Thessaloniki’s New Waterfront covers a linear area of 3km with relatively limited depth. It has all the characteristics of a ‘front’, as the thin layer inserted between land and sea defines an interesting, but at the same time difficult and challenging boundary in terms of architectural design. On its south, the Thermaic Golf provides a fascinating and dynamic background, where ephemeral and mutable elements are transposed depending on the time of day and the season.
This large-scale redevelopment was built around two major design elements: the breakwater and the green spaces. Between them, the pedestrian walkway offers a bright and open perspective with no obstructions or distractions. On its one side, the massive breakwater and the unpredictable sea create a dynamic and stimulating environment, while the green rooms and gardens on the inner side form a sequence that – although part of the public space – maintains the familiar atmosphere of the private. These smaller spaces bring to mind the domestic gardens that used to reach the natural seashore in the past, before the landfill of the coast.
