This contemporary family home located in Naxxar, Malta encompasses everything required by its owners and was constructed on an especially compact site of just 250 sq.m. Hanging House is the design of a young local architect, Chris Briffa, who was not fazed by the challenge, as he believes that architecture is ‘not so much about size as proportion and choice of material.’

Entrance to the home is via a metal stairway which leads into a hallway and the long, double height living room and kitchen space. A separate dining area is set within a glass walled space which is cantilevered over the 12 meter long swimming pool, a wonderful space saving plan, leaving ample garden space for the family to enjoy. The private areas on the upper level, two bedrooms and bathrooms have more modest windows, providing the essential element of privacy in this semi-built up area. A small music room has also been provided and a home office is in the lower level, which shares a wall with the pool, providing reflected light from the water which creates a unique atmosphere in the semi-basement.

Low energy methods of cooling and heating have been employed wherever possible including monitored cross ventilation and a water based underfloor heating system. The space above the main staircase ensures the redistribution of air and acts as a cooling tower. The surrounding garden is planted with olive trees, completing this well thought out design, which resulted from a high degree of mutual trust between the architect and the clients.