A Symphony of Light

The unique design of this semi-detached corner dwelling maximizes space on a triangular site while playing with light and shadow. The inverted house layout allows for cooler bedrooms in summer and efficiently warms them up in winter, placing main living areas, an outdoor terrace, pool deck, and lap pool above.

A mix of marble, granite, concrete, and perforated steel creates a rich palette, enhanced by the quality of light entering through strategically placed double-glazed apertures that exploit East-West orientation, such as a 6-meter-long picture window in the west-facing kitchen. A central courtyard brings natural light to the lower levels, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.

Energy-efficient features include a solar chimney, 18 high-performance PV panels for passive energy generation, and a fully insulated building skin, contributing to a net-zero energy building. A central three-story-high light well diffuses natural light down to basement level. Air heats up at the glazed top and, rising by convection, escapes out of openable apertures, pulling cooler air through the basement to naturally cool the living spaces during hot Maltese summers.

This project was awarded with the BIG SEE Architecture Winner Award 2024 in the category Residential-Houses as part of our Zero-Energy Living project.

Photos by Brian Grech