Under the Awning

Students: Rebekka Waters, Florian Zeif

This project envisions a dynamic, community-driven space that guides users through a curated experience of spatial and social interactions, inspired by the vibrant rhythm of market life. At its core, the design celebrates Vienna’s café culture and the spirit of the Japanese tea house, fostering a sense of connection and communal gathering. The space bridges these cultural elements to create an environment for shared drinks, conversation, and connection, while responding to the site’s rich history and urban context.

Incorporating fragmentation and flexible configurations, the chamber adapts to different social modes and activities. It acts as a brainstorming hub, where market-goers’ suggestions and issues are gathered and translated into a collaborative digital and physical experience. This information flows into the pavilion, where workshops and public events offer interactive formats for engagement and collective storytelling. The modular design supports both physical and virtual participation, creating a seamless interaction between the local community, visitors, and experts.

The architecture is designed to blend with the urban fabric of Naschmarkt, integrating ornamentation that reflects the market’s dynamic history and diverse users. The structure itself is permanent, while movable modules provide flexibility, ensuring that the space evolves with seasonal and social changes. Through this approach, the chamber serves as both a reflection of local life and a catalyst for ongoing dialogue and community-building within the ever-changing landscape of Naschmarkt.