Calling all Vallettaphiles! Famed Architect Chris Briffa to release swanky new publication
From the design firm that's consistently made Malta proud comes a highly anticipated new publication by the name of 'Valletta Files'. The book, set to be released at the end of November, is a retrospective of the genius design work by famed Matese architect Chris Briffa, and is being waited for with baited breath, already having almost sold out on pre-order!
Luckily, there's still chance to get your hands on one of the last remaining copies, which explore the beautiful portfolio of the design house's projects, specifically in Valletta, Malta's gorgeous capital city.
Valletta was first built in the times of the Knights Of Saint John, when the architect of the moment was Girolamo Cassar, who designed high-profile landmarks such as St John's Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster's Palace and the Auberge De Castille, amongst many others. Nowadays, some of Valletta's coolest new structures and conversions are down to the modern firm, Chris Briffa Architects.
From Strait Street's new Jazz music performance platform at The Gut, to the same street's funky public conveniences, Chris Briffa Architects has been at the forefront of the gentrification and much-needed modernisation of the city, (in the best way possible!).
The book zones in on every project completed in Valletta, hence its title - from interiors in houses of character to boutique hotels and palazzos. It also includes unseen works of plans and proposals not yet realised, including a total underground car park well below the whole city of Valletta, dug deep into the bedrock and operated with lifts dotted around the city to render Valletta completely pedestrianised. Cool!
And who can forget that award-winning open gallarija breakthrough, the aptly named Gallarija Miftuħa, unveiled to the city back in 2015, and now patented and manufactured by the design firm along with Vassallo Joiners. What a revolutionary game changer!
The swanky hardback book is sure to be a hit with architecture lovers this Christmas, and would make the perfect gift for students and all lovers of beautiful design.
As well as glossy visuals of dream homes and layout drawings of projects built and proposed over the past 15 years, it also comes chockablock with testimonials from the likes of homeowners, hotel guests and high-profile architects including Richard England, all singing the praises of Chris Briffa Architects' imagination.
At €50, it comes at a welcomed price. When asked why 'Valletta Files' was priced as so, Chris Briffa replies modestly. "It has to be accessible to inspire others. Everyone is giving up hope in architecture because of overdevelopment, so hopefully this project could show that, if you don't give up, these things are possible. Hopefully this book can make a difference." Inspiring words indeed!
The last remaining books are still available to purchase online, and we're incredibly excited to get our hands on one of these books this year. We can definitely see this coffee table book having pride of place in any design lover's home!