A cinematic look at the Imperial Riding School Vienna

Photography: Mel Yates

Originally a military equestrian school and later the city’s largest cinema, the Imperial Riding School in Vienna has undergone a complete renovation by Goddard Littlefair, the architecture maintained and the interiors reshaped for hospitality.

Designers Martin Goddard and Jo Littlefair have fashioned interiors that, consciously or subconsciously, call to mind the work of auteur directors; each area with its own visual identity and conceptual quality.

‘Public Spaces’ by Stanley Kubrick

From the first frame of the project, Goddard Littlefair has reimagined the existing structure, whilst bringing traces of its previous function to the forefront of the design. Evocative of the set of Kubrick’s 1999 Eyes Wide Shut, industrial lighting fixtures, finished in chrome and black-matte, are paired with back-lit timber panelling, creating a seductive ambience. Pimento red shades provide alluring jolts, woven into an otherwise paired-back palette of creams and greens.

‘Symmetry’ by Wes Anderson

As is the case with most 19^th-century European architecture, decorative architraves and curved surfaces are found throughout. Original archways have been restored to their former glory; their fileted edges emulated in the mirrors that surround the indoor pool area. The same smooth, symmetrical curvature is echoed in the adjoining health and wellness spaces, creating satisfying shapes not dissimilar to the film stills of The Grand Budapest Hotel. In the lounge, juxtaposed ornaments and pastel-hued sofas are playfully arranged, cultivating a sense of balance that, perhaps, Anderson himself would appreciate.

‘F&B’ by David Lynch

Radiating the 70s character of Lynch’s debut Eraserhead, the bar and restaurant feature walls lined with retro sconces that subtly illuminate rows of intimate booth seating. Underfoot, a mixture of geometric tile and parquet flooring support corners of low-lying seating and mid-century pieces, nodding once again to the residential spaces seen in the 1977 cult classic. A spectral installation of metal fringing traverses the ceiling throughout; its serpentine formation making for a dramatic guest experience.

‘Accessories’ by Sophia Coppola

When it comes to décor, the old-world elegance of The Beguiled meets the whimsical trinkets of Priscilla. Riding-related touches are woven through the scheme. Buckled leather accents, horsehair panels and impressionist watercolour artworks imbue the guestrooms and circulatory spaces, a meeting of classic and contemporary. The corridors speak further to the property’s equestrian origins, with bespoke carpet designs stamped with the half-moon hoof formations of dressage horses.

“Our design narrative for the Imperial Riding School Vienna encapsulates the essence of refined creativity and equine grace, offering guests a truly immersive experience where history and modernity intertwine seamlessly, inviting them to embark on a journey through Vienna’s rich cultural heritage,” says Littlefair.

Goddard adds, “Respecting the building’s illustrious past and heritage while navigating the constraints of a classical property was paramount in our approach. By carefully preserving the architectural integrity and infusing it with contemporary elements, we’ve honoured the legacy of the Imperial Riding School, ensuring its continued relevance and splendour for generations to come.”

In Mix Interiors Issue #223, we turned the spotlight on Goddard Littlefair, as the husband-and-wife duo reminisced on a decade in design.