Opening in 2024, this tropical courtyard with a sky of colorful glass panels, columns standing for trees and a forsaken train, creates its own exotic universe in Thessaloniki’s urban grid. This hybrid place aimed to inspire a strong sense of community alongside a magical journey into the history of the abandoned Madeira Mamoré railway line in the Amazon. It’s name, Mad Maria.
The kitchen is housed within an existing building, opposite the courtyard with the bar-train – or ‘avli’ as the owners call it. A pedestrian zone is running between them. On an empty piece of land, two metal canopies of colorful catedral glass panels emerged, strategically positioned to partially shelter the courtyard. Their purpose was not merely to shield against weather elements, but to create a play of atmospheric lighting and shadow. This colorful light and shadow alteration of ambiance is quite important for the creation of an authentic Amazonian setting.
This setting is definitely enhanced by the plants placed around the yard, the sound of the artificial waterfall, the varied marble surfaces and the use of natural materials in general. Oxidized metal elements (corten), earth bricks and stone remind us of the history of the abandoned train in the jungle. The kitchen space adheres to the design principles of the courtyard, while also accommodating the requirements of a modern, all-day dining destination. Mad Maria could be described as a tropical, surreal, vibrant ‘sunctuary’ amidst the monochrome urban ‘jungle’.