How Our Handmade Terracotta Tiles and Slabs Transformed the SZIHN Bakery in Siebenhirten

Wooden shelves with fresh breads and the Szihn logo in the background

At the U6 Siebenhirten station in Vienna, the scent of freshly baked bread and pastries leads directly to the first renovated branch of the Szihn bakery chain. But this time, it’s not just another bakery — it’s a space that tells its own story through design. The leading role in this narrative is played by handmade terracotta tiles and large-format terracotta slabs, bringing warmth, texture, and character into every corner of the interior.

Terracotta Fliesen am Boden und an der Theke in moderner Bäckerei SZIHN
Tradition trifft auf Moderne: Terracotta Boden und Thekenverkleidung in der Wiener Bäckerei SZIHN

Visual Redefinition of the Brand Identity

Szihn stands for artisanal quality and long-standing tradition in Vienna. Now, this tradition is gaining a new dimension — with an authentic design approach, natural materials, and handcrafted precision. The Siebenhirten branch is the first to undergo this transformation, creating a prototype for future locations across the city.

Collaboration with Artmüller Architects

The interior design was developed by the renowned Vienna-based studio Artmüller Architects, with architect Alexander Holzer shaping the distinctive terracotta cladding on the front of the sales counter. Their philosophy was clear: natural and functional, rustic and modern, traditional and urban. Our task was to translate this vision into material form.

Terracotta Tiles: A Floor That Tells Stories

Between the sales counter and the customer area lies a floor made of handmade terracotta tiles, laid in the characteristic herringbone pattern. Each tile is hand-shaped, with subtle variations in color and texture — creating a lively, warm surface underfoot.

Handmade terracotta tiles laid in a herringbone pattern with rustic texture.
Handmade terracotta tiles in a herringbone pattern – rustic and unique.

Advantages of Our Tiles:

  • Crafted by hand with a natural patina
  • Visual connection to the brand’s traditional identity
  • Highly durable and easy to maintain
  • Ideal for high-traffic areas

Terracotta Slabs at the Front of the Sales Counter – A Technical and Aesthetic Masterpiece

The most striking element of the interior can be found right at the front of the sales counter — large-format terracotta slabs designed by Alexander Holzer. Their production was particularly demanding, as handling terracotta at this scale poses technical challenges. Precise control of temperature, humidity, and drying processes was required to ensure that each slab remained structurally stable and visually authentic.

Large-format terracotta tiles on the sales counter and a herringbone terracotta floor in the Szihn Bakery
Handmade terracotta tiles on the counter and floor in harmonious interplay

These slabs have become a true visual highlight — a combination of artisanal precision and architectural vision that leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.

Material Mix for a Holistic Atmosphere

The bakery’s interior concept combines terracotta, untreated wood, black steel, and hand-plastered walls. Each material was deliberately chosen to emphasize warmth, tradition, and functionality. Here, terracotta is not just a floor covering — it is a defining element of the space’s identity.

Hand-plastered wall with a textured surface and round upholstered backrests in the interior of the Szihn Bakery
Handverputzte Wandfläche und runde Rückenlehnen im modernen Sitzbereich

Future Branches: A Unified Style Across Many Locations

The Siebenhirten branch sets the standard for upcoming renovations across the entire Szihn network. The combination of our handmade materials and the architectural concept creates spaces that invite people to stay, enjoy, and return.

Visit Us or Work With Us

🔹 If you’re in Vienna — stop by the Szihn Bakery in Siebenhirten and experience how handmade terracotta transforms the atmosphere of a space.
🔹 If you want to design a place with character and personality — get in touch with us.

Our terracotta tiles and slabs are more than just materials — they are handmade stories.

Thanks for the Excellent Collaboration

Location: Szihn Bakery, U6 Station Siebenhirten, Porschestraße, 1230 Vienna
www.szihn.at

Architecture: Artmüller Architekten – for the concept and overall planning
www.artmueller.eu

Carpentry: Janko Bister WOBI – for the production and processing of the wooden elements
www.wobi.at

Ceramics: Pani & Kovar OG – for the professional installation of terracotta tiles, slabs, and ceramic tiles
www.pani-kovar.at

➤ Discover our complete collection of terracotta tiles

➤ Or read more about how we make our tiles

👉 [Terracotta Tile History – From Antiquity to Today]
👉 [Interview with Master Craftsman Mile – Responsibility & Attention to Detail]