Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 13 WHAT ARE YOUR EARLIEST MEMORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND HOW DID THEY SHAPE YOUR PATH AS A DESIGN ARCHITECT? SR: My father worked as a draughtsman. Back then, all drawings and visuals were drafted by hand so as a child I would often watch him develop architectural drawings and visuals in ink on his easel. It was this artistic expression of communicating architecture through ink drawings that initially drew me towards the profession. PR: As a child I recall knowing there were things I wasn't interested in and didn't want to pursue. There were no architects in the family so it's not something I was specifically exposed to but I seemingly gravitated towards the field out of natural consequence. I grew up in a very well-lit and ventilated British Period apartment and attended a school where all classrooms had abundant natural light so later in life as I became exposed to substandard properties I felt a yearning for quality spaces and wanted to make a difference. I strongly believe in the correlation between a space and the lasting imprint it has on one's mood and experience. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION BEHIND FOUNDING A COLLECTIVE IN 2014? Creatives have an innate drive to express themselves freely without needing to conform to someone else's ideas. We wanted to harness this concept by forming a collaborative of like-minded individuals who despite having a similar mindset and ethos would contribute unique and innovative ideas to the common pool that is A Collective. This is also why we steered away from the traditional self-named architectural practice that was still trending at the time. The studio's approach and values are linked to preservation of identity, conservation of architectural heritage and bold yet respectful contemporary intervention. We look towards fundamental architectural parameters such as light, ventilation, proportions and the use of natural materials to create spaces that positively affect the end user. A Collective also strives to implement architecture that is sustainable, acknowledging the impact of the industry on both the built and natural environment. A COLLECTIVE OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FROM ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTION TO INTERIOR DETAILING. HOW DO YOU MANAGE SUCH DIVERSE ASPECTS OF A PROJECT, AND WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU SEE IN PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE? Fundamentally, architecture is about creating spaces rather than building volumes. Architecture and interiors are linked in the same way that form follows function - the two are indispensable to each other. It is for this reason that to us the most successful projects are those where one vision follows through from architecture to interior design and detailing. AS A MARRIED COUPLE WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER, HOW DO YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DYNAMICS INFLUENCE YOUR WORK AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES? It's pretty simple actually; the relationship works because we are aligned in many ways. At the workplace we tend to give similar advice to our employees and rarely have opposing trains of thought. We are also rarely co-leading the same project so even if we disagree, one of us will have the final say. That said architecture is also not just a 9 to 5 job for us. We get to share our passion and love for architecture every day through the spaces we experience and the places we travel to. WHAT IS YOUR ARCHITECTURAL STYLE? Whilst there may be elements in our designs that one could identify as pertaining to our studio's aesthetic, we like to believe that each project is distinct, molded through the consideration of contextual cues and a rigorous client brief, creating architecture that is meaningful and therefore timeless. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE PROJECTS YOU WORKED ON AND HOW DID THEY INFLUENCE YOUR APPROACH TO DESIGN? SR: I would say there is a lesson to be learnt from each and every project but in reality, I feel that my design approach has evolved through my life experiences, the places I've worked in, the people I've worked with, and the countries I've travelled to. PR: Each and every project leaves an imprint. It's these experiences which help to shape and mold our designs over time. We were once approached to design and build a villa for a visually impaired client and her husband. This project really knocked us off our feet and made us rethink our every step. It was a truly beautiful challenge which made us appreciate and reconnect with all of our senses. This challenge affected not just how and what we designed but also how we communicated and presented this to the client. We walked through each step of the plan explaining distance using sound, whilst using all the other senses to make up for the one being lost. HOW DO YOU APPROACH A NEW PROJECT, FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION? COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DESIGN PROCESS? The departure point would be to understand the client and brief, to listen to but challenge expectations, to experience context and be inspired by it. Next, one should let the creative process unfold, we like to communicate our thoughts through sketches, illustrations and virtual modelling. There are quite a few technical steps that follow, some of which include costing exercises, material research, detailing, and site supervision, all of which are an indispensable part of the design process. WHAT ROLE DOES CLIENT COLLABORATION PLAY IN YOUR PROJECTS, AND HOW DO YOU ENSURE THEIR VISION IS REALISED? The client is the end user and their opinion is invaluable in ensuring the success of any project. Working closely with clients and getting to know them personally is actually one of our favorite parts of the job. To us the client is at the core of every project and we like to involve them through every step of the process. The best projects turn out to be the ones where client and architect challenge each other through constructive debate, working together to achieve designs that are unexpectedly unique. Malta is a land of missed opportunity. We have inherited a rich architectural legacy which until the early 20th century could easily have been the envy of any other country but we keep demolishing beautiful buildings and replacing them with mundane apartment blocks. " "

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