ISSUE 80
INSPIRATION IMPROVEMENT STYLE
THE ARCHITECTS ISSUE
+ LIVING & DINING SPECIAL
for everything
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The Panton Chair is a classic in the history of furniture design. Conceived by Verner Panton in 1960, the chair was developed for serial production in collaboration with Vitra in 1967. It was the first chair to be manufactured completely out of plastic in one single piece.
Panton Chair Classic Design: Verner Panton, 1959/1960
www.vitra.com/pantonchairclassic
Available through the following Vitra dealer: Dex Workspaces Mdina Road · Qormi · Malta · QRM 9011 · T. +356 22 77 3000 · www.dex.com.mt Member of the Vivendo Group Sign up to the Vivendo newsletter; furnishing and design for architects: bit.ly/vivendonews
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CONTENTS HW
® ISSUE 80 SEP/OCT 2016
042 COVER STORY SCULPTURED DEFINITION A family home with a difference
027 034 086 090
09 011 018 023 024 028 034 042 050 058 060 079 083 086 090 094 097 099
contents
Reader letters and competition Edit – News My Design Life – Richard England Meet the Creatives – Roberto Tweraser What makes the perfect home In Search of Perfection A Very Modern Makeover Sculptural Definition A Flair for the Dramatic Shop Living and Dining special Lifestyle news Cool Water Food & Wine – All in One Travel – Palazzo Consiglia Essential suppliers Address book Back Story - Farson’s Brewery 005
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FOR BIGGER THOUGHTS.
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www.boconcept.com.mt
info@boconcept.com.mt
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EDITOR’S LETTER HW
This Issue. It takes a special talent to look at an uninspiring set of walls and see the amazing family home that it can become, or take a client’s wish-list and translate this into something unique, so this issue we celebrate the work of architects. Plus there’s a Living & Dining special with plenty of inspiration on how to create this most important of spaces. Our three homes are completely down to their vision, from a striking new-build to two inspiring renovations. As well, one of Malta’s foremost architects, Richard England, fills in the My Design Life questionnaire – find out what inspires him to what he can’t live without. We also asked a number of architects and other creative folk the question, ‘what makes the perfect home?’ Read what they had to say and then give us your view on our Facebook page. Plus we’ve got a Living & Dining special with plenty of inspiration on how to create this most important of spaces. In cuisine, local chef made good, Nicole Pisani, creates delicious and healthy meals in a bowl. Enjoy!
PUBLISHER MARC SPITERI HOMEWORKS is published by Writeon Limited. and is a registered trademark of Writeon Limited. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the Publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved. Dates, information and prices quoted are believed to be correct at time of going to press but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. Neither the editor no publisher accept responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. While we endeavour to ensure that firms and organisations mentioned are reputable, the editor can give no guarantee that they will fulfil their obligations under all circumstances. © 2016
EDITOR RACHEL LOOS PUBLICATION COORDINATOR SOPHIA SPITERI LIDIA BROCKDORFF ART DIRECTOR MARC SPITERI DESIGN JONATHAN BAJADA
PHOTOGRAPHY ALAN CARVILLE ISSY CROKER RICHARD ENGLAND TONIO LOMBARDI MATTHEW J. MERCIECA, PETER MARK MERCIECA
SALES & MARKETING ROBIN MILLS +356 2133 9999 +356 9933 2224 sales@homeworks.com.mt PRE-PRESS & PRINTING GUTENBERG PRESS
ALEXANDRA PACE CONTRIBUTORS KATE ADAMS JENNIFER JO BARTH HOLLY KNOWLES GEORGES MEEKERS NICOLE PISANI MELINA SCODANIBBIO
DISTRIBUTION MILLER DISTRIBUTORS POSTAL ADDRESS / E-MAIL WRITEON LTD. 89 TIGNÉ STREET, LEVEL 2, SLM3170, MALTA info@homeworks.com.mt
GET IN TOUCH HOMEWORKS is distributed to all outlets that carry the Sunday newspapers. We’d love to hear your opinions - what you love, what you love less, and what you’d like to see more of! Email us on info@homeworks.com.mt 007
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READER’S RESPONSE HW ®
GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK AND WIN FORWARD YOUR IDEAS OUTLINING WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUBLISHED IN HOMEWORKS. THE PERSON SUBMITTING THE MOST INTERESTING IDEA OR CONCEPT WILL RECEIVE THIS ‘DAY IN THE PARK’ PICNIC HAMPER FOR FOUR PEOPLE INCLUDING CUTLERY, PLATES, TUPPERWARE AND A COOLER BAG’ WORTH €89, COURTESY OF BUTLERS. Send your ideas to: HOMEWORKS Feedback, Writeon Ltd., 89 Tigné Street, Level 2, Sliema, SLM 3710, Malta or email: info@homeworks.com.mt
ISSUE 79
WINNER INSPIRATION IMPROVEMENT STYLE
MARY PISANI IS THE WINNER OF THIS ‘SMALLWORK METAL DESK LAMP’ DESIGNED BY BIG-GAME DESIGN STUDIO MADE FROM (ANODISED) ALUMINIUM SECTIONS COMBINED WITH CUTTING EDGE LED TECHNOLOGY FOR OPTIMAL LIGHTING, VALUED AT €95, COURTESY OF Habitat at The Atrium.
ISSUE 74 AUGUST 2015
ISSUE 79
MARY WROTE:
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‘I will be moving into a townhouse and would like some ideas on how to utilise the area under the stairs (made of Maltese stone). It has a lot of natural light that comes in from the front door. I also have the traditional Maltese tiles throughout the house.’
HOMEWORKS
ONLINE AND ON YOUR MOBILE FIND IN-DEPTH FEATURES THAT CAN’T BE FOUND IN THE MAGAZINE, UNCOVERING INSPIRING INTERIORS, ARCHITECT-DESIGNED HOMES AND THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS. YOU CAN ALSO READ ALL THE MAGAZINE ISSUES ONLINE. DON’T MISS OUT ON THE EXCITING NEW WAY TO BRING YOU MORE INSPIRATION, INNOVATION AND STYLE. VISIT
WWW.HOMEWORKS.COM.MT
NEEDS YOU! Readers are invited to submit interesting photographs and a brief description of their homes, which may be distinct in their architectural design. Of particular interest are homes that offer outstanding elements of both interior and exterior living spaces. HOMEWORKS will select the best
submissions for future features. Send a photo and information to the attention of: The Editor, info@homeworks.com.mt
GET THE BOOK! A Collection of Contemporary Maltese Interiors and Architecture Over 300 pages of vibrant and stunning photography from homes featured in HOMEWORKS. Order online on our facebook page
SOCIAL MEDIA
www.facebook.com/HOMEWORKSMALTA www.twitter.com/HOMEWORKSMalta www.pinterest.com/homeworksmalta 009
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THE EDIT NEWS
TRENDS
ADVICE
SHOPPING
PEOPLE
GLASS TOWERS These delicate hand-blown glass vases designed by Giorgio Bonaguro for Italian brand Driade are inspired by the famous domes of St Basil’s Cathedral on Moscow’s Red Square. Called the Red Square collection, the vases are ideal for small bouquets. In three sizes, they look lovely when grouped together. onepercent 011
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SNAPPED! The competition brief was simple – take an iconic Vitra chair and then photograph it in a scene from a choice of six different themes – architecture, landscape, animals, objects, abandoned buildings and people. The competition, a collaboration between Vitra, the Society of Architecture and Civil Engineering Students (SACES) Malta, and DEX Workspaces who are a specialised outlet of Vivendo Group and a local distributor of Vitra, was open to all architecture students currently studying at the University of Malta. Students entered in ten teams of three and two winning images from a total of 20 were chosen – one by a panel of Vitra judges, the other by the public who voted via the Facebook page
of DEX Workspaces. One winning image, ‘Imdendel’, was chosen by Vitra for reflecting the company’s design criteria of innovation and inspiration. Created by Jacob Bezzina , Mattea Ciantar and Joseph Farrugia, it showed a bright red Panton chair hanging alongside rusty furniture. The public vote went to ‘Illuminative Essence’, a glowing figure seated on a green Tip Ton chair, created by Edward Zammit, Bernard Bugeja, and Samuel Ciantar. You can see all the entries at www.facebook.com/DexWorkspaces. This is the fourth year of such a competition – last year architecture students were tasked with building one of four Vitra chairs out of recycled material.
GEOMETRIC GLASS
MODERN MANAGEMENT They may be controversial but mixed developments, combining residential and commercial use, are a rising trend in Malta. ‘The growth rate has been exponential and we foresee that unless there are radical changes we are bound to see more of these developments being proposed,’ says Andrew Xuereb, director of Realhouse Management, who specialise in the administration of high end properties in Malta, and who are increasingly being called in to manage such properties. The reason for the growth? ‘Economic factors, government policy and favourable market conditions. Larger buildings and rental properties need managers,’ explains Andrew. The increasing popularity of Air BnB has given local landlords the potential to offer their property to a wider international market - another growth area for property management.
Claudio Bellini is an architect as well as a product designer and his dual skills can be seen in his collection of Labirinto coffee tables which resemble building blocks of coloured glass put together to create beautifully simple but stylish coffee tables. The tables, which come shaped as cubes or rectangular prisms and in two different colour combinations, are made of thin but highly durable glass. Hidden swivel castors allow the table to be moved easily and the open compartments can also be used as book shelves. Form
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Light Fantastic
Tizio desk lamp
Talo wall light
When it comes to industry big hitters, the Italian lighting brand Artemide is one of the biggest and most renowned. Established in 1960 by fellow designers Sergio Mazza and Ernesto Gismondi (at the time Ernesto was also an associate professor of Rocket Engines for Missiles at the Milan Polytechnic!), since its launch, Artemide has become known for its innovation and design, and the manufacture of lights that combine cutting-edge modernity alongside a timeless aesthetic. Many of its lights have become classics, such as the Tizio desk lamp, designed by the German designer Richard Sapper in 1972. It fused German engineering and Italian design flair to create the first domestic lamp to use a halogen bulb which eliminated the need for wires. Beautifully sculptural, it remains
one of the world’s best-selling lights. Another classic is the Tolomeo, co-designed by Michele De Lucchi who was part of the groundbreaking Memphis movement. Its immediately recognisable shape combines cantilevered arms with a head that swivels 360°, and can be found in homes, hotels and offices around the world. Another De Lucchi design is the eye-catching Castore light, with its luminous, spherical shape that can create a stunning statement ceiling light or more simply, add style to a desk. This year’s collection includes collaborations with worldacclaimed architect Norman Foster and Neil Poulson, considered one of the most influential product designers working today, and whose designs include the elegantly stylish Talo wall light. More design classics in the making... Artemide is exclusively sold by Elektra.
Tolomeo
DO THE FLICK
The new range of tumblers from Mdina Glass introduce a chic new look for hand-blown glass - a base of clear glass with vibrant ‘flicks’ in seven different accent colour combinations. Mdina Glass
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This door can save your life
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FIRE DOORS CERTIFIEDFROM AND ACCREDITED STARTING FIRE DOORS JUST €999 IN VARIOUS STYLES AND FINISHES.
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SAN GWAKKIN ROAD, MRIEHEL, BKR 3000 SALES@ALBERTA.COM.MT | WWW.ALBERTA.COM.MT
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Take Five MIRRORS A statement mirror is a great way of styling up a blank wall. Here are five very different looks...
Multicoloured mirror, Henri Luxury Gift Boutique
Gem mirror by Tom Dixon, Auntie Lucy
Sunburst mirror, ZARA Home
From Dialma Brown, SatarianoHome
Dakota mirror, NEXT Home
SCANDI STYLE Inspired by the Nordic outdoors, the latest wallpaper range from Hooked on Walls, called Arctic Fever, uses wood, fur and snake effects to create subtle patterns that include a herringbone design, tiles and textured stripes. It’s available in a natural palette of stone, beige and brown through to sea blue, fern green and storm. SatarianoHome
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my design life
Richard England is one of Malta’s most distinguished and recognisable architects, who became internationally acclaimed when he designed the Manikata parish church more than 30 years ago. Today, he is also an accomplished writer and a poet…
and freedom of the hand-drawn image possesses a spontaneity which no computer rendered image can ever achieve. Drawing (travel or conceptual) is for me a daily activity as if to confirm Pliny the Elder’s words ‘not a day without a line’, for has it not also been written that ‘drawing sweetens the road travelled’. I take my coffee… In the mornings only or after dinner poured over a scoop of ice-cream, what the Italian’s term affocato. However, I have another, if less savoury use, for the beverage. When
Istanbul, drawn by coffee
I live in… A house originally designed by my late father in the early sixties which I have since enlarged, modified and added to. My contributions focused initially on the addition of A Garden for Myriam (below) dedicated to my wife and
muse, an-open-to-the- sky meditative stage set arena conceived to pause and distance oneself from today’s chaotic dishevelled lifestyle; a paradigm of peace, silence and serenity. Later additions include the setting up of a design studio overlooking a sun-washed walled miniature secret garden (below) dedicated to the mythological god of proportion, music, poetry and magic, Apollo.
The most useful item in my home… Undoubtedly my working tools, drawing pens and endless sheets of virgin paper. Even with the availability of today’s highly sophisticated IT tools, I firmly believe that the bridge between mind and paper is still best crossed by the hand, for the fluidity
caught unaware of the intensity of one’s surroundings and deprived of adequate drawing paper or sketch pad, felt pen (always in my pocket) delineations on café or restaurant paper napkins (which provide excellent drawing surfaces), with finger applied coffee stains for toning and shading, provide for fresh and spontaneous renderings. I could not live without… While I definitely could not live without my art and architecture, I desperately need solitude, silence and self-reflection break periods as antidotes to what I give out. Hence, my penchant for silent spaces and sacred loci in the making of architecture, for I still believe in the words of Axel Munthe that ‘the soul needs more space than the body’. Then of course, there is the love for my family, which in the words of Fredrich Nietzsche is ‘the cement which binds’ and my respect for its members who accept me for who I am and link me to the past and bridge me to the future. I jot down my ideas on… Any material I find that one can draw on; napkins, airline or railway tickets etc., in fact, on any drawing surface readily available when sketch pads are not at hand. I am inspired by… By a multitude of things, especially by all the Arts. Music, poetry, painting, prose, Greek mythology and by legendry architectural locations I have visited: Petra (a book in the making), Mount Athos, Carcassonne, Santorini (book published 2011), Queen Hatshepsut’s 1500BC Burial Tomb by architect Senmut at Deir-el-Bahri in Egypt, (top right) Assisi, San Gimignano, the open-to-the-sky ruins of the Monastery of San Galgano, other endless enchanting Italian towns and villages, (drawings published in ‘Viaggio in Italia’ 2003), and, of course, Malta’s own rich vernacular architecture and more so the unique Neolithic temple structure of Mnajdra overlooking that monadic iceberg of stone, the iconic islet of Filfla (book published in 1980) which still remains a constant and powerful source of inspiration for my poetry and art.
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My penchant for opera especially for the tenor voice has resulted in a vast collection of some 12,000 78s vinyl and CDs. Not surprising that my family have decided that I suffer from an incurable disease which they have termed ‘tenoritis’. During working sessions however, it is the music of such composers as Arvo Part, Henryk Gorecki, Stefan Micus and the Greek film music composer Eleni Karaindrou that I listen to. Literary works also provide potent sources of motivation for fervent and fertile creativity. The works of Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges, Margaret Youcenar, Ben Okri and others form inspirational fonts for my architectural works as I attempt to create in manifest built form the atmospheric ethos of the imaginary magical and mythical loci described in their writings. Poetry, especially that of the beat generation of the Sixties, Bob Kaufmann, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Kenneth Patchen and the work of others from different eras such as Pablo Neruda, Jacques Prevert and the modern Greek poets Cavafy, Seferis and Elytis. Then there are the same country’s mythological tales especially those of Narcissus and Echo, Daedalus and Icarus, Ulysses and Calypso and above all the narrative of the seraphic cantor Orpheus and his descent to the Underworld; an obsessive tale which provided the inspiration for my sixth book of poetry ‘Orpheus, His Song and His Music’ to be published later this year. There are also two books that I keep constantly at my bedside table for I believe they contain invaluable and vital lessons for life. These are Antoine de Saint Exupery’s ‘The Little Prince’ and Richard Bach’s ‘Jonathan Livingstone Seagull.’ As for paintings, my predilection is for the enigmatic canvasses of the 20th century metaphysical artist Giorgio De Chirico whose mysterious ambiguous paintings of vacant shadowhaunted piazzas have long influenced me in the making of my architecture. I must also refer to the inspiration I have received from Gio Ponti, Basil Spence and Victor Pasmore, three special personal mentors with whom I was privileged to have shared close friendships. Each meeting with these masters always proved to be a veritable and valued pedagogical lesson. My working day entails… An early morning rise, a short walk, no breakfast, a full day’s work, interrupted only by a minimal midday snack; then a short siesta and work again till 8pm, followed by a relaxing period, a tot or two of whiskey and dinner at home or at a restaurant with my wife, unless pressing work still needs to be finalised. The architect I most admire… Apart from the architect or architects responsible for the design of the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra sky-oriented, earthfocused temple complexes whose names we shall never know and the 18th dynasty Egyptian master-designer Senmut, the architect I admire most is the Mexican Luis Barragan (1902 – 1988), a poet and creator of magical and mystical loci. His architecture was always minimalist and one of absolute spiritual incantation. It seemed as if he followed
the words of Hans Hoffmann ‘the ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak’, and Alfred Hitchcock’s dictum that ‘what doesn’t add up, subtracts’. It remains difficult to write about Barragan’s works for his was an architecture that cannot be put into words. The public building I most like to visit… Difficult to choose, but two or three structures repeatedly come to mind in strong mnemonic recollections. The first is Luis Barragan’s chapel of the Capuchinas in Tlalpan, Mexico City. Within the silent walls of a late 19th century convent, the architect created one of his most emotionally powerful and palpable spaces, a sacred place where one feels silent and unspoken to; a locus which while evoking solitude, the feeling is never of emptiness or loneliness but one strangely pregnant with a potent, sacral presence. The second is the Italian artist Alberto Burri’s 1984 ‘CRETTO’ (below), a once
white concrete momento mori mantle of mortality draped over the moribund corpse of the ruins of the Sicilian town of Gibellina destroyed in the earthquake of 1968. Burri’s overlay is a powerful, if crepuscular artwork; a poignant haunting graveyard and numinous ghost town of eerie, spectral silence. The third is the previously referred to Senmut’s Deirel-Bahri temple, surely one of the incomparable monuments of ancient Egypt and a strange precursor of the later to come disciplines of classical architecture. My favourite interior design classic is… The Charles Rennie Mackintosh 1902 Ladder Back chair, a timeless geometric masterpiece, predating by decades the design iconographies of the Modern Movement. The design I’m most proud of… Never proud of any of my works …if anything a subdued form of satisfaction. There are four projects which I do, however, hold close to my heart; the Church of St Joseph of Manikata (1962-1974; below left), the Paceville Millennium Chapel (2000), the conversion of St James Cavalier to a Centre for Creativity (2000) and the 2015 Dar il-Hanin Samaritan Conference Centre (below right) and Meditation Garden at Santa Venera which has just won the 2016 European International Architecture Award. However, if one were to insist on my naming the design I am most
proud of; my answer would definitely be ‘my next one’! The everyday item that is a genius design is… Might that not be the light bulb? Economical, humble, simple, functionally and so essential that we could not live without it. 019
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Acoustic System
The “Diamante” collection is an innovative acoustic system that re-interprets the concept of modularity and customization: individual felt upholstered panels (size 120x60 cm) can be assembled together to create endless decorative compositions, thus providing maximum creative freedom.
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G PLAN: MADE IN MALTA In the world of interior design G Plan is an iconic name, its furniture, when launched, breaking the mould by being smart, well-crafted and affordable, and with collections that could be put together over time – a novel concept back in the 1950s and 60s. The popularity of the furniture made its makers, E Gomme in England, one of the country’s largest and most profitable furniture companies - and it also played a crucial role in Malta’s manufacturing industry when, in the Sixties, local firm Joinwell was given the licence to make G Plan furniture in Malta, the only country outside the UK to be able to do so. ‘When Joinwell was given the licence to make G Plan furniture it kick-started Malta’s industrial design and furniture manufacturing industry,’ says Alexandra Pace, co-director at the contemporary arty space Blitz who, along with interior designer Violet Kulewska, is a curator of a new exhibition, ‘G Plan: Made in Malta’ which examines the popularity of the furniture in the context of Malta’s social and industrial history. ‘The machinery to make the furniture was here, and the blueprints and cuttings lists were sent over. Local raw materials as well as those that were imported, were used to make the designs which became very popular. G Plan became a staple of domestic life; anyone who grew up here in the 50s, 60s and 70s would have grown up with pieces in their home, as I did. It was extremely influential during that time also, impacting on the style of what other manufacturers were making, all of which made Malta’s manufacturing industry buoyant. ‘Although in the past the term “Made in Malta” may have implied inferiority to some, I feel it is something we should be proud of especially in the context of Malta’s role in the manufacture of the internationally famous G Plan brand. While nostalgia has a way of reshaping our attachment and memory of objects that surround us, there is no denying the craftsmanship that this furniture was built with.’ With the current trend for retro style furniture, the original G Plan designs are once again sought after (they are no longer made or sold by Joinwell, and the original company in the UK was sold when the Gomme family retired from the business) and in putting together the exhibition, Alexandra and Violet gathered privately owned pieces of G Plan furniture as well as delving into Joinwell’s archives. G Plan: Made in Malta is on at Blitz until 28 October. thisisblitz.com
ART ATTACK Whether you need paints, pencils, chalk pastels, paper, or simply want to get into the current colouring for grown-ups craze, everything you need is just a click away. VGB Art, Malta’s leading art supplier, has just launched an online art shop and with different delivery options, including prime pick-up points, getting your hands on artist materials has never been easier. As well as materials, the easy-to-navigate website, also has information on art courses and events. vgbart.com.mt 021
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artemide.com
Mill Street, Qormi | elektra.com.mt | Tel: 2546 3000 | info@elektra.com.mt
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MEET THE CREATIVES
ROBERTO TWERASER THE DESIGNER MAKER BEHIND THE STRIKING SALT AND MÉLANGE LIGHTS, BOTH OF WHICH GIVE A MODERN TWIST ON THE TRADITIONAL...
How did you come to be a product designer? From an early age I was fascinated with creating things. After starting my higher national diploma and later my degree at the MCAST Institute of Art and Design, I fell in love with the world of design, in particular product design - there’s something about constantly trying to solve a never-ending puzzle that, hopefully, results in creating a product that excites me and that I can call my own. The constant mix of emotions from those countless times you want to throw everything out the window to the pure joy you get when your project is progressing well, or even, complete. What’s it like to be a product designer in Malta? Product design is in itself a huge task, but being on an island where your options are limited makes everything so much so more complicated. Until recently I juggled a full-time job in a furnishings company and a part-time job bar-tendering, simply to fund my design work. As Malta is an island,
materials need to be imported which makes the costs higher and selling them internationally is costly too, and the manufacturing process is hard as it is difficult to find people who understand what you want to do. But as my father always says, ‘If it were easy, everybody would do it.’ Tell us about your work… So far my projects have been lights and there is something about them that does fascinate me, although I do not intend to design just lights. The salt lamps were first developed as my thesis project. The idea was to use salt, one of the few natural resources our country has, to create something unique. To make them, salt is mixed with synthetic binder which is placed into a series of plaster moulds; once dry they are hand-finished, all of which takes about a week. The most time-consuming part is the casting as you have to wait for each section to cure well before you move on to the next, so casting alone can take up to 4-5 days, which is why I usually have between four to six lamps
on the go at the one time. After casting comes sanding, sealing and drilling of all the fittings. Although I sold many more internationally than here, Salt can be found in a number of commercial and residential places in Malta such as the Rock Salt restaurant in Sliema and Sotheby’s. Mélange is a reinterpretation of the historical Benjamin light also known as the Barn light, which one finds hanging in old warehouses and barns, combined with the pattern of traditional cement tiles that are found all over Malta. Made from cement, there’s a sharp contrast between the lamps industrial outer look and its soft elegant inner one. What’s next? Finish my current project, a desk lamp, and then crowdfund it so I can get it manufactured. Then one morning I will wake up with a new idea – my ideas always come to me in the middle of the night - and the whole process will start all over again! robertotweraser.com 023
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WHAT MAKES THE
PERFECT HOME? THE HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, WHERE WE RELAX AND BE OURSELVES. BUT WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE PERFECT SPACE FOR YOU? WE ASKED SOME OF MALTA’S MOST CREATIVE NAMES TO ANSWER THE QUESTION….
RORY APAP BROWN Interior Architect, Architecture Project
Recipe for perfection - Ingredients • One site perfectly located for your requirements. • A clear understanding of your own ambitions, aspirations, dislikes, needs and quirks • One budget proportionate to the above aspirations. • One design professional to combine all of the above. • A number of competent and compassionate contractors to understand the scope and carry out the works to perfection. Method • Carefully choose your site, bearing in mind aspects such as location, orientation, suitability for your needs and investment. • Once the site is chosen, compile your brief always bearing in mind the site, your requirements, aspirations and the budget. • Now that you have prepped the site, brief and budget you will need to select a design professional to combine these ingredients. This process will take time, and before you move onto the next step you need to leave this to simmer till it reaches perfection. • Once the design is set, you will need to add the contractors in the correct measures and sequence to avoid spoiling the recipe. You will need to set aside time for this process, as perfection takes time and care. • When the ingredients have come together and you are happy with the result, gently remove it from the pan. • Garnish with a few personal touches and enjoy. Final note The final result will vary every time, depending on the quality of the ingredients. However given the right mix and components the result will be perfect and to your taste.
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ALAN DEBATTISTA
Creative And Managing Director, Chillischilli ‘To some, the criteria which defines a perfect home might include such variables as the level of comfort, luxury, functionality and individuality. To the majority of us, however, it is usually a combination of all these factors. ‘It is for this reason that when one is designing the ideal dwelling for themselves, one must keep in mind that this is the space which belongs entirely to them. It is the individual’s territory and must be engineered in such a way to offer the greatest sense of well-being. ‘It follows that the perfect home needs to be personalised, incorporating all that is specific to the owner. One would aim to create the proper ambience to suit their own taste. This inevitably leads to the need for a proper choice of furnishings which will adorn the area. ‘Customising a home according to one’s specific needs, rather than opting to fill a space with pre-fabricated available furniture for example, will enable owner to maximise the use of space, enhancing the room, making it functional and even allowing them to add their own quirky touch reflecting their personality throughout. ‘In essence, the concept of a perfect home is subjective to the character of the individual to whom that house belongs.’
SEF FARRUGIA Designer
‘I believe that the spaces we choose to live in must cater to our needs but also it must always make you feel welcome and comfortable. I do not see a point in having a beautiful home and a beautiful space which can not be used, touched or lived in… The idea of a perfect home, is one which the people, who live in it, can feel familiar and welcome by it. I would say ‘the perfect home’ is when the domestic space clearly reflects the individual’s personality and where one could see a clear link between both the home and the owner. There is no particular look one must follow, however, one should always keep in mind function, comfort and aesthetic, as they all have to work together. But as long as one goes with what works for them and what reflects their lifestyle, ‘the perfect home’ will come automatically. ‘I think our homes should always have a foundation, which can accommodate changes so while furniture may stay the same, accessories such as cushions may change – one should always have fun when it comes to those extra things that make a home look complete.’
JANICE FIORENTINO
CARLO SCHEMBRI
‘Homes are where we spend a substantial part of our lives, be it alone, or in the company of other humans or pets. “Perfection” is a very subjective and loosely used term, however a detailed brief based on the client’s lifestyle, in-depth study of the space being designed and the use of adequate materials can get you quite close to it. These parameters vary greatly from one project to the other, and from one client to the other. A home should cater for the needs and the lifestyle of each individual living in the household both in the short and in the long term. It is then the architect’s skill to interpret the clients’ brief achieving the ideal flows and desired overall design. ‘In general, the relation between indoors and outdoors and the intake of natural light are of paramount importance, whilst the differentiation, link and balance between the entertainment areas and the private retreat zones are essential components which impact the end-product and those living within. Lifestyles and circumstances are set to change too, and hence a certain degree of flexibility, comfort and a practical timeless design approach may help keeping you in love with your homes for more years down the line.’
‘A perfect home is the place where one is comfortable enough to live the moment. It should reflect you and anyone who lives in it, not the designer, nor the architect. It should have no particular look as such. It has to be led by user, whether that be ego-motivated, the desire for tranquility or otherwise. Emotional design plays a very important role. All the rooms are dependent on the end user, being it a couple, the son, or the dog.’
Architect
Architectural Designer
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THE EDIT HW FROM ONCE BEING CONTAINED IN JUST ONE, ALBEIT ENORMOUS, HALL, TODAY’S LONDON’S DESIGN FESTIVAL (LDF), HELD OVER NINE DAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER, TAKES OVER THE ENTIRE CITY WITH OUTDOOR ART INSTALLATIONS, PRODUCT LAUNCHES AND DESIGNER TALKS. HERE’S A – COLOURFUL - FLAVOUR OF WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR…
ROLL UP, ROLL UP!
Dutch designer Marcel Wanders’ latest collection for Alessi, launched at the department store Harrods, features a bright and cheery circus theme. Five of the products are limited editions of 999 pieces, and are based on popular circus characters such as The Strongman, Marcello, (pictured), which is a nutcracker shaped like a strongman lifting weights; turn his dumbbells and his boots are forced down onto the nut. The rest of the collection, 29 pieces of tableware and kitchen products such as bowls, wine coolers and containers, are decorated in traditional circus patterns and in colours of yellow, red, black, white, gold and silver.
MEMPHIS CROSSING
The love of the Memphis movement’s colours and patterns could be seen in designer Camille Walala’s design for a pedestrian crossing. Commissioned by Bankside and Transport to London, she was asked to make the experience of crossing a road more engaging.She certainly succeeded.
BLACK SEA MAKE MINE A MINI
For the last 45 years the smaller version of Verner Panton’s iconic Panthella table lamp has been only available in white but thanks to the popularity of vintage designs, makers Louis Poulsen launched the Panthella Mini in a range of colours drawn from Panton’s work. With a diameter of 250 millimetres instead of the standard 400-millimetre, the Mini comes with a metal shade which allows for the entire lamp to be lit – as Panton wanted when he originally designed the lamp in 1971, but there was not the technology to do it. The lamp comes in yellow, orange, red, pink, mauve, blue and green. Acrylic versions are available in opal, as well as black and white.
French designer Mathieu Lehanneur installed a large piece of sculpted black marble in the Victoria & Albert Museum. A contrast to the surrounding gilt, the marble was designed to create a reflective surface that resembled waves on the sea. The ocean’s movements were captured using sophisticated 3D software developed for the film industry, the single block of marble then machined before being hand-polished. ‘The piece doesn’t move, but the reflection of light on the polished marble makes it feel like a real sea,’ said Lehanneur. ‘The idea is to bring a piece of the water to a place where there is none, to create a contemplative experience.’ The installation is the second in his much-talked about Liquid Marble series – Lehanneur previously installed a large piece of green marble, resembling a rippling pool, in the courtyard of a chateau. 027
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in search of
perfection A COLLECTION OF CERAMICS BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED TO CONTAIN AND PROTECT THE CONTENTS WITHIN… Art direction & styling: Jennifer Jo Barth Photographer: Tonio Lombardi Special thanks: Ceramika Maltija
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Unglazed ceramics at Ceramika Maltija 029
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Top to Bottom: White and turquoise 1930’s original lamp base, Ceramika Maltija 1950’s original Dolphin lamp base by Sheila Mitchell, Ceramika Maltija White object, handmade by Andrea Pullicino Blue and white bowl, Habitat
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This is not just a shower. This is my stage. My stadium. My arena. Thousands stand in front of me screaming my name and I hold them in the palm of my hand. I am the star and they love me.
Choose wisely.
Vivo Bathrooms & Ceramics Ltd, Geronimo Abos Street, Iklin vivo.com.mt | facebook.com /vivobathrooms
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BESPOKE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES Established in 2005, Realhouse is a boutique company with over a decade of experience in providing bespoke commercial and residential property management services. Our commercial and residential property management portfolio consists of a number of private homes and letting properties, commercial properties and residential buildings. This strengthens our capacity and ability to provide a high level of service across the board. Our dedicated team provides advice on an array of services that range from facilities management all the way to bespoke concierge services. At Realhouse we pride ourselves on our innovative, integrated approach to property management and that’s why we are confident that we can offer you the best custom solutions that suit your needs.
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Whether a renovation or a new-build, the homes over the next 24 pages showcase the vision and talent of architects. Over the page CVC Architecture took an old, dark hotch-potch of a house and transformed it into a stunning family home that works the outside as well as the inside. On page 042, MJMDA was inspired by a carved block of limestone to create a striking new home, the inside made special by a sculptural staircase, and on page 050 (X,Y,Z) Architecture and Design took a typical Maltese home and transformed it into an elegant contemporary home for a young couple.
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The door in aquamarine is complemented by the Maltese-style balcony in the same colour which was created by CVC for the homeowner who loved the idea of having one. It gives no hint of the expansive contemporary home within
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A VERY MODERN MAKEOVER THE POTENTIAL WAS OBVIOUS BUT IT TOOK CAREFUL THOUGHT AND INSPIRED DESIGN TO TURN A SPRAWLING OLD MALTESE HOUSE INTO A QUINTESSENTIAL MODERN FAMILY HOME Architects: CVC Architecture Photography: Alan Carville Words: Rachel Loos
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aking a run-down old house and bringing it into the 21st century is often a journey into the unknown as peeling away old layers invariably reveals a surprise – and one that’s not always welcome. That was certainly the case with this home, an old, large and sprawling two-storey house that CVC Architecture was commissioned to turn from a rather messy hotch-potch of styles into a stylish yet functional contemporary home for a family of five. With a deadline of 12 months and a budget that was always front-of-mind, there wasn’t much room for manoeuvre, so the discovery that some of the home’s sewage pipes led absolutely nowhere was definitely a nasty one. ‘It was one of the biggest challenges we faced,’ says Ian Critien of CVC Architecture. ‘ We had to
find a way to re-direct the sewerage to eventually meet up with the existing underground pipes so we could finally direct it to where it had to go. Understanding how it all worked was quite a job and there were times when we were working without knowing what was to come. But we succeeded. Unforeseen problems, though, are not uncommon in renovations like this which is what makes them such a challenge – but they also give a great sense of satisfaction at the end too.’ Renovating this house focussed on keeping its sense of history and maintaining traditional architectural features whilst at the same time giving it the modern must-haves of a light and airy feel and good-sized living space, as well as reducing as much as possible the humidity issues, the plague of all old buildings.
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Alfresco life: the kitchen island which extends from the inside out is made form marine plywood for a warm grain; the worktop is white quartz. On the upper floor the iroko screen adds design interest and works with the wood of the island
Corridor: original to the house, the corridor connects the property’s two living sections. The green of the traditionally patterned Maltese tiles nicely links it to the outside
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Marble beauty: the top of the outdoor dining table is made from a slab of marble sourced by the homeowner. CVC created the base support
A U-shaped house that hugged the garden, a cohesive exterior view was also crucial to giving the house a smart, modern finish. The first two objectives were achieved by reconfiguring the rooms and opening the house up to the large walled garden with its trees and flowering bougainvillea. The dark and cave-like entrance hall was banished by transforming the space into a double height void with the removal of the ceiling and furthermore, large openings were created on both the ground level and upper levels to bring daylight into the home and also allow the garden to be spied as soon as one enters the house, immediately setting the scene. On entering one now enjoys a luxurious feeling of space. An existing corridor linking both wings of the house was completely remodelled. Upstairs, old accretions were demolished restoring order to the façade, floor levels re-arranged to avoid long flights of steps, and small odd shaped windows made way for a large picture window that completely opens up the space, the
Kitchen: various structural alterations were made to enlarge the room considerably and an original arch worked in, the pale stone working well with the glossy white of the lacquered kitchen 037
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Garden: With established trees and vines and surrounded by old walls, the garden has a lovely tranquil feel. CVC Architecture altered the lines of the existing pool making it more square so it worked with the aesthetic of the house
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‘Renovating this house focussed on keeping its sense of history and maintaining traditional architectural features whilst also giving it a light and airy feel‘
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Dining room: the formal dining room is given a spacious feel with the high ceiling, the combination of Maltese stone and chandelier, creating a striking mix of old and new. Just beyond, is a newly constructed wine cellar. Floor to ceiling glass allows continuity from dining area to the temperature controlled room
clean white finish set off by a smart slatted screen of iroko wood that can be completely pulled across. Downstairs, the original large arched windows and doors highlight the garden, the green of the outside picked up by the traditional Maltese patterned tiles, nicely linking the two. The kitchen is sleekly modern but CVC retained the original arch of Maltese stone as well as timber beams and flagstone ceilings, working these into the plans to create a seamless old/new look. A striking feature of this area is the kitchen
island which extends out into the garden through the glazed extension, creating a flow between the two spaces that comes into play when the family is dining and entertaining alfresco. A fourth bedroom was created by adding an extension, in the shape of a white cube, above the existing living room which is in original Maltese stone. ‘We decided against doing the extension in stone because it would have looked really heavy extending the volume vertically,’ says Ian. ‘Also, the stone colour would have varied considerably. It has worked
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Living room: in an old part of the house, it features the original Maltese stone walls; the beams and ceiling have been painted white to keep it feeling light
Master bedroom: the walls have been given subtle texture with painted stonework and wallpaper. Behind the green door is the ensuite bathroom
Ensuite bathroom: made for two with not just a double vanity but also a double shower. A gilt mirror adds a decorative touch that helps make the room feel more luxurious
well as a stark contemporary addition to this side of the house, also incorporating a balcony accessed from the bedroom overlooking the pool area.’ Upstairs, the inside was remodelled to create, on one side of the house, a large master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, as well as a study that leads onto a balcony. From here, the first floor now flows easily across a timber bridge to the other side of the house where the three children’s rooms are found.
All services in the house were re-done, the old floor at ground level removed completely to install a waterproof membrane and, in the kitchen and all bathrooms, underfloor heating installed, before being re-tiled. Many of the features were custom-designed and made, such as the kitchen island, various storage solutions and upstairs, the walk-in wardrobe. Today, it is a wonderfully spacious house that is being used to its full potential as a family home. ‘Life and living,’ says Ian. ‘That’s what it is all about.’ 041
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With an almost unbroken facade, the front of the house looks very different to the back 042
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Sculptured Definition
WITH ITS STRIKING SHAPE AND CENTREPIECE STAIRCASE, THIS NEW-BUILD HOUSE IS A FAMILY HOUSE WITH A DIFFERENCE…. Architects: MJMDA Photography: Alan Carville, Matthew J. Mercieca, Peter Mark Mercieca Words: Rachel Loos
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culpture is strong in this modern home. The inspiration for the exterior was a carved block of limestone and this can be seen in the play between dark and light, and flat and indented; inside, concrete stairs encased in glass rise statuesque through the house creating a stunning centrepiece. The overall effect is a striking contemporary look that has been softened with warm materials and finishes to create a spacious and comfortable family home. ‘The owners liked the idea of traditional limestone so we created a contemporary interpretation of it,’ explains Matthew Mercieca of MJMDA. ‘The facade is clad in a high-tech, large format, travertinelike slim tile which looks good but is also energy efficient and easy to clean, and the blue/grey rendered recesses emphasise the singular volume of the building. The permeability of this volume, or absence of it, was the basis of the design concept called Solid Porosity. The house is south-facing to the street so there it is one blank wall with two openings. East-facing, onto the garden, where there is privacy and less glare, we have opened out the house with glass.’ 043
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‘The inspiration for the exterior was a carved block of limestone and this can be seen in the play between dark and light, and flat and indented’
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Exterior view: The sculptural shape of the home and the play of dark and light is seen to stunning effect from the back garden
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Living room: zoned by the parquet floor is the living area. The sheer curtains stylishly screen the light that pours through the floor-to-ceiling apertures, and the herringbone rug works beautifully with the shadows. The television is cleverly suspended for an uncluttered look. A In the entrace hall (top left), the cabinets give storage and also lead into a downstairs bathroom. Through the glass opposite, the concrete stairs can be seen. Above right, a corner of the living room with a lacquered cabinet for extra storage 046
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SPACES HW The house is semi-detached - on the other side of the main wall is another home, also designed by MJMDA. ‘Two sisters and their husbands came to us to create a house for each of them,’ explains Matthew. ‘They needed to be sideby-side, and of an equivalent similar initial aesthetic, so we needed a common denominator regarding how to approach the design.’ The end result is two properties which on the outside have a similar aesthetic but inside diverge to take into account the personal taste of its owners. This home is an excellently balanced open-plan space that makes the most of the relatively compact footprint. The entrance hall is flanked by a bank of floor-to-ceiling storage on one side but the space doesn’t feel restricted thanks to the home’s showpiece - a glass divisor wall with its view of the stairs and, beyond, through another smoky partition glass wall, the kitchen. From above, a skylight in the double height ceiling floods the space, giving it focus and keeping it bright. The entrance also directs the eye to a point in the distance, either up to the sky or towards the garden. The wall of storage opens out from closed cupboards into a bookcase and then a pair of slim horizontal lacquered units as the corridor evolves into the sitting room that is part of a larger open-plan space that also includes the dining area and kitchen. Here floor-to-ceiling windows apertures that lead on to a balcony accentuate the views to the outside. A parquet floor zones the sitting room, moving into a pale grey resin for the more functional dining and kitchen area. Dining area: a vintage dining table, bought by the homeowners, was co-ordinated into the scheme by MJMDA, the modern chairs in pale leather pulling the look together. Just seen, in grey, is the main structural element that sits in the middle of the open plan space. It also hides a dumb waiter that allows groceries to be unloaded in the garage and easily delivered to the main living area
Kitchen: on a smooth resin floor is the contemporary kitchen in neutral colours and a Corian worktop, the space warmed by a timber wall of units. The stairs can be seen through the smoky glass wall
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Stairs: the concrete stairs rise through the centre of the house, giving it a modern, sculptural feel
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Peter Mark Mercieca
Bedroom: a desk area is contained within the master bedroom which has lovely views to the sea
Ensuite bathroom: more than just a bathroom, this space contains a wall of wardrobe space as well as a small lounge area. The shower, too, has views of the sea
In the kitchen, where the view of the concrete stairs gives the space real character, the coolness of Corian is warmed by a wall of timber units. Upstairs, the master bedroom leads out onto an upper balcony that spans the entire length of this side of the house. Another door leads into a walk-in wardrobe cum bathroom where taking a shower comes with a view of the sea. Also on this floor are two more bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside, there are significant areas of decking around the pool that reflect the symmetry of the building, but beyond is the freshness of green with lawn as well as planters throughout. A house that fits well in every way. 049
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Exterior: the shell of the building was kept but given a modern makeover
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A FLAIR FOR THE DRAMATIC TAKE A MONOCHROME PALETTE AND ADD IN THE WARMTH OF WOOD AND THE RICHNESS OF BRASS ALONG WITH STRIKING DESIGN TOUCHES AND THE RESULT IS ONE YOUNG COUPLE’S DREAM HOME… Architect: (X,Y,Z) ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN Photos: Alan Carville Words: Rachel Loos
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Living room: the TV sits on a minimal custom-made unit with natural oak wall panelling which also conceals the door that leads to the garage. The carpentry in the apartment was done by ChillisChilli
H
aving lived in spacious homes as children, but started out their married life in a small semibasement maisonette, the young couple who bought this property were sure about what they wanted from their new home. ‘We both agreed that we are the kind of people that need space and natural light. We both work hard and coming home to a small and cluttered place was not good for us.’ To help them create their dream home, the couple called in (X,Y,Z) Architecture & Design. The first step in the transformation was gutting the inside and the addition of large-span steel beams to give support. Then the re-modelling began. The young couple liked the idea of a minimal look of monochrome and natural materials but at the same time, the richness of gold. The design team from (X,Y,Z) interpreted this with a scheme that teamed black and white with details of polished brass. A custom-designed eight-seater dining table, for example, is in black granite with brass details, and emerges dramatically out from the kitchen island to break the straight lines of what was the corridor. The pendant lights over the dining table in eyecatching triangular and circular shapes also add a strong metallic accent.
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‘The young couple liked the minimal look of monochrome and natural materials but with the richness of gold’
Stairs: black oak panels frame white marble stairs for a beautifully modern staircase. Lights, by Foscarini, hang low adding to the drama
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Kitchen/diner: a wall of white cabinets along with a smart island create a chic, streamlined look. A striking contrast is the dining table with its eye-catching brass Plane lights bt Tom Dixon
Keeping things neat: the bank of white units hides away accessories, groceries as well as the white goods
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Bedroom (above): a monochrome palette combined with texture create a cosy bedroom. The ensuite bathroom (below left) has smart slate basins while the family bathroom (below right) is in travertine.
The living room is divided from the kitchen by a threesided peninsula wood burning fireplace that warms up the entire space in winter and is done out in darker colours and natural woods to create a cocoon within the large space. Leading the way to the first floor are sleek black oak panels that form a dramatic yet elegant staircase railing which along with the darkly-painted stairwell enhances the natural beauty of the white marble slabs. Upstairs, the monochrome look is continued with a palette of grey and black that extends into the master bedroom and ensuite bathroom.
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The guest bathroom with the Volacas marble basin connects to the pool
The outside was made new too. While the existing shell of the building was retained but with added insulation, it was redone as a white cube with contrasting black apertures that emphasised its geometry. The finishing touch is a pool in the garden, which in black and surrounded by black slate, is a similar chic contrast to the white of the building. Today, the young couple have the house they wished for and find it impossible to choose their favourite area. ‘The pool area is fantastic in the hot summer days, whereas the living area is ideal for snuggling whilst enjoying that movie night experience; our huge kitchen is ideal for holding dinners and entertaining guests, and our bedroom is very cosy and intimate. Deciding on only one is simply not enough.’ 056
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SHOP Check out the new, wide range of studio porcelain at HENRI, including a selection of exquisitely decorated teapots, cups, mugs, bowls, plates and more with bold Asian flowers and intricate patterns. Starting from just €178 and available from HENRI Luxury Gift Boutique, Pjazza Tigné & Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Tel: 2010 6306. www.henri.com.mt / facebook/henrimalta
Beautifully crafted, artistic sculptured figures and figurines that will catch the eye, available now at HENRI. Ranging in styles and sizes and starting from just €85, they make unique gift ideas for him, for her or for yourself. HENRI Luxury Gift Boutique outlets: Pjazza Tigné & Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Tel: 2010 6306. www.henri.com.mt or facebook/henrimalta
Mantra Ceiling mounted light. Illuminate and fit out spaces with low height, places where you wish the illumination to be discreet and not very bulky using LED technology that’s tested and guaranteed. Farrugia Lighting and Interiors, Dun Karm Xerri Street, Iklin. Tel: 2141 9111. www.farrugia.com.mt
Bedroom collection - Includes large six-door wardrobes (L296 x 65 x 246H) a choice of chest of drawers and bedside tables and a selection of beds, ranging from wrought iron to wooden bedsteads with storage. Prices from €4344. GrannySmithShop Furniture & Interiors. 85,Triq San Pawl, Naxxar. Tel: 2141 8984. www.grannysmithshop.com. See us on facebook.
Preziosa is a fine porcelain stoneware collection available in various configurations and finishes. Available in lux and matt versions, Preziosa offers the charm of natural and polished marble and Italian elegance with a strong and durable material. A collection that offers endless creative options giving beauty to spaces. At Carini Stores Ltd., Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp, St. Venera. Tel: 2144 0202. www.carinibathrooms.com
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Check out the Nero Lattice lanterns by Mdina Glass. They look amazing indoors or out and fantastic during the day, as light shines through the coloured glass, and at night when lit with a candle inside. Nero Lattice lanterns start at €116 and are available at Mdina Glass outlets and online at mdinaglass.com.mt. Tel: 2141 5786. onlinesales@mdinaglass.com.mt. Follow at facebook. com/mdinaglass
Mdina Glass produces a range of stunning handmade bowls in various sizes and colours that are simply perfect for indoor and outdoor living. Lifestyle Range bowls start at €18 and are available at Mdina Glass outlets and online at mdinaglass.com.mt. Tel: 2141 5786. onlinesales@ mdinaglass.com.mt. Follow at facebook.com/mdinaglass
AVA suspension lamp by Fabasluce – Italy. Price: €174. Exclusively available at VCT Ltd, Triq Ponsomby, Mosta Tel: 21432571 / 21436186. info@vct.com.mt web www.vct.com.mt
Kerry suspension lamp by Fabasluce - Italy. Price €335. Exclusively available at VCT Ltd, Triq Ponsomby, Mosta Tel: 21432571 / 21436186. info@vct. com.mt web www.vct. com.mt
The Bomann A Class Eco Vac, with low energy consumption. The class A floor vacuum cleaner uses only 700W, but doesn’t compromise on power. Backed by German technology, it’s equipped with electronic power adjustment, 2 HEPA filters, bagless filter technology and an easy to empty transparent dust collecting container. Find it at leading outlets across Malta and Gozo or buy online at www.myshopmalta.com
The KRUPS fully auto bean to cup coffee system. Fast and easy to use for the best tasting espresso, cappuccino and lattés - 15 bar, 1450W, removable 1.7 litre water tank, 260g bean container, metallic conical grinder, LCD display, black piano lacquer and automatic cleaning program. A simple but durable machine Find it at leading outlets across Malta and Gozo or buy online at www. myshopmalta.com
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HW LIVING & DINING
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LIVING & DINING SPECIAL The past two decades has seen the home’s main living space transformed. Where once the living, dining and kitchen were designed as individual rooms, today the trend is for open-plan living where all three spaces are contained in one large room with ‘zones’ for each activity. This spacious area has a dual function – as a retreat from the world outside but at other times, a stylish entertaining space. This means a successful living and dining area needs furniture and accessories that create a comforting and relaxing feel but also have a real sense of style, plus they need to work together. How do you do it? Over the next 10 pages we give you the essentials for creating your ideal living and dining space….
Indivi sofa, Milano table and Adelaide chairs with the Ursus rug all by BoConcept
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1.
THE STYLISH SOFA 2.
It’s the most important piece of furniture in the room and the one that will get the most use so take the time to make sure it’s the right one. How do you choose? Don’t buy one that’s too big for the room – not only are you likely to struggle to actually get it in, it will make the room feel too small. If you have a compact living area, choose one with a low-back as it will help accentuate the size of a room. Corner sofas are a great all-in-one solution for zoning a living space in an open-plan area. If you don’t have a spare bedroom, choose a sofabed. The most long-lasting sofas are made from a hardwood frame, and feather-wrapped foam is the most comfortable for seats as this combines the softness of feathers with the firm support of foam.
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1. DESIREE divani – Satariano 2. Hampton corner sofa, at BoConcept 3. Alameda sofa by Calligaris, at Ideacasa 4. Cambré sofa by Natuzzi, at Form 5. Glider sofa designed by Ron Arad for Moroso, at Casanova 6. Sydney sofa by Poliform, at onepercent 7. Royal by Loiudic&d, at Carmelo Delia
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THE ELEGANT TABLE After the sofa, the dining table is the other large piece of furniture to impact your space so you need to plan it in with the rest of the furniture and accessories. The size you choose depends entirely on the space you have – make sure you have about 120cm between the table and wall or nearby furniture, so you can move around easily. Extending tables are an obvious choice if you have the space to occasionally stretch to a larger size when entertaining. You can squeeze more people around a round or oval table, and glass tables are also good for a small space as they create a less cluttered look. ‘Big Table’ by Bonaldo for Natuzzi, at Form
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1. Hex table in wood and glass by Natuzzi, at Form 2. HECTOR in wood effect and glass, by Andrea Lucatello for Flai, at Casanova 3. Lam wood and metal dining table by Calligaris, at Ideacasa 4. Milano extendable table and in walnut and burnished steel with Nico chairs, by BoConcept 5. Torino table in matt lacquer and Adelaide chairs, by BoConcept 6. Long Island table in black nickel and grey tempered glass by Rimadesio, at Form
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Laminate Flooring
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FP 11 Bathroom bathroom design Design.indd FP.indd 1 66
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LIVING & DINING HW
THE ACCENT CHAIR The accent chair - one that offers a style contrast to the main furniture piece - is a big trend, and it’s great for adding an energising dynamic to a room. In the living room, choose one or a pair of armchairs in a different shape and colour to your sofa (link the accent colour through cushions on the sofa or a rug or artwork). Similarly, with a dining table, chairs in a different material, colour or shape give a more personalised feel. A mix of different vintage styles can also look great. 1.
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1. Désirée WING, at Satariano Home 2. Swing chair by Nicoletti Home, at RLiving 3. Daborn chair by Habitat, at Atrium 4. Fusion chair, at BoConcept 5. Vegetal chair by Vitra, at Ideacasa 6. Patchwork chair and matching footstool, at Granny Smith 7. Twist chair by Imperial Line, at Form 8. Retro chair by Imperial Line, at Form
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FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR HOME AGAIN JUST ADD
For inspiring ideas on how to Show Your Home Some Love go to dulux.co.uk Download our Dulux Visualizer App or visit our Dulux Colour Centres
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COOL COFFEE TABLE
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A coffee table focusses a living area as well as being a great way of introducing a different material to the space, whether that be the warmth of wood, the transparency of glass or metallic sheen. If you want to mix in a bit of vintage, the coffee table is the perfect choice. In a small space, go for side-tables (which can also be used as a small-scale coffee table).
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Haik side table by Pianca, at onepercent Bornholm coffee table, at BoConcept Dakota table by Calligaris, at Ideacasa Viavai coffee tables by Natuzzi, at Form ‹Wire Black› side tables by KARE, at Atrium TAPS coffee table, by JYSK
6.
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TEXTURE HW
SOFTLY DOES IT
1.
The sense of touch is key to giving a home a warm, comfortable and comforting feel and so texture, in particular rugs and cushions, are a must. They also help you coodinate colours in a room and in an open-plan living space, a rug is an easy way to define a lounging or dining area. When choosing a rug, make sure it’s large enough to comfortably cover the area you need it to – otherwise it will make the room look unbalanced. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Cushions by BoConcept Cushions from ZARA Home Cushions from Atrium Kaleidescope range of rugs from Brink & Campman, at core Dimas rug by BoConcept Harlequin rug at Malta Rugs Marocco rug by Calligaris, at Ideacasa
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LIGHT UP You need a mix of lighting to create the right ambience in a room. A statement pendant light, whether a chandelier or a more modern design, adds real style and drama. Hung low over a table, a pendant also helps defines the eating space in an open-plan room. You also need softer, less bright lighting that creates a cosier mood – achieve this with table and floor lamps spaced evenly throughout the room. Then there’s task lighting such as table light placed on a side table by an armchair or a floor lamp with an angled shade beside a sofa.
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1. Fade by Tom Dixon, at Auntie Lucy (opening soon) 2. Nordica floor lamp, at Farrugia Lighting 3. Giant LED by Calex, at VCT 4. Akari collection, design classics by Isamu Noguchi for Vitra, at Ideacasa 5. Alpine tripod light, at Next Home 6. Mr Magoo by Linea Light, at Spoton
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HW LIVING & DINING
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Alya aluminium and LED pendant light by Nemo, at LDS Ray 5 Pendant lamp by FLOS, at Elektra Thesis wire, glass diffusers and copper pendant light, at ESS Sparks modular lighting system, at GLOW Henry 4434 by Toscot, at Elektra Castore light globe pendant by Artemide, at Elektra Ola Linear Suspension in metal and glass by Masiero, at LDS String lights by FLOS, at Elektra
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2.
INTEGRATE THE TV Now that the novelty of flat screen TVs has worn off, they are no longer the focus of a room. Instead integrate them into the living room space either through a media unit which surrounds the television with shelves or DIY the same effect yourself. A TV hung above a sideboard or chest of drawers and part of a gallery wall of pictures and/or photos is another chic idea.
1. Brianza by Sangiacomo, at Satariano Home 2. Kubika by Natuzzi, at Form 3. Copenhagen Wall System, at BoConcept 4. Biblioteca at Distinct Home
3.
ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH A living space needs those little individual additions to bring it to life and make it feel truly stylish but also comfortable – think art works, decorative bowls and vases, books on shelves, house plants, personal photos. Don’t worry if it’s on trend – the most important criteria is that you like it! 1. Monkey lamps by Seletti, at Camilleri Paris Mode 2. Gold scalloped vase by Next Home 3. Mediator dove in glass by Iittala, at core 4. Rina Menardi bowls and vases, at Camilleri Paris Mode 5. Cog Tealight Family by Tom Dixon, at Auntie Lucy (opening soon) 6. Blue Vase, at BoConcept
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OUTSIDE IN GARDENS
FOOD
TRAVEL
INDUSTRIAL CHIC Berlin meets London in Valletta at the Taproom Brasserie & Bar, reflecting the provenance of its owners. The interior design takes the industrial aesthetic and teams it with an early 1930s restaurant and bar style - above a huge oak table are four large Bauhaus lamps that originated from an iron factory in Poland. The wall lights at the entrance were formerly wall lights in a German tiling factory and the striking woodwork was also carried out in Germany. Out of shot are banquettes in a lovely deep blue velvet. The original Maltese floor tiles were retained and the original wall was revealed after being stripped of several layers of colour. It all comes together to create a cool look.
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NEWS HW MODERNIST MARVELS
MAD FOR MARBLE
The interior design world has fallen in love with marble and it is being applied to everything from lamps to tables. It can be found in kitchen accessories too, and one of the most covetable is this set of striking salt and pepper shakers made from black and white marble. Part of BoConcept’s new autumn/winter collection. BoConcept
If you’re a fan of the work of architectural great, Le Corbusier, you now have a number of UNESCO-recognised sites to put on your travel bucket list - the heritage body has just added 17 of his works to its list of internationally significant sites. The Modernist movement’s most famous figure, the Swiss-born French architect worked all over the world and the 17 sites can be found across seven countries. According to UNESCO, the list is a ‘testimonial to the invention of a new architectural language that made a break with the past’ and particularly mentioned four buildings that ‘reflect the solutions that the Modern Movement sought to apply during the 20th century to the challenges of inventing new architectural techniques to respond to the needs of society.’ These are Complexe du Capitole in Chandigarh (1952), built by Le Corbusier with his cousin and fellow architect and designer Pierre Jeanerre in which concrete was used to make complex geometry and patterns, which were then highlighted with bright colour (below); the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo, (1959), a multi-storey, reinforced concrete building built to mark the start of of diplomatic ties between Japan and France after World War II (bottom); the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata, Argentina (1953), an example of Le Corbusier’s five points of architecture that shows how modern and traditional architecture can work together; and his famous Unité, d’habitation in Marseille (1952), a concrete block comprising 337 apartments that is considered the founding work of Brutalism. Find the full list at http://whc.unesco.org/en
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Forget herbs shrivelling up due to lack of water - these smart pots from Danish brand Eva Solo are self-watering so now there’s no excuse for not having fresh herbs in your kitchen. Available from johnlewis.com 081
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GARDEN HW
Cool Water
THE SOUND AND FEEL OF WATER INTRODUCES A REFRESHED FEEL TO YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE. AND THE GOOD NEWS IS, YOU DON’T NEED A LARGE GARDEN (OR POOL) TO ENJOY IT… Words: Melina Scodanibbio of The Garden Studio
W
ater brings a range of sensory qualities to a garden and is a wonderful, almost essential, addition to an outdoor space of any size, even the tiniest courtyard or balcony. It sparkles in the sunlight or creates a tranquil focal point in the shade, it reflects shapes and has a definite calming and cooling effect. Water adds sound in a variety of different forms, from sprinkling fountains, to gurgling waterfalls and trickling
streams. The sound of water invariably contributes to creating an ambience and has the added benefit of minimising the noises coming from outside. From formal to naturalistic, traditional to supermodern, there’s a water feature to suit any style, size or budget. While the range of premade features is endless, bespoke ones allow much more creativity and flexibility. They form an integral part of the design and are often the focus of the outdoor space. 083
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The ultimate choice depends on the aim and naturally the overall look and feel one wants to achieve. In a courtyard, patio or terrace, water features tend to be more architectural, a complement of the house. They can for instance be built into a planter, they can be floor level, raised or tiered, they can dominate the space or be a small but valuable eye catcher. Vertical surfaces can become spectacular water walls, where water slides down a smooth or textured face into a catchment basin. Water walls are either freestanding and readymade or custom built and integrated into the architecture of the space. Many water features are incorporated in the pool design, and can be anything from an informal rock cascade to a sleek blade of water. Rills and shallow canals form a ribbon of water which can edge or bisect a courtyard for example, or be followed like a thread through the garden, pulling different parts of it together. A typical element of ancient Persian and then Moorish gardens, they now often feature in contemporary landscape architecture. Materials are incredibly varied ranging from stone, concrete, steel to glass, ceramic and marble. They can match the style of the space or by contrast be on the opposite side of the materials spectrum. Of a different type, but probably the water garden par excellence, is of course the pond. A pond can be dug
in an open area of any size, as long as it is not in deep shade or overhung by trees. Liners, concrete or preformed fibreglass ponds are a few of the available options and shapes are limited only by the imagination. For the most natural look possible, it is important to blur the edges with rocks and marginal planting of moisture lovers such as Iris, rushes, Canna, papyrus. A beach of pebbles can also be introduced, to encourage visiting birds and insects. Although a self-contained ecosystem is formed, ponds still need a certain degree of maintenance such as periodic cleanups, replenishing of water, plant care and possible pump repairs. Where space is limited, it is definitely possible to include water. The net is full of ideas for quick and easy DIY features or up cycling projects. An attractive pot can effortlessly be transformed into a bubbling water feature or mini water garden complete with water lilies which, incidentally, prefer still water. As with pools, planting adjacent to water should be with plants that do not tend to drop their leaves. Large, lush leaves and architectural shapes complement water but one can also choose to omit plants altogether for the design of the feature to really stand out. Clever lighting transforms water by night, highlighting the movements of a fountain or cascade or bringing a translucent glow to a tranquil pool.
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HW FOOD & WINE
All in one
IN SWEDEN THEY CALL THEM HYGGE OR ‘HUG IN A BOWL’ AND NOURISH BOWLS ARE EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE MEAL TO NOURISH YOUR BODY AND MIND. HERE ARE THREE RECIPES, EACH OF WHICH CONTAINS ALL THE KEY NUTRITIONAL ELEMENTS IN ONE DELICIOUS BOWL. AND GEORGES MEEKERS OF DELICATA BRINGS US HIS EXPERT WINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH Recipes: Nicole Pisani and Kate Adams Photography: Issy Croker Wine recommendations: Georges Meekers, Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker Nourish Bowls, (Quadrille) Photography by Issy Croker 086
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FOOD & WINE HW
CRAYFISH RICE VERMICELLI GRAPEFRUIT & MINT SALSA GINGER KALE & FENNEL FRONDS AVOCADO
METHOD For the grapefruit & mint salsa Peel and segment a pink grapefruit. Mix with some sweet chilli sauce or 1 tsp freshly chopped chilli pepper and 2 tbsp honey, 2tbsp red wine vinegar, and plenty of freshly chopped mint leaves. For the crayfish rice vermicelli Mix 80–100g (3½ oz./½ cup) cooked and cooled crayfish (large shrimp) with 55g (2 oz./¾ cup) cooked and cooled rice vermicelli.
For the ginger kale & fennel Rinse a large handful of kale, remove the thick stalks, shred, and sauté in a little coconut oil and chopped ginger. Allow to cool then season with sea salt and toss gently with the crayfish and rice vermicelli. Add some thinly sliced raw fennel, including the fronds, and ½ diced avocado and check again for seasoning. To assemble your bowl Add the crayfish and rice vermicelli salad to the bowl and serve with a few table spoonfuls of the grapefruit and mint salsa.
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ZA’ATAR SOYBEANS RAW TOMATO SAUCE SPINACH & BASIL LEAVES RICE & QUINOA SPAGHETTI PRESERVED LEMON DRESSING
METHOD For the za’atar soybeans Soak 55g (2 oz./ 1/2 cup) dried soybeans overnight, then drain, rinse, and pat dry. Mix with a little olive oil and 1 tsp za’atar. Sauté in a frying pan until golden. Add to a mixing bowl. For the raw tomato sauce Roughly chop 8–10 heritage cherry tomatoes and add to the soybeans in the mixing bowl, along with a generous splash of tinned coconut milk. For the spinach & basil Roughly chop a large handful each of baby spinach and basil, and add to the mixing bowl. For the rice & quinoa spaghetti Cook 85g (3 oz.) rice and quinoa spaghetti according to the instructions on the packet, then add to the mixing bowl and gently mix everything together. For the preserved lemon dressing Mix together the finely chopped rind of 1 preserved lemon, 1 finely chopped shallot, ½ tsp coconut sugar, and a good pinch of sea salt. Add 1 part white wine vinegar to 3 parts extra virgin olive oil, to make a thick dressing. To assemble your bowl Add the soybean, spaghetti, and salad mixture to the bowl and drizzle over some preserved lemon dressing. 088
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FOOD & WINE HW
LIME & FENNEL SALMON WITH UMEBOSHI PLUMS, ASIAN GREENS, PLUM & BUCKWHEAT NOODLES METHOD For the plum and buckwheat noodles Cook 85g (3 oz.) plum and buckwheat (or any favourite variety) noodles according to the instructions on the packet, drain and rinse in cold water, then toss in a little sesame oil, 1 tbsp ume plum vinegar, and ½ tbsp mirin. For the lime and fennel salmon Mix 1 tsp fennel seeds with 1 tsp finely grated lime zest, spread out on a roasting tray, and gently dry in a low oven at 120°C/250°F/gas mark ½ for about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 190°C/375°F/gas mark 5. Panfry a salmon fillet skin-side down in an ovenproof non- stick pan, for about 5 minutes, until the skin is crisp. Mix a little wasabi with 1 tsp grain mustard or white miso paste. Take the salmon off the heat, spread the wasabi mixture over the top (the nonskin side) then scatter over the fennel seeds and lime zest. Finish off in the oven for about 6 minutes, depending on how you like your salmon cooked. For The Asian greens If you can find tatsoi, these are good raw, or soften bok choy in a hot wok with a little sesame oil until just wilted. To assemble your bowl Spoon the noodles into the bowl and add the salmon, greens, and one or two umeboshi plums.
GEORGES' WINE RECOMMENDATIONS: LIME AND FENNEL SALMON (above)
CRAYFISH RICE VERMICELLI (page 71)
ZA’ATTAR SOYBEANS RAW TOMATO SAUCE (adjacent)
2015 GRAND VIN DE HAUTEVILLE VIOGNIER, D.O.K. MALTA
2015 GRAN CAVALIER CHARDONNAY, SUPERIOR, D.O.K. MALTA
2015 MEDINA SANGIOVESE, D.O.K. MALTA
Right off the top of my head, I’d grab this very seductive drink for this Asian-inspired fish dish. Viognier tastes similar in weight to Chardonnay but with that marked peach and apricot character and an opulent lushness – at least this fine, unwooded Malta-grown example does. Delicate scents of honeysuckle, lily and white blossom with green melon, pear fruit, mango and anise flavours: it’s an uplifting wine match.
Stay clear from reds and other wines that appear sweetish. A Sauvignon Blanc would have done nicely, but this fleshier and rounder yet crisp Chardonnay will work wonderfully with the coconut oil and avocado. Go easy on the mint salsa which I’d substitute with cucumber to pair up better. This barrelfermented wine’s depth and brightness echo what makes the dish itself so special.
Sangiovese works well with pasta with beans. A bright red wine with a bit of bite is your best bet to foil the raw tomatoes. This unoaked mediumbodied dry wine is savoury and tannic enough to mirror all of the greens. Made from Maltese Sangiovese grapes, it’s spicy and packed with flavours of juicy forest fruits and red plum, all dashed with black pepper. Serve cellar cool. 089
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HW TRAVEL
The Lady Awaits THIS ISSUE WE CHECK IN TO PALAZZO CONSIGLIA, A NEW STYLISH BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN VALLETTA Photography: Alan Carville
I
t was a dilapidated old building that had seen better days, but it still retained an elegant charm that reflected its past. Here, owner Carlo Borg, and Architectural Designer Carlo Schembri, explain how Palazzo Consiglia came to be….
What is the history of this building? CB: 'The building dates back to the late seventeenth, early eighteenth century in early Baroque style. It is difficult to specify an accurate date, however it is safe to say that the building dates to the early Knights period in Valletta. The early Baroque style façade symbolized prestige, power and wealth with its curved forms, and the original rooms at the front and the grand staircase clearly indicate that the property belonged to a wealthy family. The low rooms on the ground floor and the rooms at the back were probably stores and servants’ quarters with a set of servants’ stairs at the back connecting all levels. In more recent years the property was being used by a local media production company as a location for various television productions and commercials.' 090
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HW TRAVEL
'I imagined a Lady Consiglia and her life and created a look that I felt reflected her life' Why did you want to turn it into a hotel? CB: 'I always had interest in the tourism industry and it was my dream to have a hotel. Having a boutique hotel gives that feeling of one to one with the clients. Valletta had a lack of hotels and I felt it was a pity that such a beautiful and historic city didn’t have any boutique hotels when we have so many unused palaces.' Carlo, how did you transform the house into a hotel? CS: 'I went back into history and restored the original features, such as on the façade, but when I had to I adapted them to suit a modern hotel. For example, the fountain in the courtyard was moved and turned in a fireplace, as I needed a central space. We excavated all of the basement and preserved everything that we found. We kept the original grand staircase, and for a time it was suspended in the air as the entire floor had been removed; all the weight was being borne by the 092
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TRAVEL HW
weight under the last step. We also removed the roof and increased the height so we could add another level for a total of 13 bedrooms. There is a pool on the roof and in the basement is a wellness centre.' What was the biggest challenge? CS: 'Creating a modern hotel in a historic building. To ensure a spacious feel, the bathrooms have been incorporated into the rooms, but screened off with glass walls and curtains. The beds are high spec and all the technology is there, but integrated so it’s not in your face. The glass lift is the first vacuum lift in Malta – there are no cables or pulleys because it uses air to lift the elevator.'
How did you create the hotel’s design style? CS: 'I had total freedom so I was able to dream. I imagined a Lady Consiglia and her life and created a look that I felt reflected her life. The look is rich and luxurious with marble floors, wallpaper and both modern and antique furniture, the latter from Malta, as well as Spain and France, which I then restored and sometimes painted. The rooms reflect different periods in Lady Consiglia’s life so Amante has a hint of passion with sultry hues and tones while Religiosa is more tranquil with plain upholstery but given style with a monochrome fresco style print.' www.palazzoconsiglia.com 093
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27/09/2016 5:07 PM
ESSENTIAL SUPPLIERS SUPPLIERS HW GARAGE DOORS LIGHTING
TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE PHONE: 2133 9999 OR EMAIL: sales@homeworks.com.mt.mt
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HW ESSENTIAL SUPPLIERS
APERTURES
LIGHTING APERTURES ART
POOLS ART
ONLINE SHOPPING Specialising in Pool & Spa Construction, Finishing & Repairs, Roof Top or In-ground Pools
ART
ART
PENTAIR POOL EQUIPMENT - REVIGLASS MOSAIC GLASS COPINGS & TILES - MARBLE OR CERAMIC NATURALCHLOR SALT CHLORINATION SYSTEMS HIDROTEN POOL FITTINGS
Phone: 21 582761 Fax: 21 586242 Mob: 99457491 / 79258227 Email: pools@muscatpools.com Web: muscatpools.com
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TO 9999, 9933 2224 EMAIL sales@homeworks.com.mt TO ADVERTISE ADVERTISE IN IN THIS THIS SECTION SECTION PHONE PLEASE2133 PHONE: 2133 9999 OR OR EMAIL: sales@homeworks.com.mt.mt
26/09/2016 7:36 PM
ADDRESS BOOK A&A Mizzi, Triq is-Salib ta’ l-iMriehel, Mriehel. Tel:2148 8168. www.aamizzi.com Alberta, Road Of The Cross - Mriehel, San Joachim Street, Birkirkara. Tel: 2144 3538. www.alberta.com.mt Auntie Lucy, 230 Tower Road Sliema.Tel: 21317 387 www. auntielucy.com
ESS, Triq San Gwakkin, Mriehel, Birkirkara. Tel: 2125 5777 www.ess.com.mt Farrugia Lighting & Interiors, Triq Dun Karm Xerri, Iklin. Tel: 2141 9111. www.farrugia.com.mt
Muscat Pool Construction & Supplies, Triq Gammari Camilleri, Mgarr. Tel: 9945 7491. www.muscatpools.com Next Home, Triq il-Bisazza, Sliema. 2134 4156
FGP, 109, Triq Valletta, Luqa. Tel: 2167 3627. www.fgp.com.mt
OnePercent, Triq il-Wied, Birkirkara, Tel:2546 5500. www.onepercent.com.mt
B&M Supplies, Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara. Tel: 2144 0710. www.bmsupplies.com
Flamingo Complex, Triq il-Kannun, Qormi. Tel: 2279 4205. www.flamingo.com.mt
R. Living, Mriehel Bypass, Qormi. Tel: 21499699. www.rliving.com.mt
Bathroom Design, 358, Triq in-Naxxar, Birkirkara, Tel:2144 1328 www.bathroomdesign.com.mt
Finestral, 360 Manufacturing Ltd. Finestral, Canon Road St. Venera. Tel: 2146 3522. finestralmalta.com
BoConcept, Brands International Triq Tal Balal, San Gwann. Tel: 2144 4110. www.brands.com.mt
Form, Triq il-Wied ta’ l-Imsida, Msida. Tel: 2144 6000 / 2144 2535 www.form.com.mt
BOV, 58, Triq il-Kanun, Santa Venera. Tel: 2131 2020. www.bov.com Camilleri Paris Mode, Triq il- Karmnu, Tas-Sliema. Tel: 21344838. www.camilleriparismode.com Carini Bathrooms, Triq il-Kbira San Ġużepp, St. Venera. Tel: 2144 0202. www.carinibathrooms.com Carmelo Delia, Triq il-Wied, Birkirkara. Tel: 21472882. www.carmelodelia.com CAS (Cassar Air conditioning systems) Ltd., 307, Misrah il-Barrierim, Santa Venera. Tel: 2123 0777. www.casmalta.com Casanova, Triq San Tumas, Luqa. Tel: 2180 0221. www.casanova.com.mt CME Finishes, 264, St. Thomas Street, Fgura. Tel: 2180 7000. www.cmefinishes.com CreationsOmni, Liland Buildings, Mdina Road, Attard. Tel: 2141 1541. www.creationsomni.com
Glow, 177–179, Skyway Offices, Pieta’. Tel: 27333788. Granny Smith Shop, Triq San Pawl, Naxxar. Tel: 2141 8984. www.grannysmithshop.com GRF Design Concepts, 117, Triq l-Assemblea Nazzjonali, San Gwann. Tel: 2137 7378 www.grfmalta.com Habitat Malta, The Atrium - Mriehel By-Pass Mriehel BKR3000 Tel: 2147 0000 www.habitat.eu/shop/mt/habitat-malta Halmann Vella, Triq il-Mosta, Lija. Tel: 2143 f3636. www.halmannvella.com Henri Luxury Gift Boutique, 23, Villegaignon Street, Mdina, Malta Tel: 2010 6307 Pjazza Tigné Tigne Point Malta Tel: 2010 6306. www.henri.com.mt JTS Trading Triq Kummerc, Qormi Tel: 2149 6415. www.jtstrading.com JYSK, Triq Il-Mosta, Ħal Lija, Malta. Tel: 2713 7364. jysk.com.mt
core, Triq il-Wied, Birkirkara, Tel: 2144 3449. www.core.com.mt
Kind’s Auto Sales Ltd., Triq il-Mosta, Ħal Lija. Tel: 2143 3601. www.autosales.com.mt
Dimech Enterprises, Triq il-Belt Luqa. Tel: 21320433. www.dimech-ent.com/
Light Design Solutions, Triq Emmanuel Schembri, Birkirkara. Tel: 21496843. www.lds.com.mt
Dex Workspaces, Mdina Road, Qormi. Tel: 227 73000. www.dex.com.mt
Lux-It, 105 Triq Hal Luqa, Raħal Ġdid. Tel: 2166 5544. www.lux-it.com
Distinct Homes, Triq l-Imdina, Attard. Tel: 27134234. Triq Pope John Paul II, Victoria, Gozo. Tel: 2155 1234 www.distincthomes.com.mt
M. Demajo Timbers, Misrah Iz-Zebbug, Qormi. Tel: 2148 7078. www.demajotimbers.com
Elektra, Mill Street, Qormi, Tel: 2546 3000 http://www.elektra.com.mt
www.maltarugs.com Isfahan carpets 101, Triq Salvu Psaila, Birkirkara. Tel: 2702 5702. info@maltarugs.com
Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker, The Winery on the Waterfront, Paola. Tel: 2182 5199. www.delicata.com
Real House Management Ltd., The Administration Office, Tigné Point, Sliema. Tel: 2060 0073 Satariano, 122, Triq il-Wied, Birkirkara. Tel: 2149 2149. www.satariano.com Spot On Supplies, Triq il-Palmi, Paola. Tel: 2166 8880 / 7981 7777. www.spotonmalta.com The Atrium, Mriehel By-Pass, Mriehel, Malta BKR 3000 Tel: 2147 0000 The Mattress Collection, Triq il-Kbira, Zebbug. Tel: 2146 1961. www.mattresscollection.com.mt The Resin & Membrane Centre, 264 Triq Il-Ferrovija Santa Venera Tel: 2747 7647. www. theresincentre.com The Wholesaler, Triq in-Negozju, Mriehel. Tel: 2123 3240. www.thewholesalerbelgroup.com VCT Light & design, Triq Ponsomby, Mosta. Tel: 2143 2571. www.vct.com.mt VEEGEEBEE Triq Bellavista, San Gwann. Tel: 2138 5584. www.vgb.com.mt Vical Interiors, 84, Triq Hal Qormi, Hamrun. Tel: 2125 0773. www.vicalinteriors.com Vitel Home & Office Electronics, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann. Tel: 2137 7172. www.vitelmalta.com VIVO, 9 Geronimo Abos, L-Iklin Tel: 2093 2932. wwww.vivo.com.mt Zara Home, Tower Road 1, Valletta. Tel: 2132 3585 www.zarahome.com.mt
Mdina Glass, Crafts Village, Ta’Qali, Attard. Tel: 2141 5786. www.mdinaglass.com.mt
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HW BACK STORY
FARSON’S BREWERY BY LEWIS FARRUGIA AND ARCHITECTURE PROJECT
MALTA HAS A NUMBER OF SUPERB EXAMPLES OF ART DECO ARCHITECTURE. FARSON’S BREWERY IS ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE AND NOW HAS A VERY MODERN PARTNER
W
ith its concrete rectangular tower topped by set-backs that create a neat stepped outline and windows arranged in vertical bands for a streamlined look, Farson’s Brewery monolithic façade is one of Malta’s most iconic buildings that’s not only an excellent example of Art Deco architecture, but also a symbol of Malta’s industrial heritage. It was designed and built by Lewis Farrugia, the company’s founder and an architect by profession, after two years of planning and preparation. Built on what was then a greenfield site, it was funded by the profits of a Tripoli brewery that Farrugia ran for NAAFI (the British Army’s official trading organisation) during World War Two. The new brewing facilities allowed the company to grow but by as far back as 1990s, Farson’s had started to think about a new brewery to push the company on even further, and in 2006 it commissioned Architecture Project to construct a new one. The challenge was to create a building that fulfilled its function as a brewery but that also worked with what was already there. Six years later, in 2012, the new building was completed. Tucked behind the Art Deco original, the new state-of-the-art brewery is a subtle yet smart building which houses the plant and equipment, as well as the brewing tuns, and all necessary stores, silos and fermentation vessels. The result is an interior where the calm atmosphere of the ground floor housing the brewing tuns contrasts with the exciting chaos of the pipework feeding the barrels and casks. The exterior is clad in modern materials perforated patinated copper sheeting, translucent u-glass and an aluminium expanded mesh which wraps around the building. It all comes to together to create an extension that is very much of its time but also succesfully links to its past.
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Last page editorial Page Edito__Homeworks 98
27/09/2016 4:23 PM
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