Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 9 What are your earliest memories of architecture? Simon: My earliest memory of architecture would have to be at around seven years of age whilst on school camp. We used to night hike from the barracks at "Majjistral" Park to Manikata church. This was back circa 1988 where I remember being particularly confused and intrigued with the building, its form, color, its function and how it sat in the landscape. I remember not knowing it was a church and had preconceived ideas of what a church should look like at the time. That night we used Richard England's creation as a landscape to play both physically and mentally, playing hide and seek and telling scary stories to each other. It was a building that gives more than function but a building that gives a sense of place. Alan: My earliest thoughts about what architecture really means are from my childhood when visiting various family properties and more than that travelling around Europe. I remember always comparing how someone had the power to decide on the way a particular space should be and the people using it would live by following the decisions of the Architect. In particular, my uncle's house was a mirror image of my parent's house since they were two semi-detached villas. This meant that their house was the wrong way round to me. How would you describe your work? Simon: I would describe our work at MODEL as contextual, functional, imaginative, fun and transformative. MODEL is an acronym for Malta / Mediterranean Office of Design of Environments and Living. Alan: We try to be extremely contextual, true to the time and user oriented in our work. This might mean different things to different people but when you see the completed examples of our work, they always integrate well with their surroundings and seemingly they are enjoyed by end users. How have you seen your career evolve over the past years? Has your personal approach to architecture changed? Simon: I would say my career evolved from being given the opportunity to work as a coffee boy in an architectural practice (Architecture Project Valletta) in the late 90s where I truly fell in love with architecture and the design process. I slowly learned about the profession as an apprentice. I was very lucky to have met some extremely talented people along the way that had time for me to facilitate my growth as an Architect, I worked throughout my studies and eventually worked in the studio for some years before starting my own studio in 2008. I believe that architecture is ultimately a team effort and that you need the right team to be part of to be successful doing it. You need likeminded people that are complementary to you. Throughout the years we have had many wonderful, talented and passionate people that have contributed to MODEL's work and continue doing great work outside MODEL. Working with different people is fun and interesting. Today at MODEL I am lucky to have my business partner Alan Galea and a great team that together complement each other to battle the complexities of every project in one common vision for a successful outcome. I also enjoy giving time to architectural students both at the studio and at the faculty for the built environment at UOM where I tutor design. Alan: Over the past years, we gained more trust from our clients and we are afforded more freedom to make decisions in our clients' best interest or in the interest of better archietcture. Personally, since the start of my career, my appreciation for nature and the importance of connecting our buildings and experiences to nature has become more important to me. What led to your biggest success as an architect? Simon: I'm not sure what success you are referring to too. It is all an ongoing process of growth and development. One may think this is measured by the number of awards you may receive or publications you may have had but ultimately Architecture has a responsibility to our community, we have the responsibility to create spaces that both improve the way we live and uplift the soul. I will let time judge and tell the story. Alan: Perseverance in general is the key to my success. That and a good team. Without a good team, we would have no success. I think success is a big word to use for now. Maybe we have relative success at this point but we have so much more to offer. What inspired you to start your own business? Simon: It seemed to be the natural thing to do, both my parents were self-employed. My mother worked in property as an estate agent and focused on properties in Valletta in the late 90s early 2000s. Whilst my father was a software developer, working in IT, a kind of virtual architect with a soft spot for architecture. They both worked very hard but seemed to be in control of their working hours and had time for me and each other. That was something I liked and wanted for my future. So I was young Naïve and Romantic about Architecture with nothing to lose and told myself, Just do it! The rest is history. Alan: It was a natural progression since I was always passionate about the business side of the industry too such as marketing, finance, management and strategic thinking. Besides that, I wanted to build a family and the fexibility and freedom of time made it more attractive. What have you brought to architecture in Malta? Simon: I think this would be a question best asked to my peers, I feel elaborating on such a question would be somewhat be pretentious. Albeit I would hope to think that I have been one of the architects of my generation that have helped shift the perception of an Architect / Perit in Malta from one that you engage for a permit to one closer to the professional that you engage to create meaningful space. I also hope I have managed to encourage young architects to pursue their dreams in architecture. Alan: I don't feel I have had any impact yet on Architecture in Malta. What has been the highlight of your career? Simon: The highlight of my career is to still be able to do what I love whilst still making a living doing it and operating from our own premises in Marsa. I strongly believe that we should build for our time and need to find appropriate ways to create harmony with traditional buildings. Modern buildings in Malta is a vague subject as money, greed and inconsistent planning policies have resulted in a questionable architectural period for us. " "

• Cover