Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 17 sustainable architecture can be very challenging to accomplish but also very rewarding. LOOKING BACK AT YOUR CAREER, WHAT PROJECT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AND WHY? It is quite hard to pinpoint one specific accomplishment but a stand out would be 'AKKA', a side project we undertook after being invited by the European Cultural Centre to participate in Time Space Existence, a collateral event to the Biennale Architettura 2021 in Venice. AKKA was a collaborative design and research project that culminated with the design of a freestanding installation which sought to showcase the architectural and tectonic potential of ReStone, an innovative reconstituted limestone material. Simultaneously we designed the extension to an existing façade as a brise- soleil composed of breeze blocks in the same material. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS LOOKING TO MAKE THEIR MARK IN THE INDUSTRY? Architecture is not an easy profession if you are in it for the right reasons. The pursuit for creativity and innovation requires a lot of patience, passion and determination but it will be worth it when you get there. WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES OR MENTORS IN THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN? SR: I grew up following the work of renowned architects such as Peter Zumthor, Alvaro Siza and Riccardo Boffil for diverse qualities which I feel may have affected my approach to some extent. However, I feel that I have evolved as an architect mainly through my work and life experiences and the people I have worked with along the way. PR: As a student I looked up to architects like Tadao Ando, John Pawson, Claudio Silvestrin, Mies van der Rohe amongst many others. Their ability to define space whilst reducing and eliminating non- essentials was a talent I worked towards. Now that I have been working in the field for a couple of years, I feel that the more I experience space, the more I can understand certain design decisions and the wider my appreciation extends. REFLECTING ON YOUR CAREER, WHAT KEY LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? SR: Somehow it still feels as though I am transitioning through the early years of my career but if there is one mindset I have eagerly adopted, it would be to question everything and listen to everyone. PR: We do not work in this field alone and depend on many people to bring our projects to fruition. It is very important to be humble and to learn the tricks of the trade. This is what makes one a master of the field. As architects we are there to bring the pieces together. It's important to fight for what you believe in and be headstrong in delivering a project but to be humble enough to know your limitations and appreciate other people's invaluable experience. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE ASPIRATIONS FOR A COLLECTIVE? We hope to continue designing spaces that contribute positively to people's lives. We have also been toying with the idea of expanding our services in the field of product design. We have recently designed a made-in-Malta bedroom furniture range called 'Salini' for local furniture company Dari and there are other similar concepts we are working on at the moment.

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