Gnejna Residence, Malta

Nestled in the rural heart of northern Malta, this retirement home, occupies a high vantage point with panoramic views of terraced fields and hills. The site originally housed a deteriorated corner building with poor-quality extensions, prompting the decision to demolish all but the two front facades, preserving the limestone walls as a nod to the past. By partially lowering the ground floor, a two-story, 240-square-meter home was crafted within the original footprint. The upper level, featuring open-plan living spaces and a south-facing terrace, maximizes the surrounding vistas, while the ground floor accommodates bedrooms, a study, and ancillary spaces.

 The design integrates retained facades with new contemporary elements, balancing privacy and openness. An L-shaped layout allows the garden to extend along the building, introducing light and depth to the interiors. Upstairs, bright Mediterranean tones prevail, while downstairs, textured finishes create a serene atmosphere. Rounded garden facades blend salvaged stone, glass, and concrete, softening the structure’s profile and harmonizing with the landscape. This pragmatic design transforms site challenges into architectural strengths, seamlessly merging past and present into a timeless home.

“ Design boldness and Antipodean inspiration have together created a home that does things differently - and brilliantly - to create a home that is an inspiring place to live.” - Homeworks magazine, HW88, ‘Follow the Curve’