Nestled in the heart of Rabat, a suburban gem with a history dating back to the 1980s awaited its transformation. The new homeowners, a couple with a profound passion for classic cars and an abiding love for literature, envisioned a modern home that would not only reflect their personalities, but also offer a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics beyond the ordinary of everyday homes.
We are dedicated to designing spaces that can be enjoyed, used, loved and even admired. So when this couple approached our team, our synergies merged.
We find that through novel interpretation of space, we can deliver results which really connect with our clients. It’s never about more of the ‘same’ but about marrying personality with design and function. A home is space full of a hundred emotions, purposes and stories. Capturing that is the journey we love.
Location
Rabat
Area
360sqm
Project Type
Residential | Interior | Detailing | Design Architecture
Design Architects
Angie the Architect Angie Sciberras & Victor Palma Herrero
Structural Engineer & PA Application
Robert Ellul Sciberras
Decor & Styling
FORMADEUS
Photography
Ramon Portelli
We initiate every project with an in-depth research process. Our mission is to capture our clients’ characters, daily lives and dreams for the future and translate these insights into functional, personally influenced spaces.
Up until quite recently the line of thought with design was that open plan spatial design was the way to go. But today that’s not always best practice. We always consider sustainability and the environment, such as how much it will cost to heat or cool such large open spaces. We also believe that sometimes people also need escape areas. To focus, to rest, to cook, to entertain. It’s hard to do that in an open space without some level of confusion to the eye.
Just like our lives, spatial design needs hints of division. In our design planning we introduced contemporary design treatments such as squared off walls. Something we felt was vital to this home was that the entrance from the garage should be given equal importance as that from the road.
When you enter a home, you should feel intrigued, invited and positive – no matter which entrance you are using. Once our rooms and spaces were defined we began the design planning, looking at how best to give our clients a home they would cherish.
Truly a pièce de résistance and so often overlooked, we started our creative process by looking at the central staircase which was visible from all areas and from all floors. Serving as the cornerstone of the entire residence, it provided us with a symphony of design elements to be creative with.
To bring our vision for the staircase to life, we embarked on a journey of bespoke craftsmanship. We chose medium-density fiberboard (MDF) as our canvas, allowing us to sculpt a banister that truly defies convention of what is found in Maltese homes. MDF was specifically chosen due to its malleability and versatility, enabling us to craft a banister that seamlessly integrates with the staircase’s unconventional angles. Every aspect of the banister’s construction was executed with precision and finesse, ensuring a flawless fit within the architectural ensemble.
Light, an elemental force in architecture, played a pivotal role in the staircase’s design. We selected a specific shade of black characterised by a subtle sheen, creating a dynamic interplay between light and shadow. This deliberate choice imbued the banister with an almost sculptural quality, with natural light emphasising its form and structure. No longer just a functional staircase, travelling up and down becomes an experience.
One of the most striking features of this staircase design is its grand double floor height. Instead of enclosing the space, we embraced its openness. This design decision was pivotal in inviting visitors into the architectural narrative. As one
enters the residence, a sense of intrigue and anticipation envelops, guiding them through a seamless flow of interconnected spaces. The grandeur of the double floor height serves as a captivating introduction, setting the tone for the entire architectural journey.
We find that architectural excellence extends beyond aesthetics; it must encompass functionality and purpose. In this Rabat residence, although spacious, it was crucial to meticulously harness every inch of available space. So when we explored the design of a charming library and reading nook, ingeniously nestled beneath the staircase, it was like breathing new life into spaces so often left unnourished.
The library, constructed from solid wood in collaboration with Joinwell, showcased the opportunity in design when you consider custom craftsmanship. Every corner and crevice of this mini library is imbued with the passion of our client, ensuring that no space goes to waste and her books are given their own attention. This typically underutilised area was transformed into a sanctuary for book lovers, a testament to the potential of thoughtful architectural design.
We also believe that colour is a potent tool, capable of expressing personality and evoking profound emotions. In this project, we chose to challenge the convention of neutral tones. Instead, we introduced a vibrant palette that celebrates the colours of our clients’ lives. The bold and vivid hues of the burgundy-coloured library unfurl against the backdrop of slightly off-white walls, before your eye is drawn up to the reflective black staircase. It creates a visual symphony and ticks all the right boxes for our client.
The kitchen, a culinary oasis, was a commitment to precision and purpose. By keeping the kitchen separate from the rest of the house, as per our client’s request, we created a cozy, safe and calm space for culinary endeavours. It also means that whilst entertaining the oasis of laughter and good food or drinks would be kept separate from the traditional mayhem that ensues when entertaining guests. The customised cupboards and units, designed to perfection, enhance both aesthetics and functionality. The forest green colours gave the kitchen an air of farmhouse
serenity and the introduction of soft lighting completed the experience, transforming the kitchen into a welcoming haven for cooking, dining, or simply being.
We took on the exciting task of crafting a floating sliding door, meticulously assembled from slats of solid wood. This ingenious addition served multiple purposes for our clients. It effectively partitioned the formal dining room from the
living area for everyday convenience. Moreover, it offered a practical solution to keep pets from accessing the dining space and to regulate heating and cooling in less frequently used areas.
Its warm and gentle glow, especially when embraced by natural light, not only accentuated the beauty of the wood but also created a captivating interplay of light and shadows through the slats. Crafting a door sturdy enough to stand without the need for a floor rail was a notable achievement, eliminating the common tripping hazard associated with such designs. It’s these finer details, often unnoticed by visitors, that elevate the entire architectural experience.
At Angie the Architect, it’s not just about symmetry, ease and aesthetics – it’s about the intricate process of translating drawings and diagrams into flawlessly executed homes.
In architecture, the devil resides in the details. The architectural narrative extends to a multitude of design elements, both large and small. From squared-off walls that define distinct rooms, to the construction of the solid wood sliding door, no detail was left unexamined.
In the cozy living room, complete with a large sofa and TV, a wood-burning fireplace completed the look and offered a tranquil atmosphere for the family to escape in during the colder months.
Underfloor heating in the bedrooms, living and dining rooms, bathrooms and kitchen added an extra layer of creature comfort to the home. In the main bedroom, a serene finish was achieved by extending the plush white panelling that hid the entrance to the walk-in wardrobe to also cover the ensuite bathroom door, decluttering the view and the mind in a space whose sole purpose was to nurture rest and relaxation.
As the story of the Rabat House continues, with plans for the introduction of nature through a landscaped roof garden, it becomes clear that the boundaries of recent architectural interior design must be rethought. Voice versus neutrality.
Character versus void. Innovation introduces spatial optimisation. A house can be more than ‘a’ home; it can be ‘your’ home. This project is a love story meticulously written in wood, stone, textures and colour.
Our commitment to architectural excellence extends beyond the present; we create spaces that can gracefully adapt to future needs.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of this beautiful home’s transformation, where nature and architecture will intertwine in a landscaped roof garden, continuing to redefine the boundaries of design and living.
