Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1508294
Architecture & Design | 17 genuine. You can't demand respect, but you can earn it from each other by working together as a team and ensuring everyone knows their roles, the expectations and how to approach challenges, of which there will be many. Behaviour breeds behaviour. The best advice I can offer is always listen and look at any project wholistically. Each project has a team, and every member in that team adds value. Don't let structural engineering work in a silo away from design, or mechanical engineering. Design together. Who do you admire and why? What advice would you give aspiring architects? I have a lot of admiration for many brilliant architects. But I can't narrow it down to one person. It's more a general admiration for anyone who has unwavering principles they follow. Core values which include respect and doing things the right way. Even if I see a young and aspiring architect who is incredibly passionate about something, I admire them because they are following and pursuing their own truth. The best advice I can offer is find your own architectural language and voice. Find your niche and your path will follow. Be the best at what you love and success will be within reach. Never be indifferent, because your passion and skill could be the driving force to inspire others to create wonderful things in the spaces you have designed for them. What do you think is the current state of quality in Maltese architecture? We're in a strange time. A construction boom of course as everyone can see, but unfortunately there are visible mistakes and errors that are brought about possibly by greed and hence, lack of quality. 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. Personally, I do dream of more open spaces, or design where construction and open spaces are given equal importance. Take a row of apartment blocks. If we could just allow a perimeter of open space between each block, we'd be able to create more corner apartments, make more use of natural light and more space between buildings for aesthetic purpose but even for people's mental health. We know it's possible. We just need to challenge a lot of mindsets to help us get there. What hurts me the most is seeing a townhouse taken down in favour of apartments. We're losing a huge aspect of what makes us unique. I hope we'll all take a moment to slow down and assess what the future going to look like. What is your ultimate goal? What do you want to be remembered for? To keep loving what I do. No matter what bumps come along the road I'm on. And to keep learning, adapting and being fluid. Architecture isn't an overnight career success story. You need the grit and determination to persevere. But so far, I'm loving every single minute of it. Where do you see the future of architecture? Technology is undeniably advancing at a pace beyond our initial expectations and this ongoing transformation will continue to reshape the entire industry. I believe it will exert its influence across all specialised fields, spanning from design and virtual reality to construction and manufacturing. How architects respond to this evolution varies from one individual to another. For me, the key lies in becoming more intelligent in our approach, fostering a greater respect for the natural world and devising innovative solutions for better urban, commercial and residential design. Still, no matter how far technology takes us, I don't think I can ever move away from the enchantment I feel whenever I pick up a simple pen and sketch pad and allow my imagination to run free. That is where the magic happens. VA C AT I O N H O M E , G Z I R A P h o t o c r e d i t : S t u d i o K o n n e c t