During the renovation works on an ancient heritage building from the late 18th century on Viennas traditional Berggasse, a bricked up staircase was found. It led to a twelve meter deep, second cellar area with approximately 250 square meters. Located between Votivkirche and Sigmund Freuds apartment, this cocktail and underground bar is an aesthetical gem.
Project: krypt.bar: Archeology in a Jazz Club
Location: Wasagasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Client: K 5 Beteiligungs GmbH
Architecture / Interior Design: BFA x KLK ( BFA Büro für Architektur | Architekt DI Heinz Lutter & BÜRO KLK)
Team: Jonathan Lutter, Christian Knapp, Fabian Lutter, Jürgen DePaul, Andreas Pust
Site Supervision: Cetus Baudevelopment GmbH & Oliver Gusella
Structural Engineering: Fröhlich & Locher
Photography: David Schreyer
Start of planning: Fall 2014
Start of construction: Summer 2015
Completion: Spring 2017
BGF: 420 M2
Awards:
American Architecture Prize 2017, New York – Gewinner – https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=29
Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2018 – Finalist in Kategorie (International – Europe Bar) https://restaurantandbardesignawards.com/2018/entries/krypt?cat=33
BIG SEE Interior Award 2018 – Gewinner in Kategorie Hospitality
Archmarathon Awards 2018, Finalist in Kategorie Interior Bar & Restaurant
Callwey Award – die schönsten Bars & Restaurants 2019 – 1. platz kategorie BAR
Idea Tops – International Space Design Award 2019 – Global Nomination Award
Archeology in a Jazz Club
Historical investigations showed that it was a semi legal establishment in the 50ies and 60ies in an era of Vienna’s flourishing jazz scene represented by names as Joe Zawinul or Fatty George. So the generic „genius loci“ did not have to be invented but simply revealed.
The circulation and dramaturgy of the cocktail bar starts at an undecorated, narrow entrance door that leads via an first basement level, containing the wardrobe and a mirrored vestibule to a „floating“ stair case, which suggests a touch of „Sunset Boulevard“. This pathway leads directly to the seven meter main bar. Several alcoves, a hidden booth, the smallest art gallery in Vienna and secret hallways surround the center piece and give the impression of a nearly surreal venue fallen out of times.
Due to the strict constraints concerning the conservation of an historic building the whole building equipment and appliances were situated in a concrete floor plate and in a load- bearing trussing which was directly generated from the engineering requirements. The whole static structure as well as the ventilating pipes and further installations, were cladded in composition gold. The floor plate is covered with a layer of italian nero marquina marble manually laid in a herringbone bond. The cladding of the the bar counter was cut out of a massive block of Sahara noir laurent gold marble applied in a mirrored pattern, the counter plate was crafted out of massive American walnut.
The furniture and illumination give the impression as if it was directly carried out of a museum of international furniture design. The famous platner arm chairs by Knoll, the candle light by Ingo Maurer or the Sofa DS- 1025 by Ubald Klug are arranged with the brand new bean bags by Alexander Wang for Poltrona Frau.
BÜRO KLK
BÜRO KLK “is one of the most interesting offices of the next generation due to both the refined interior designs and to the fact that they work not only as designers but also as entrepreneurs and consultants.”*
BÜRO KLK sees itself as an interdisciplinary bureau in the interplay between design, planning and consulting. Through the research of space, material, construction and their synergy, BÜRO KLK creates aesthetic places that shape our awareness of space and social interaction. A wide variety of projects have been conceived, planned and implemented down to the last detail by BÜRO KLK since its establishment in 2010. The characteristic works have been recognised by international publications, exhibitions and awards. At the heart of all projects stands the conceptual connection of atmosphere and functionality. Currently and among other projects, BÜRO KLK is working on a sacral pavilion in China and providing the city of Vienna with consultancy services on a city expansion project in the Nordbahnhof.
*Places for People, Biennale Architettura 2016, Austrian Pavilion, p. 54 ff.
KLK Team
