Lamella structure forms Veganista’s new ice cream stand in the courtyard of Vienna’s Museumsquartier

Veganista, the vegan ice cream company that operates already twelve locations in and around Vienna, opens a new stand in the courtyard of the city’s famous Museumsquartier. The Museumsquartier is one of the world’s largest cultural institutions and its courtyard has become a popular hangout spot for tourists and locals alike. 

Veganista commissioned the young architecture office durchgedacht to create a design appropriate for the prominent location. The architects decided that since the place is known and popular because of its remarkable architecture and exceptional art installations, the ice cream stand should be exceptional as well.  

The goal was also to create a design that communicates elegance and the high quality of the ice cream. At the same time the roundish volume should appear friendly and inviting.

While the design is supposed to be special and appealing it must not interfere with the existing assembly. „Besides the very tight budget, the biggest challenge was to find the right balance between being special but also respecting the existing institutions and not taking away their entitled focus“, explains architect Peter Paller. To fit in harmoniously, the proportions of the Mumok and Leopold Museum that dominate the courtyard, were picked up and used as a framework for the new stand.

The sculptural volume is created by 130 lamellas attached to a wood frame structure. Since the stand has to be removed during the winter months, the construction consists of twelve frames that can be easily disassembled. When the stand is closed, the hatch and door blend in perfectly and complete the volume projected by the lamellas.

In September the Museumsquartier got another interesting addition, when the roof of the Leopold Museum opened to the public, offering a consumption free terrace and an event space. From up there visitors can now easily spot the slogan „Ice Ice Baby“, placed on the roof of the stand, enticing them to go get a scoop of ice cream. The slogan was originally only supposed to be a placeholder, but since the client feel in love with it, thinking it spreads exactly the right vibe, it remained.