Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 15 It's design that reclaims land for nature and people. Living and teaching at Green School Bali has been a profound influence. There, I experienced how bamboo buildings breathe—shifting, evolving, and growing with and from their surroundings. It showed me the opportunities that stem from working with natural materials, innovating with local craft and technologies and designing with the community. This philosophy shapes our client relationships, too. We see ourselves as educators and collaborators, guiding clients to see regenerative design not as a constraint but as an opportunity to create lasting impact. In every project, we aim to turn the built environment from a boundary into a bridge—because reconnecting with nature is how we reconnect with ourselves. What are your thoughts on the current state of Maltese architecture? Honestly? It's heartbreaking. We've lost so much—our natural landscapes, our heritage, and even our spiritual centres. Once, our sightlines to our churches and piazzas anchored us all to the heartbeats of our villages and towns. Now, those sightlines are broken, and with them, our connection to place, community, and identity. This overdevelopment has consequences beyond the visual—it's biological, social, and psychological. Nature-deficit disorders are rising, especially in children. Walk through many parts of the island, and you feel the disconnection. Our architecture no longer reflects our roots that were once grounded in faith and community. Instead, it reflects a society that places more value in short-sighted profit-driven, generic, and soulless. But I'm hopeful. If we can reclaim just 25% of our land currently occupied by cars—cars that sit parked for over 90% of their lives—we could regreen our towns, restore communal centres, and reimagine piazzas as true spaces of gathering and belonging.I believe we can build and grow differently. We can create architecture that restores our relationship with nature, honours our heritage, and revives our sense of community. The potential for transformation is there—if we choose to act. Malta's architectural landscape is steeped in history but faces increasing pressure from modern development. What's your take on preserving heritage while embracing contemporary architecture? Preserving heritage doesn't mean freezing it in time. It's about understanding the essence of a place—its proportions, materials, and rhythms—and evolving those principles into contemporary design. I feel The Malta Bus Reborn is a good example. We didn't replicate the old buses; we reinterpreted their charm and craftsmanship for modern needs—blending sustainable materials with contemporary engineering. The same philosophy guided our design for Barbajean in Dingli. The facade is contemporary, but its textures and fenestrations are rooted in Malta's architectural language—from contemporary terrazzo architraves to a modern interpretation of the traditional 'fuq l-ghatba' bench. This project was a great example of transforming a modern non-descript development within the village core of Dingli to a more heritage- driven welcoming entrance, reflective of traditional Maltese craft, for its residents and visitors. When heritage informs innovation, the result feels authentic. But cut that historical thread, and you end up with disconnected buildings that could belong anywhere. True progress comes from building with our heritage, not over it. How do you approach designing in sensitive contexts where public sentiment may be divided? Our approach is rooted in contextual design—immersing ourselves in the cultural, historical, and natural fabric of a place before making a single sketch. We begin by asking: What makes this place meaningful to the people who live, work, and play here?We believe people embrace places where they feel a sense of belonging. Architecture should feel human, with softer curves and natural forms that ease the eye and the spirit, dissolving the harsh edges that can provoke tension or anxiety. Soft, organic design has the power to naturalise and humanise spaces, making them feel both new and deeply rooted. At the heart of our process is committed engagement. We design with people, not just for them, ensuring that all stakeholders—from private clients to local communities and NGOs—are part of the conversation. For us, the most successful designs don't just serve the present—they honour the past, inspire the future, and belong to the collective. How do you see architecture in Malta evolving in the next decade, and what role do you hope Mizzi Studio will play in that transformation? I hope we'll start to see a meaningful shift toward green infrastructure and regenerative design principles. Right now, Malta is experiencing a transition toward high-rise developments, but I believe we need to step back and question the necessity of these projects. While there may be scope for beauty on the skyline, the real focus should be on regenerating the Maltese landscape — bringing more harmony, joy, and nature back into our built urban environment. Our work with the Regenerative Multimodal Transport System highlights how urban mobility and green infrastructure can coexist to create more livable, breathable communities. Through that project, we've proposed strategies like reducing car dependency, reclaiming urban land, and introducing more greenery into the heart of our towns and villages. I'm also excited to hopefully be contributing more directly to the next generation of Maltese architects by teaching at the University of Malta. I hope that through education, mentorship, and real-world projects, we can influence a shift toward architecture that honours Malta's rich traditions while embracing innovation and environmental responsibility. H O M E A W AY F R O M H I V E AT T H E S C I E N C E M U S E U M P H O T O C R E D I T: L U K E O D O N O VA N K E W FA M I LY K I T C H E N P H O T O C R E D I T: J A M E S M C D O N A L D

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