denver, Colorado, is making waves with its innovative use of recycled materials and bold color scheme. Semiprecious, located in Denver's Sunnyside neighborhood, features a striking countertop made entirely from recycled plastic, anchoring the colorful establishment designed by local studio Wunder Werkz.

The design studio collaborated with co-owners Mike Capoferri and Rahul Marwah to transform a former 1950s furniture showroom into the vibrant cocktail destination. Wunder Werkz not only handled the interior design but also became a co-owner of the establishment, leading both the interiors and branding for the project.

The design philosophy centered around using accessible, unpretentious materials that could be easily sourced yet elevated through thoughtful application. "While the space feels incredibly design forward and thoughtful, it is really all humble materials," explained Wunder Werkz partner Jon Hartman. "We used a pegboard bar face, white oak, tile, paint and industrial fixtures – all readily accessible but elevated through their thoughtful application."

The standout feature of the bar is its counter, created by The Good Plastic Company using 100 percent post-consumer appliances to achieve a faux marble effect. This innovative surface is claimed to be the first of its kind in the United States, providing both a distinguished and durable foundation for serving the bar's menu of avant-garde cocktails.

The interior's material choices and color scheme pay homage to Swiss-French designer Le Corbusier's Cabanon on the Côte d'Azur. The decision to use humble materials combined with bold colors directly references this iconic architectural work. Oxblood red dominates the space, appearing across the back bar, ceiling, banquette upholstery, and bar stools, while a brighter shade of red coats the pegboard on the counter front.

Cobalt blue serves as a striking accent color throughout the establishment. This vibrant hue appears in a band of tiles forming the baseboard, dining chairs, drink table tops, and various decorative elements including mirror frames and plant pots. The color combination creates a dynamic and energetic atmosphere that reflects the bar's innovative approach.

Many original architectural features from the 1950s building were carefully preserved during the renovation. The design retained the large canted windows and stacked stone facade, honoring the structure's mid-century heritage while incorporating modern design elements.

The visual identity for Semiprecious draws inspiration from 1950s drinking venues in New York City, particularly prestigious establishments like the Stork Club. "Both the handwritten logo and the Swiss typographic layout are anchored by a Pegasus mascot, illustrated to be equal parts cute, approachable and more than a little silly," the design team explained.

Wunder Werkz's decision to become a partner in the project stemmed from their desire for deeper collaboration and to demonstrate the growing importance of design in successful hospitality business strategy. "We firmly believe that design can be a differentiator, determining a project's success or failure," Hartman stated. "And since we have a wealth of experience working in the hospitality space, it only makes sense to take a financial stake in the brands we build."

This partnership approach represents a shift in how design studios engage with hospitality projects. "Now as partners in Semiprecious, we're using design as a strategy to solve issues, sharing in the success of our decisions as well as the risks," Hartman continued. "It changes the paradigm, allowing us to work with Mike and his team to creatively and conceptually craft something definitively new and interesting."

The project demonstrates Wunder Werkz's broader expertise in hospitality design. The studio previously created the visual identity for Brutø, a Michelin Star-winning restaurant in Denver that explores Brutalist principles through typography, materiality, and spatial behavior. This experience in high-end hospitality design informed their approach to Semiprecious.

Semiprecious joins a growing trend of bars featuring striking, design-forward interiors. Recent examples include establishments in Vancouver's modernist Waterfall Building and venues in international locations like Almaty, Kazakhstan, all emphasizing the role of thoughtful design in creating memorable hospitality experiences. The photography documenting the project was captured by Luke Gottlieb.