At first glance, the In/Tension Bar looks like your typical gathering space. Sleek lines rise from the floor outlining the structures stacked wood, forming a space that feels both minimal and monumental. This eye-catching bar doesn’t just serve drinks, it’s a notable example of what design can do when sustainability and collaboration come first.

Visitors will be able to experience this piece firsthand when it debuts as the central bar at the Interior Design Show (IDS) Vancouver, happening September 25-28 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Created by dHKarchitects, the bar is built entirely around the principle of reusability. Rather than relying on screws, nails or adhesives, the structure is held together purely by gravity and tension, allowing for each piece of material to be taken apart and reused in the future. It’s a design with a purpose, a “no screws, no waste” approach that proves even temporary architecture can leave no permanent footprint. 

The project is also a story of careful collaboration between B.C.-based businesses. Along with Kerrisdale Lumber, AD Projects brought the structure to life with their expertise in high quality production. Known for their craftsmanship and detail, the boutique contractor turned dHKarchitects idea into reality. 

At the heart of the bar’s composition is the use of raw dimensional lumber, the kind you’d expect to see at construction sites rather than design showcases. By reimagining this every day wood as the centre piece of design, the installation draws elegance out of the ordinary, a construction staple turned aesthetic focal point. Its uniqueness, however, lies not only in its material palette, but in the way it challenges traditional construction practices. 

“Bjorn” at IDS in 2024. Photo credit: IDS.

Anchoring the space is “Bjorn,” a commanding twelve-foot sculpture by Vancouver artist Brent Comber (Western Living‘s 2013 Furniture Designer of the Year), a self-taught woodworker and sculptor. Crafted from salvaged tree material, it further roots the work in the same philosophy of reuse and sustainability that drives the bar’s design. Bjorn deepens the dialogue between architecture and nature, reminding guests that reuse can be not only functional, but expressive.

Together, these elements form more than just a bar. Through its inventive use of materials and commitment to sustainability, the bar ties together architecture, craft and fine art.

While the In/Tension Bar isn’t built to last, its message will. 

Orchid Solang

Orchid Solang