Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 13 Walking into Angie the Architect's offices in St Julians is an opportunity to step inside the workspace of one of Malta's most forward thinking design architects. A woman whose passion for reinterpreting form, function and beauty exudes from her very nature. Greeted with a bubbly welcome and a quick tour of her offices which she designed herself, you can see why clients love this talented woman's work and personality in equal measure. Her offices offer the perfect balance of warmth, style and light. I am intrigued by the multifunctional detailing rarely seen in any business set up. Such as this gorgeous room divider, come double sided white board, come planter, come electricity supply unit – ingenious, practical, and visually stunning. Noting a blend of customised wood panelling, calm textures, foliage and parquet, she explained that good office design isn't just about making the space functional, it's about creating an environment which feels welcoming, inspirational and can help with people's ability to focus. Walking around one can see why Angie has become a leader in the field of office architectural design. The superbly custom designed balcony, with its 270-degree view of St Julians was the perfect spot to sit down and get to know this fascinating architect. Looking around I can see your talent speaks for itself, but tell me, what are your earliest memories of architecture? Was it something you knew you always wanted to do? I often read about architects knowing exactly what they wanted to be when they grow up. That was not the case for me. The spaces we live, work and even learn in influence us greatly. And there is no better example of that than my own adventure into architecture. I've always had an artistic side to my character, even as a little girl I loved drawing and painting. But educationally my strengths were in maths and physics, so I assumed a degree in engineering was the right path. It was on the day when I had to submit my enrolment documents at university that everything changed. I found myself having unknowingly parked next to the Faculty of Architecture and ended up walking through intriguing building, designed by none other than Richard England, on my way to the Faculty of Engineering. Something about the space called to me. Just as I arrived at my destination, I immediately thought to myself no – engineering isn't for me. I walked back to the Faculty of Architecture, and I just knew - this is it. This is my path. So, I tore up my previous application papers and applied for a degree in architectural design. I appreciate it's not your standard entry point into the field, but that eureka moment is one I will never forget. It was like a gnawing question at the back of my mind had been answered. I knew who I wanted to become and what I needed to learn. And it felt great! You graduated in 2009 and worked for a few architectural firms before opening Angie the Architect in 2015. Did you always know you wanted to open your own business? My mother was a driving force in the business world and has been a huge inspiration to me over the years. The energy and ambition she exuded was second to none. She shaped a huge part of my childhood and I always knew one day I would run my own show. But at the same time, I didn't want to open just another firm which delivered the standard A to Z package. That's why the Angie the Architect brand has enjoyed such a strong trajectory over the years. I see architecture projects working best when you tap into a strong community of professionals, each having unique expertise and skill sets to bring to the table. I am not a jack of all trades. Too often I see that trying to do it all can drive a person to deliver something for the sake of it. When we love what we do, we take pride in our work. That's why my studio stands out. I have respect for my peers and love working with people who enjoy what they do. We are not competitors but comrades. At university we're also seeing many more segmentation and specialised degrees. It's the right direction and the results certainly speak for themselves. Has your career evolved over the past years and your approach to architecture with it? The day I stop evolving will be the day I stop doing what I do. Evolution, progression – whatever you want to call it is fundamental to my being. Every project poses new challenges, new briefs and deserves the best solutions I have to offer. I also try to be as fluid as possible as a design architect. By this I mean that every environment I design I challenge myself to not only understand how the space might be used today, but also tomorrow. You must think of space as being multidimensional and view it across a passage of time. Staying relevant in the world of architecture means respecting today but keeping an eye on tomorrow. It's natural that my approach will continue to change as it has over the past years. We are all shaped, inspired and guided by the world around us. You can't remove yourself from that. You have to be a part of it and a part of the solution. Whether its green design, new lighting techniques or energy saving processes. We must keep moving forward and embracing the change and let it influence our approach. I certainly do. How would you describe your work process? My clients realise that I'm a great believer in listening, understanding and then letting the creative elements flow. As much as I might love to immediately take pencil to paper and sketch out their request for offices or a home renovation project - it's not my starting point. I need to learn about the brand, family or person I'm working for. What are their passions, values and ideas. How do they live and work in spaces today, how is that likely to change in the future. It's not unusual to find me set up at a desk in one of my client's offices for a few days when the project begins so I can observe the way offices run. What people need close by, what needs to be put out of sight. I have a set methodology and its proven time and time again to be successful. Listen. Understand. Conceptualise. Research. Design. Create. Deliver. And throughout all of this maintain constant communication with my clients. Our studio has developed a specialism for office design, but we are also extremely passionate about residential projects too. Especially those that require restoration or renovation work. Where do you draw your inspiration from? Through growth, you gain experience and a deeper appreciation for new influences. Spending a significant portion of the year in Scandinavian countries has heightened my awareness of the impact of lighting and the transformative potential of natural materials like wood in reimagining spaces. Simultaneously, my affinity for all things Mediterranean means that I embrace colour more enthusiastically than some of my peers. While I acknowledge the cost-effectiveness of neutral design, I believe that when used judiciously, vibrant colours can infuse spaces with excitement and character. When harnessed effectively and in alignment with my clients' preferences and interests, interior design becomes an extension of their identity, enveloping them in their dreams and aspirations. It creates meaningful connections between passions through architectural ingenuity. However, our team's greatest source of inspiration has always been nature. Each architect possesses a unique signature style and mine leans heavily on the profound impact of nature on the human psyche within any environment. Nature, in its pure form, stands as the world's finest designer. If I can draw people closer to it through subtle interior elements or enhance its presence through outdoor design, I believe I'm fostering an ambiance that most of us desire for living, playing, learning or working. I plant a tree for every successful project we complete, my small way of giving back to the world. Additionally, we undertake a pro bono project each year to maintain our connection with the community. What makes me happy is seeing young challengers joining the field and thinking differently. The architects of tomorrow are ready to take on what was and shape what can be. " "

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