FARMHOUSE CONVERSION

Located in Mgarr, Malta, this project involves the transformation of an existing farmhouse characterized by its robust construction in larger-than-standard local limestone blocks and its distinctive sienna red façade. The original structure comprises a series of modest rooms arranged around a central courtyard.

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The site is divided into three principal zones: a historic front room, an open central courtyard with an external staircase, and a cluster of dilapidated rooms at the rear. The design brief seeks to convert the existing fabric into a contemporary dwelling while preserving the building’s rural character and material authenticity.

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The architectural proposal retains the front room, the courtyard, and the original staircase. The rear section, being structurally unsound, will be reconstructed using salvaged materials recovered from the demolished portions of the building, ensuring continuity in texture and tone.

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The existing open staircase will become the house’s primary vertical circulation element. By enclosing it with a skylight, the design maintains the spatial quality of openness and natural light, creating a dynamic indoor-outdoor connection. A lightweight bridge will span the courtyard, linking the retained front structure with the new rear volume and reinforcing the dialogue between old and new.

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