The moment you step inside, the new Goldmarie bistro at Mainz’s Zollhafen makes an impression with its combination of different shades of green, bold orange, and retro-futuristic atmosphere. A long, curved counter connects the varying ceiling heights, while the organic back wall evokes maritime associations.
The design of the modern bistro is inspired by coral reefs, underwater worlds, and perhaps even the interiors of cruise ships. In any case, the maritime theme suits Goldmarie’s location at Mainz’s harbor basin. The window front and outdoor terrace face the water, offering guests views of the harbor’s cranes and ships.
The bistro, with its regional and seasonal menu, also serves as an event space. Restaurateur Louisa Focking wants it to be a place for anyone who wants to enjoy Mainz’s Rhine waterfront. The color combinations recall the 1960s and 1970s, while a table lamp by Verner Panton adds a deliberate accent to the space.
“The subtle variations in color informing the hospitality space mimic an upward succession of strata from ocean depths. The play of reflection and offset – both properties of light refracted in water – is replicated in the way the furniture has been fitted and configured.”
Goldmarie is housed in the Pandion Doxx residential complex, whose double-X-shaped footprint and golden metal façade have made it a standout at Mainz’s Zollhafen. Surrounded by water on three sides, residents benefit from an exceptional location. The building was completed in 2021. At that time, the bistro spaces were planned as offices. This posed a particular challenge for the interior architects, who had to create a complete hospitality infrastructure within a shell not originally intended for that purpose.
Interior architect Lukas Nobili, in collaboration with hdg Architekten, turned that constraint into an asset. Within the maritime visual language of the space, the compact restrooms and corridor recall the spatial conditions found on boats. Their radiant orange is drawn from the color world of coral reefs. Striking sightlines from the light-filled dining area into the orange-toned corridor and kitchen make the functional zoning clearly legible.
FSB hardware in Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier® follows this concept seamlessly. Inspired by the colors of nature, Le Corbusier® developed two collections beginning in the 1930s, comprising 13 keyboards with a total of 63 colors. The door, lever handle, and recessed pull are all finished uniformly in Le Corbusier’s “orange,” LC 32080, appearing as though they have been dipped in color – or, perhaps more fittingly, like a glowing coral reef.
