Vamp May Oct 17

Location: Photography: Faced with a first floor duplex
Swieqi, Malta Alex Attard maisonette which had been modelled

and remodelled several times, cluttered
A Project by Size: 327m2
with temporary accretions and make-
A.COLLECTIVE:
shift alterations, our departure point
Steven Risiott,
was to strip this property to its structural
Patricia Grech
carcass. This included the removal of
multiple layers of floor tiles, false walls
and gypsum ceilings thereby allowing us
to understand how the building fabric
had been modified over time. Back in its
shell format, the structural parameters of
the building were now visible. >>
The design brief for this duplex was to create a sense of

place, exploit the infiltration of natural light and organise
the flow of space. Steven Risiott and Patricia Grech.
explain the process.
DUPLEX
MAISONET
DESIGN
TE S U M M E R I S S U E 105
DESIGN
T
he property once formed part of the terraced house at ground floor but had since been separated to form an
independent residential unit. This was evident not only in the way the rooms were laid out at first floor but
also through the various structural and non-structural interventions which had been carried out to adapt the
property to its current use. The nature of the alterations carried out by the previous tenants was such that
any character that the original building fabric might have had was lost. The building had no personality, no
soul. This provided us with a blank slate.
The project had three primary goals; create a sense of place, exploit the infiltration of natural light and
organise the flow of space.
Facing predominantly north, with a very narrow frontage most of which is set back significantly from the neighbouring buildings,
the maisonette receives very little direct sunlight. By enlarging the façade apertures and demolishing a series of walls that
divided the front rooms, we were able to increase on the amount of light that penetrated the buildings core. >>
106 SUMMER ISSUE

DESIGN
S U M M E R I S S U E 107
DESIGN
This also allowed us to form an open plan

kitchen and dining area which although long
and narrow was now brightly lit. The bespoke
front door which is clad with mirror-glass on
the inside also helps to reflect natural light into
the entrance hallway, living room and stair core
which are laterally displaced from the kitchen
and dining room.
Perhaps the most crucial structural intervention

involved the demolition of the masonry staircase
that connected the two main floors of this
duplex maisonette. The staircase previously
rose from the central section of what is now
the extended living room and stair core area
thus creating two smaller spaces. In order to
amalgamate these two areas into one larger
space and create a visual link between the
dining and living room, we remodelled the
staircase in both form and orientation. The steps
were relocated to run parallel with the wall at
the extreme end of the space whilst a bridge
connects the staircase to the original landing at
second floor.
The design of the new staircase contrasts with

the heaviness of the previous staircase that was
constructed in stone and lined with a heavy,
black wrought iron railing. In order to achieve a
staircase design that would look as lightweight
as possible we deviated from the traditional use
of stone and concrete and opted for wood. The
use of wood in a natural finish is limited to the
actual staircase profile and a series of vertical
slats which align with each step. The supporting
structure of the staircase is concealed behind
timber clad panels between each set of slats.
These panels have been sprayed in the same
colour as the walls to make the staircase appear
as though it has been reduced to its bare
The finishes material palette adopted is clean and bright allowing the
skeletal frame thereby further contributing to
furniture and furnishings to provide bold accents of colour. Polished concrete
the feeling of lightness. The staircase railing and
flooring runs through the living spaces serving not only as a seamless neutral
bridge structure were also designed to appear
backdrop but also creating a homogenous continuity between the otherwise
weightless through the use of steel flat bars and
seemingly disconnected spaces. The matt oak elements distinguish the
channels. The latter appear to be slimmer than
bespoke joinery pieces by creating both a repetition as well as introducing
they actually are as a result of the shadows that
a warm backdrop. The raw and crude palette evokes an industrial approach
form between the flanges. So as to increase
which is further strengthened by our choice of decorative light fittings and
on the amount of natural light filtration to the
furnishings populating the space. [ V ]
lower floors, the bridge flooring is composed of
perforated steel mesh panels. In addition, the
staircase defines a reading area and includes
underlying storage space accessible through a
concealed door.
S U M M E R I S S U E 109

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Vamp May Oct 17

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Location: Photography: Faced with a first floor duplex

Swieqi, Malta Alex Attard maisonette which had been modelled

The design brief for this duplex was to create a sense of

106 SUMMER ISSUE

This also allowed us to form an open plan

Perhaps the most crucial structural intervention

The design of the new staircase contrasts with

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