Neon
Vienna, Austria
Restaurant design + Corporate Identity
Completion April 2008
For over a decade, Otto Wagner's 19th century elevated rail line around the Gürtel in Vienna has been progressively redeveloped by occupying the lower vaulted spaces. The 'Gürtelbögens' generous brick interiors, home to trendy clubs, rock bars, and restaurants, have come to define a central part of Vienna's night life. We were approached by a young restaurateur to design two vaults at the far end of the line where a recently completed business center was starting to fill with tenants. Unlike the neighboring vaults which open to a large courtyard, the given vaults are compressed in an alley. Furthermore, one of the vaults is obstructed by a large stair tower used by the business complex above, blocking light and views to the outsideWith these dark and narrow conditions in mind, invisible to the intersection of several major roads and rail lines around the site, we wanted to make the cavernous spaces glow from within. The sparse interior, defined by the interaction of concrete, a white steel mesh, and neon tubes that are constantly fluctuating in brightness with programmed dimmers gives the impression of a pulsing, breathing machine.
Client: Sajado Chen GmbH
Location: Vienna, Austria
Principal use: Restaurant
Total floor area: 345m2
Number of stories: 2
Particulars: Reinforced concrete, brick, prefabricated steel panels, neon lighting
Design team: Chieh-shu Tzou, Gregorio S. Lubroth
Graphic design: Maria Prieto Barea
Photos by Stefan Zenzmaier
Construction Management: Chieh-shu Tzou, Conrad Kroencke
In collaboration with Conrad Kroencke
Nominated for Adolf Loos Staatspreis für Design 2009