This townhouse forms part of five houses commissioned by the same family at the turn of the 19th century. Together with its direct neighbor it is the only unconverted/undivided property left at the start of this row of houses. A unique feature of these five houses is that instead of a backyard, they all have direct access from two streets.
Stepping through the front door the original ornamental ceiling is carefully being restored, keeping to the traditional proportions and style of a Sliema townhouse. The introduction of carefully articulated slits along the entrance hall are the first subtle change revealing the architectural interventions made.
Looking through these vertical slits a double height space reveals itself. The former priest room is now without a floor and visually connected to the level below. The former basement was originally used to keep livestock, therefore the relative dark and moist conditions were not an issue. However, over the years the steel beams holding up the stone floor started rusting and expanding, cracking the stones they were holding. A choice to only partially rebuilt to floor avoids failure in the future and keeps the lower floor naturally lit and ventilated, elevating its usability throughout the year.
Moving further inwards the central yard welcomes natural light from a large skylight deep into the building, enhancing the quality of all the rooms surrounding the yard. This former outdoor utilitarian shaft is being stripped from all the exposed services, metal accretions and ceramic tile finishes. A restoration to re-expose the original Franka limestone masonry walls.
More traces of the building’s history will be tangible in the un-plastered parts of the project, where textures are purposefully left exposed on the ceilings and walls. The floors will be feature the original patterned cement tiles, all bearing testament to the home’s rich history.
Continuing upwards a seemingly floating fair faced concrete slab introduces the new addition, a recessed volume at roof level. Built with the same construction methodology as the originals structure of the house: a double leaf limestone masonry cavity wall. This structure will contain a secondary kitchen for entertainment and hosting purposes. A continuous raised decking running from one side of the house to the other, interrupted only by a large sliding door that can fully open; blurring the boundary between the inside and the outside. A space that makes up for the lack of a garden on ground floor with spectacular views to the Marsamxett Harbour and the capital city of Malta.
location sliema, malta
program residential
area 180 sqm
status under construction (2026)
