On the shores of the Patapsco, where the rhythmic lull of the current meets the whisper of history, lies an architectural marvel waiting to be uncovered. As the sun sets, casting a golden hue, it’s hard to tell if you are in Baltimore or have been transported across oceans to the Balearic Islands. Here a new waterfront restaurant emerges, as if excavated from the river’s edge, inspired by the essential atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast and rooted in the rich textures and materiality inherent there.

The waterfront restaurant and its associated floating bar (called Drift) represent the infusion of an elevated hospitality experience in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood. Reflecting its Mediterranean fare, the design conceptually references the Balearic Islands, bringing the spirit of Formentera and its many whitewashed lighthouses to the Patapsco River.

As the excavation begins, layers of history unfurl beneath the surface. Amongst the artifacts of time, the forms of antiquity are revealed. Vaults and arches expressed in salt-washed limestone, ceramics laid up in beautiful mosaic patterns, and hand-worked hardwood furnishings tell tales of past architectural traditions. Each stone or board, worn smooth by the relentless kiss of the sea, salt, and wind, is a silent witness to the passage of time.

The project’s major design element, referred to as ‘The Artifact,’ strings together the major program elements (i.e. entry, wine cellar, bar, circular booths, and family dining room). Designed as a series of vaults and arches and finished in lime wash plaster, ‘The Artifact’ feels as if it were an ancient excavated catacombs and acted as a foil against which the expansive harbor views play.