STYLE LIVING
“I think the Maltese public is starting to appreciate the value of good architecture and the long-term benefits of investing in quality.” - Konrad
Above: The Castleford Bridge in Yorkshire. Below: The Adic Towers in Abu Dhabi
KONRAD XUEREB Valletta and Gozo are two of my favourite places in Malta. From an architectural point of view, I think Valletta is an incomparable gem. I try to explore new places every time I visit. I love the Maltese spontaneity. When it comes to taking important decisions I think we are proud to just go for the opportunity – and that’s great. Research is so important in my career and I am constantly reading to stay abreast of the latest issues. I am also currently working on a PhD in Smart Structures at University College London. I believe that you have to keep learning or else you start to stagnate. My favourite street in the world would have to be King’s Road in Chelsea. I love the atmosphere and it’s great for coffee, shopping, art galleries and cultural spots. The interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral never fails to inspire me. I find it absolutely awe-inspiring every time I visit.
Architect and civil engineer Konrad Xuereb has worked on award-winning and sustainable projects across the globe, including in the UK and Abu Dhabi, with leading firm Arup. He lives with his wife Greta Borg Carbott, a research fund manager, in London. “Although I’ve lived abroad for 12 years I feel as though – emotionally – I never left Malta. I consider it to be part of my international path and career, and come here often to provide high-level advice on projects. The London-based company I work for is also involved in the City Gate project, so my ties are very tangible. “I started my career reading architecture and civil engineering at the University of Malta, and worked here for two years before securing a scholarship to study a post-grad at the Institute of Technology in Milan. It opened my eyes to what was out there, and I later got the opportunity to work with a prominent London firm. London was booming at the time, with lots of high profile developments being carried out, so it
was a wonderful time to be involved in the action. “I have worked on some fantastic projects since, including the recent thirty-storey Adic Towers (now known as the Al-Bahr Towers) in the financial district of Abu Dhabi. These sustainable towers are clad with adaptable facades (Mashrabiya) that respond to the external environment conditions to allow optimum internal comfort levels for the occupants. It is completely automatic and the first of its kind for tall buildings. The towers were recently awarded the 2012 CTBUH Award for innovation. “But I’ve been lucky enough to work on several other excellent international projects, including a cable net botanical museum in Oslo and the Skolokovo Technopark in Moscow, as well as the award-winning S-shaped Castleford Bridge in Yorkshire, England. I recently went back to experience how that bridge has helped regenerate the town; it was a pretty rewarding process.
It also won numerous awards, including the RIBA Award and ACE Engineering Excellence Award. “Sustainability is definitely an important factor in my work. I emphasise on incorporating engineering with architecture to attain the best results in my projects. I strive to create sympathetic and intelligent solutions that benefit the built environment. I look for inspiration in all sorts of places in the hope of creating buildings that will work optimally for the people using them. “I also think that architecture in Malta is looking up, as several brilliant and interesting projects have been launched in the last five years or so. I believe the public is starting to appreciate the value of good architecture and the long-term benefits of investing in quality. I always find that foreigners are intrigued by the fact that I am Maltese, and they always want to know how the country is faring. This is an exciting time for Malta, and an exciting time to be Maltese.”
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