Austrian architectural firm Söhne & Partner Architekten has transformed a former two-story subway nightclub into the Sechser Heterotopic Discotheque in Vienna.
Söhne & Partner Architekten, a prestigious Austrian architectural firm, transforms the former Palais Palffy nightclub in Vienna into the Heterotopic Nightclub Sechser (Temporarily closed, Josefplatz, 6. Hours from 6 to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday). This project has turned the former disco into a mannerist and heterotopic space from scratch.
A future to be exploited
Laura Igalffy of Sechser, tells us more about the functions of the space: “For the moment we are just a bar, but we are planning to implement some kind of food or tapas concept. Apart from being a nightclub, we are open from 18:00 to be able to ensure a transition between a bar atmosphere to a nightclub atmosphere.”
Image of the interior of the premises where the mannerist decoration can be appreciated.
For the time being thelocation is closed due to the Belgian government’s restrictive measures to stop the expansion of Covid-19. As soon as possible, Sechser will reopen its doors.
One club, several environments
As far as the two floors that make up the nightclub are concerned, Igalffy stresses that: “genuinely speaking, our top floor is more like a bar, serving excellent cocktails with the possibility of having conversations when our guests start the evening, but it also becomes a party place during the night.
Cocktail served at Sechser
The other floor offers more space for dancing and the interior is cleaner and cooler to have large gatherings.”
As for the music, there are different DJs with their own style. However, the characteristic music of the local, according to Igalffy is about techno and house.
Mannerism, the chosen style
The concept chosen for the design of the new bar and nightclub is mannerist. Mannerism is the name given to the artistic style that originated in Italy in the sixteenth century. Its form of expression breaks with the ideas of classicism, seeks abstraction and implausibility through textures and excess.
The wallpapers and fine fabrics used to decorate the space come from House of Hackney London. The architects with the use of these materials have wanted to create an atmosphere of opulence and extravagance.
Sechser interior with Mannerist decoration
One of the challenges Söhne & Partner architekten encountered was to transform the rooms in such a way that visitors would not notice they were in a basement. By changing the barrel vault for a dynamic, undulating ceiling structure the space took on an unusual dimension.
A heterotopic place
The heterotopia of this place is perceived thanks to the curved shapes. These evoke even more confusion and drama, with colors, patterns, shapes and violent reflections. The Austrian architectural firm has succeeded in creating a decadent and provocative world born of the interaction of form, function and materiality.
Detail of a sofa and a lamp
Heterotopia is a Greek word meaning ‘hetero’ (different) and ‘topos’ (place). The term was defined by the French philosopher Michel Foucault in 1967. The concept was used to describe non-hegemonic places. It is also understood as worlds inserted in another and that act as a mirror as well as a distorted image of that which is outside.
Images courtesy of Secher and photos by Mila Zytka
