LOCATION
Maramures, Ro
BUILDING TYPE
Mixed-use | Railway cultural and hospitality facility
YEAR
2023
Abur
*Developed in collaboration with Evosign
*Adrian Ionescu Role: Landscape Interior Concept Design
*Architecture:
*Concept design presented. Final project may differ.
"The Forest Railway"
The Vișeu de Sus steam train, known locally as the Mocănița on the Vaser Valley, is a narrow-gauge forest railway with a long history. Built to transport timber through dense forests, it today remains one of the few steam-powered railways of its kind in the world. Operating through the Maramureș Mountains’ natural landscape, it attracts thousands of visitors yearly who seek to experience a journey as it was nearly a century ago. The station and its surroundings are deeply woven into the life of the local community.
"The steam..."
The architectural concept draws from the unique tradition and memory of the Vișeu de Sus railway. The station platform and café are designed to reflect the local language of Maramureș — simple, honest, and derived from the land. The café, named Abur, references both the steam of coffee and the steam of the locomotives. Traditional house forms and wooden panelling recall regional crafts, while references to railway materials, such as track tie-inspired elements, connect the design to its historic context.
"Heritage in Motion"
This project enhances the experience of the Mocănița for both visitors and the local community. By preserving and showcasing historic steam locomotives within a thoughtful new station and café setting, the design reinforces cultural memory and supports tourism in the region. It provides a welcoming space for travellers and locals to gather, rest, and connect with tradition. The project promotes the valley’s heritage, enriches community life, and contributes to sustainable regional tourism by celebrating craft, ecology, and history on an international stage
