In the historic center of Valletta on the island of Malta, the Agency Architecture Project transforms this old building into offices and housing. Downstairs in the lobby stands a sculptural staircase that serves dual offices an investment company and a first floor apartment with terrace on the top level.
Strong structural element, the staircase is composed of a metal structure, steps in solid walnut dressing and a panel veneered American walnut. Its structure is attached to the walls of the building by anchors.
Alberto Miceli Farrugia of Architecture Project says:
"Normally the planning regulations required us to create two separate staircases to separate the access to office space and residential. Crossing the two climbs stairs in a single volume we have achieved a significant space saving any providing independent access to both floors of offices and the residential portion on the top floor which allowed us to obtain the approval of the Planning Department. The fact that the customer is immediately understood the value to make the stairs a strong element in the project design was crucial for us.
We appreciate the American walnut to dark colors which contrast well with the light a little raw Malta. With its wear resistance is also a very versatile fuel that we required both for the realization of the stairs but also in furniture layout as well as the floor especially in the bearing of the upstairs. The fact that this gas is readily available and it comes from sustainably managed resources also reassured us. "
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