Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 9 architectural design. CAN YOU COMMENT ON SOME OF YOUR RECENT PROJECTS? Apart from the sacred auditorium, I can think of a couple of projects that I'm very happy to be working on. We are currently working on a guest house in Bormla, for which the concept was very particular. In this project we proposed an extension, which we detached from the existing fabric, creating a semi- outdoor space between the old and the new. The front volume connects to another volume at the back of the house by a floating bridge. Another project that we are working on is the renovation of a terraced house in Siggiewi. The terraced house had a few arches and the client wanted to get rid of them. Instead we convinced the client to keep them - and highlighted them. In the main entrance we created an arch within an arch. The landing in front of an existing arch was demolished and the arch was extended to the ground floor overlooking a double height. WHICH ARE THE PROJECTS YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF AND WHICH ARE YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE? I think the success of a project is the effort of the three main participants - the architect - the client - the contractor. The least favourite projects are the ones where the client is not on board or not fully committed to the concept and idea behind the design. I'd like to call the initial concept as the bible of the project. When this is forgotten, the project tends to start changing and deviating from the original concept. It doesn't mean that things do not change during the implementation of a project. However, if the initial concept is not kept in mind, it is very easy to deviate completely and lose touch with the project. In a project that we completed in the last few years - The Sacred Auditorium, the client understood the concept and made every effort to stick to it. The Sacred Auditorium was a renovation of an auditorium that is internally connected to the chapel of San Ġorg in Blata l-Bajda. The auditorium is a very important space to the society, so the initial concept was personal and almost intimate to the members themselves. It needed to feel like their second home, where they all meet at least once a week as well as celebrating the most important events throughout the year. The use of materials in this project was very important to deliver the concept that we wanted to translate to the end user. The concept was based on three elements - the floor - which we wanted to look as though it was carved out of stone, the ceiling - which forms a two way curve with copper suspended cylinders and the deep blue background defining the two elements. The ceiling is made up of a numerous amount of small elements that form one large dynamic volume that appears to be hovering over the entire auditorium. It symbolises the MUSEUM society that is made up of many different members of different ages and together form one community. On the stage, the cut outs forming the pattern become more dense, which helps draw the audience to focus on the speaker, to reflect on the cross, to view the screen, or admire the chapel and relic of St. Ġeorge Preca. WHAT CURRENT MALTA ARCHITECTURE PLEASES YOU AND WHAT HURTS? This is a difficult one. I think our vernacular architecture is a reflection of how architecture can develop organically while respecting the existing. It developed as though every addition was meant to serve the previous. Say the typical farmhouse with a central yard, where the loggia developed to create a transition from internal spaces to semi-outdoor spaces to the outdoor space. On the other hand, I do believe that we have a number of very good contemporary examples of architecture, such as Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan by Richard England - it is situated in a ultra urban area, but when you are in the garden, the architect manages to create a zen space. As mentioned before, it hurts to think of all the current development, which with every building built without any concern to the end user is a lost opportunity to give the end user the deserved sense of belonging. After all, it's the architect's responsibility to give the space the shape and form that it deserves. WHO DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY? Richard England - one of the most inspirational architects in Malta - I love his work for his timeless vision. By using volumes and colour he transforms a space into an experience that one can relate - his architecture gives the user a sense of belonging. Similarly, Luis Barragan and Louis Kahn are two of my favourite architects. They both focus on the user's experience with different tools. Luis Barragan, uses volumes and colours whilst Louis Kahn uses concrete and light. Carlo Scarpa is on the other hand a celebration of

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