The interior design of O'Vesuvio takes much of its inspiration from the site’s location within the larger fabric of the city. An attempt is made to dissolve stereotypical barriers between exterior and interior urban spaces by reproducing an “exterior urban route” in an interior space, in this example, a restaurant/disco complex.

​

In the design, you find representations of all the major characteristics of the Pompeii event, i.e. the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius upon the city of Pompeii, earthquake, oozing lava, fire and smoke-filled sky. There are also representations of the culture of ancient Pompeii, e.g. its well-known architectural forms found in the Pompeian house, surrounding landscapes of vineyards as well as the erotic cults of this time.

​

These elements all appear in the renovation, superimposed upon a series of architectural sections. Upon entering the restaurant, you leave behind the relatively bland street and are immediately faced with shiny surfaces, neon lighting and vivid colours -  all together intended to be somewhat of a perceptual shock. The restaurant features three sub-spaces. The first space is a dining area and contains the bar which has a red neon representation of erupting Mount Vesuvius behind it.

The next space is a small sunken piano bar which is bordered by the third space which is another dining area surrounded by many columns and large stained glass windows with grapes, flowing drapes and a large glass design of a Phallic Bacchus at his altar. Whether you travel through the restaurant or along the adjoining corridor route, where the space culminates where the final scenes of the Pompeii story takes place, i.e. the celebration of survival and the continuing pleasures of life.

​

​