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Homes: Born and Reincarnated

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L-Ibragg

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Completed

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Finalised July 2016

We were presented with an unoccupied, new house on the slopes of Ta’ l-Ibraġġ in a quiet residential area. The shell form called out for an owner to give it character and turn it into a home. A couple found the property and stood across the road from it, yearning for it and hoping to transform it into that special place where they could lay down roots and grow.

In the design, we captured the bond between the couple and the property. The house became the heart of the tree with branches pointing towards the various parts of the property.

The ground floor is full of refreshing simplicity and clean lines. The open-plan design connects the kitchen with the living and dining areas as well as the outdoor space. From here, one can descend into the cavernous basement that treats the owners and their guests to a vibrant entertainment area.

The ground floor opens onto the outside world through a large aperture that allows plenty of natural light to come inside. Outside, new life has been given to the concrete walls and floors. The timber-clad outdoor dining area slopes into the plants and trees that circle the pool.

Back inside, we placed the bedrooms and studio upstairs. Here too, timber brings warmth and familiarity. The presence of wood travels up onto the roof terrace where it welcomes people into an outdoor seating area. This is a spot of privacy from the rest of the house. Here, Linux’s residents can draw energy from the sun and sit in tranquillity.

Photography: Peter M Mercieca