MO Studio, commissioned by Ningbo Mingxuan Liquor Co., Ltd. who is a regional distributor of Hennessy, has been entrusted to craft a new space for Hennessy, the brand it represents. Through a unique experiential design, it seeks to convey Hennessy’s enduring craftsmanship and unwavering passion to every guest.

What defines a unique experience? How does an experience embody the essence of a brand and transform into cherished memories? How can intangible emotions be materialized within a space, becoming a distinctive sensory journey? And how does MO Studio meticulously manage every aspect of this process? Or is the true exploration rooted in discovering the deep resonance hidden behind the design?

Time, like the concentric rings of a tree, marks the rhythm of life, tracing the passage of years with silent precision. As the seasons turn, our perception of time stretches from fleeting moments to enduring years, and with it, we grow more attuned to its quiet presence.

For a bottle of Hennessy Cognac, time is the silent architect, shaping its character with patience and care. From the moment of its creation, it measures its existence by the passage of the sun, moon, and stars, quietly maturing until the radiant moment when it is finally uncorked. This prolonged gestation is deeply intertwined with a vineyard in the French countryside. At the Hennessy boutique in Ningbo’s Mingzhouli Mall, meticulously crafted by MO Studio for Mingxuan Wines, every detail of the space is designed to narrate the cognac’s journey through time.

Unlike the bright, modern aesthetic commonly found in malls, the raw marble façade beckons you into a mysterious world brimming with natural power. Stepping inside, you are enveloped in an atmosphere as warm and radiant as the horizon’s glow, yet as intense as a roaring flame. Light seeps through the cracks in the walls, casting delicate shadows that transport you to the vineyard, where the richness of the earth is captured in the fertile soil. Only Ugni Blanc grapes from this terroir can form the essence of Hennessy Cognac. The scene before you is mesmerizing, engaging all senses. The air carries the deep aromas of honey, black pepper, chocolate, vanilla, and ripe fruit, layered with the delicate smokiness imparted by aged oak barrels—a quiet testament to the fire and time that shaped it.

As you explore the space, your steps are naturally drawn to the bar, where the warm glow invites you to pause and savor the moment. The rich hues of the walls extend to the countertop, where twilight’s golden light feels within reach. Beneath your feet, twenty-four slender metal strips glimmer with a golden sheen, reminiscent of the hands of an antique grandfather clock. They point towards the collection of vintage bottles on display, echoing the twenty-four solar terms of traditional Chinese culture—each drop of cognac embodying nature’s rhythm and the passage of seasons. These shimmering metal lines, the stone floor evoking the texture of fertile soil, the cracked clay vases, and the central column shaped like a grapevine stake all come together to weave a tale of time, patience, and craftsmanship. This space is an homage to the slow and deliberate growth of the vine in Cognac’s exceptional terroir. Through the turning of the stars and the meticulous care of generations, the legend of each exquisite drop is born.

The doors of the bar’s wine cabinet open, their inward-tapering design drawing you deeper into Hennessy’s world. As the bottle is uncorked, the cognac’s aroma gracefully escapes, permeating the space. Close your eyes, and you can almost feel the sunlight filtering through the leaves, the gentle rain nourishing the vines, and the warmth of the earth embracing the roots. With every breath, you synchronize with this symphony of flavors, becoming one with its essence.

The cognac is poured into a crystal-clear handcrafted glass, placed on a tray specially designed by MO Studio, and carried from the cabinet to the bar. The wide rim of the glass releases an orchestra of fruity notes, filling your senses. Nearby, the vase stands in quiet elegance, its bronze form whispering of years of refinement and patience. You take a sip, setting the glass down as you are transported to the heart of Cognac: beneath your feet lies the vibrant soil, before you stretches a sky painted in ever-changing hues, and the dark wood paneling draws you into the intimate distillery, where wine undergoes the precise and intricate double distillation process to become the singular “eau-de-vie.”

MO Studio collaborated with resin artisans specializing in wall panels, blending their expertise and understanding of materials to bring abstract inspiration into tangible form. This was not merely a production task but a collaboration built on trust and synergy. While the designers provided artistic direction, they also worked closely with the artisans’ technical skills, aesthetic sensibilities, and responsiveness to achieve the desired outcome.

For the designers, artisans, and lighting technicians involved, the resin panels were not just decorative materials but canvases infused with inspiration. Every hue and every texture was the result of collective effort. Through repeated adjustments and refinements, the team brought the material to life, transforming abstract concepts into physical reality.

Here, time is not a mere measure but a living presence—one to be felt, savored, and remembered.

Credits:
Client: Ningbo Mingxuan Liquor Co., Ltd. who is a regional distributor of Hennessy
Concept design: MO Studio
Writer: QILI CHENG
Photographe: MUNAN