Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 27 Abela is exploring the relationship between architecture and the objects that inhabit it, the furniture, materials and design elements that influence how people occupy, interact with and ultimately remember a space. "Architecture creates the framework," she explains, "but the experience of a space is also defined by everything that happens within it." This interest in the often-overlooked territory between designed space and lived experience has become a recurring theme throughout her work. While architects spend years studying form, proportion, materiality and spatial relationships, the reality of how a place functions is frequently determined by smaller, everyday interactions. The chair that encourages conversation, the table that becomes a meeting point, the object that subtly alters movement or behaviour, these elements play a significant role in shaping the atmosphere and social dynamics of a space. The concept store provides a platform through which these questions can be explored at a more intimate scale. At the core of Abela's approach is the belief that design should not merely occupy space but contribute to it. This perspective stems directly from architecture, where every element forms part of a larger composition. Walls, materials, structures and details are not considered in isolation but as interconnected components that collectively create an experience. The philosophy is reflected in the name Atelier Maison itself. Like architecture, it is built on the idea that individual elements gain meaning through their relationship with one another. The concept store extends this ethos by bringing together objects that contribute to a wider narrative about living, gathering and inhabiting space. Materiality plays a central role in this thinking. For Abela, materials are not simply aesthetic decisions but experiential ones. They influence how a space feels, how it ages, how it is used and how people connect with it. The sensory qualities become part of the architecture itself, shaping the emotional and physical experience of those who encounter it. These ideas are evident in MIKADO, one of the first products developed through Atelier Maison's expanding design portfolio. Inspired by the Japanese game of scattered sticks, the collection explores themes of connection and interdependence through a system of interlocking elements. While the project exists as furniture, its origins are rooted in architectural thinking. Rather than approaching furniture as a standalone object, the design investigates how physical arrangements can influence human interaction. The first piece in the collection, a bench designed for public and commercial environments, encourages people to sit facing one another around a shared surface. In an era increasingly characterised by digital communication and individualised experiences, the project examines how design might encourage moments of conversation and social exchange. The collection's structural language further reflects this idea. Individual components intersect, overlap and rely on one another to form a cohesive whole, creating a visual metaphor for the relationships that exist between people, objects and spaces. The project also reflects a commitment to responsible production, developed in collaboration with local craftspeople and using sustainably sourced materials. Yet sustainability is approached not only through material choices but through longevity and adaptability — principles that are equally relevant to architecture. Objects designed to endure, evolve and remain useful over time are seen as an essential part of reducing waste and creating meaningful design. For Abela, the launch of the concept store represents an opportunity to investigate architecture from another perspective. It is a recognition that the experience of space is shaped not only by buildings themselves but by the countless details that populate them. In this sense, the venture is less about product design and more about continuing an architectural conversation. One that asks how design, at every scale, can contribute to richer experiences, stronger connections and more thoughtful ways of inhabiting the world around us.

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