PENDERGARDENS

A study in sculptural minimalism

THE COMMISSION

A shell-form duplex penthouse awaited transformation. The client entrusted us with complete creative governance from conceptual design through to execution. The brief: realise a space with the bearing of a presidential suite within a luxury hotel.

This bachelor residence demanded a different spatial logic than our typical projects. The glass block structure, devoid of walls, presented both opportunity and challenge for our design team.

THE EVOLUTION

Our proposition necessitated a fundamental reconfiguration of the intended layout. The staircase relocation proved so consequential that the building’s engineers were consulted to ensure structural integrity for our sculptural centrepiece.

The penthouse’s most compelling attribute – its double-height volume – became the nucleus around which all design decisions orbited. Here, architectural possibility met technical precision.

MATERIAL NARRATIVE

Mirrors were employed to capture and multiply the panoramic views. Walnut panelling wraps the double-height atrium, creating a portal of warmth upon entry.

The lower floor features Microresin grey surfaces that flow seamlessly across floors and bathroom walls in an uninterrupted plane, one that is void of joints and that amplifies spatial perception. Upper floors introduce walnut timber, establishing a clear material distinction between social and private domains.

TECHNICAL MASTERY

Intelligence resides within the walls. We picked from across Astral’s technologies to orchestrate climate, illumination, security, and sound. PLH button switches replace conventional elements, bringing tactile refinement to everyday interactions.

The staircase, beyond its sculptural presence, serves as a spatial liberator, maximising utility on both levels while preserving the impact of the double-height volume.

CONSIDERED COMPOSITION

From the bathroom dresser to the wardrobe interiors, from the steam shower to the outdoor curved sofa, every element underwent custom design. The property was approached as a complete Poliform Home, demanding bespoke solutions throughout.

Architectural lighting by Viabizzuno was integrated with precision, including profile luminaires embedded within custom cladding. LED sources of exceptional quality create distinct atmospheric conditions through programmable scenes.

ARTISTIC DIALOGUE

Select pieces from FREDRIKSON STALLARD, including cast white bronze planters and the SPECIES sofa from the MoMA Collection, were curated with our Creative Director’s counsel. These elements introduce an artistic vocabulary that elevates the interior.

THE REVELATION

Sophistication reveals itself in the details. These include concealed doors, pocket entrances, a hidden television unit, and a discreet bar accompanying the library wall. Slim lighting profiles maintain clean architectural lines throughout.

The cohesive material palette, consistent from lower to upper level, and the seamless collaboration between Poliform and oneprojects, delivered a unified expression.

THE IMPRESSION

Upon completion, the client acknowledged the achievement in unequivocal terms as “the most beautifully finished property in Malta.”

What distinguishes this project is, of course, its exceptional quality, but also its singular vision. Few properties on the island have achieved this calibre of design execution and material integrity.

This is a duplex where warm and cool tones converse, where entertaining becomes ceremony, and where everyday life is elevated to art.

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