Christmas illumination for the Volksopera quarter

light design and planning podpod design

client WKO (Vienna Economic Chamber)

In 2004, the Vienna Economic Chamber originated the competition “Light Up” for innovative Christmas illumination designs for the city’s shopping streets; the results of the competition are implemented in co-operation with Vienna’s business associations. Every year, the Economic Chamber and the City of Vienna select six concepts and promote their implementation. By 2010, Vienna’s Christmas illumination will have been comprehensively renewed to enchant locals as well as Austrian and foreign guests with pre-Christmas charm.

In 2007, podpod design was invited to submit a Christmas illumination design for the Volksoper quarter.

Visualisation © podpod design

Culture Cloud

The Culture Cloud is a new and unconventional Christmas illumination motif: no stars, angels, bells or snowflakes – just a fluffy mass of light.

Snow-white, with a touch of blue light at the lower end, the Clouds are connecting elements that float from Volksoper down Währinger Strasse and further on Nussdorfer Strasse to the covered market.

The Culture Clouds convey a little of the lightness of ballet and a bit of the transparency of classical music and endow the Volksoper quarter with a distinctive identity in Vienna’s nocturnal streetscape.

Photo © podpod design

Creating the Culture Clouds

Iris and Michael Podgorschek supervise the manufacturing of the first Culture Cloud prototype at the premises of the MK company.

Photo © podpod design

First visual impact test

The first test serves to optimise LED composition.

Photo © podpod design

The Clouds are rising

The Clouds are mounted on streetlight wires by the efficient specialists of Municipal Department 33 (MA 33) and the electrical fitters of the MCE company.

Photo © podpod design

Above the Clouds of Vienna

A view from the riser opens up new perspectives at “angel height”.

Photo © podpod design