15/09/2026
SURGING EXPECTATIONS; The Rhythm of Comfort and Form
Mriehel, Qormi
"Dream big", they said... I guess you’re asked and expected to do that when you’re dealing with a skilled investor with big plans, and tenants who are some of the biggest names in commerce, with international standard requirements way beyond the average level of finishing.
Designing a building that is expected to rate well internationally in methodology, finishing and sustainability and having the audacity to design a facade that is able to stand out and yet feels approachable was a challenge that went down extremely well.
With a facade length of almost 100m, this design is long enough to have a responsibility to create its own streetscape; a rhythmic modular concept that symbolizes movement, that is both repetitive while introducing a dynamic architectural language within the uniform palette.
The design concept is based around the idea of a long sheer curtain, blowing in the wind and gently revealing what's inside: unique furniture pieces from one of Malta's signature furniture brands, who always had a leading design edge in its previous buildings it was housed in. Beneath this undulating matte white sheer is an amber glow, created by the recessed bronze cladding, representing the warm glow produced by a fireplace heart(h) of a home.
This sweeping physical undulation is not merely aesthetic; it serves as a climatic filter designed to optimize the internal microclimate for user comfort.
• Macro Shading Dynamics: The continuous horizontal projection of the continuous balconies blocks the intense, high-angle mid-day summer sun. This mitigates solar heat gain and lowers cooling loads without relying heavily on artificial HVAC systems.
• Micro Shading Dynamics: The vertical layout of the white facade louvers acts as a glare-control mechanism. By scattering the low-angle rays of the early morning East sun and late afternoon West sun, the facade creates a visually soothing, productive workspace for occupants without relying too heavily on artificial lighting.
• Integrated Double-Skin Buffer: The space between the undulating louvers and the internal thermal envelope contains a continuous perimeter balcony, with a proposed layer of vertical greenery. This living barrier is designed to act as an organic shading device while simultaneously purifying the air intake and reducing acoustic pollution from the adjacent high-traffic Mriehel Bypass.
Submliminal messages in the architecture:
The shape of the wave is actually also an abstracted scribble of the original tenant’s name "Joinwell” [now JoinwellFXB]. They are a local big name in the home quality furniture industry, and it was only fitting to emphasise the level of tenant occupying the building.
Credits:
Architectural Design Team:
Perit Joseph Bondin
JeanKarl Bondin
Perit Daniel Scerri
Rebecca Farrugia
Other Credits:
Construction Contractors: J&G Farrugia Contractors Ltd. Glen Farrugia J&G Farrugia Contractors Ltd
Façade finishes: Cuschieri Group Cuschieri Group
M&E Engineering: E&M Engineering
M&E Works: A.A.S.K. Enterprises Ltd. AASK Enterprises Ltd.
Structural Engineers: SAS
Project Management: iManage Limited
3d modelling: Solideye
Photography: Eric Bartolo
