Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

 

And just as I thought I’d seen it all, along comes a giant Disco Ball Pizza Oven I’m literally squealing with excitement at this little nugget of genius. Disco Volante is a Viennese pizzeria designed by an Austrian architect, Lukas Galehr, who is also part of the awesome design collective MadameMohr. This interior is a shining light of example of the power of a single design element – its ability to completely transform the space and take it to a whole new level cannot be underestimated.

The client brief called for an atmosphere of a typical southern Italian pizzeria, while capturing the spirit of the “Italo-Disco”era of the 1970s and 80s. Galehr’s stroke of genius was to turn the heart of the pizzeria, its wood fire oven, into a giant disco ball with a rotating mechanism. I know! Take THAT John Travolta. Your Saturday Night Fever moves ain’t got nothin’ on this baby.

 

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

 

The oven was both designed and produced by MadameMohr, who aim to not just design but also fabricate where possible. The outer shell of the oven was made from heat resistant concrete, and produced utilising CNC-milling technology, with a rotating mechanism hidden underneath the baking surface. The shell is covered with approximately 7500 special cut mirror tiles which were glued on site.

 

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

 

The existing ceiling in this former grocery store revealed an extra meter of height once it was removed. This additional space contributes to the canteen-like feeling known from the overcrowded places in Naples drowned in neon light. Adding to this harsh and rather uncomfortable environment are the former church benches and timber chairs, typically found in Vienna’s city departments. The tables are only large enough to leave space for a pizza and a beverage each. While this decision might sound unusual, the architect maintains this approach was one of the key elements to the success of Disco Volante.

 

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

Disco Volante by Lukas Galehr in Vienna, Austria | Yellowtrace.

 

The waiters and waitresses are dressed in specially designed overalls by fashion designer Milena Heussler & Luciano Raimondi, reminiscent of mechanics outfits.

At night, the main lights are dimmed with spotlights directed onto the oven to get the party started. I mean, who doesn’t love a little bit of Euro Pizza Rave action? Precisely! Here’s that the oven looks like in action.

 

 



[Photography by Lukas Schaller, courtesy of MadameMohr.]

 



About The Author

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With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

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