Synthetic Palazzo is the reconfiguration and extension of a traditional double-fronted townhouse typical of the Sliema–St Julian’s area, a building that had undergone numerous incremental alterations over time, diluting its original architectural character. The project begins with a careful process of removal and reinstatement, stripping back later additions in order to recover the clarity of the original house at the front of the site. Internally, the spatial qualities of the piano nobile—defined by generous proportions, high ceilings and retained architectural elements—are preserved and reinforced, while the ground floor is reorganised to restore legibility and continuity. At the rear, the existing fabric is reinterpreted through the introduction of a loggia overlooking the garden, re-establishing a meaningful relationship between interior space and landscape.

To accommodate contemporary domestic requirements beyond the capacity of the original structure, a new addition is introduced as a detached volume set within the garden and connected to the historic house by a lightweight bridge. This separation allows the old and new to coexist without compromise, forming a central courtyard reminiscent of a Baroque palazzo typology. While the historic building is treated with restraint and respect, the new volume adopts a contemporary construction logic, employing a system of prefabricated, reconstituted stone blocks designed and fabricated with high precision. Internally, the addition is organised around a sequence of interlinked spaces, double-height volumes and mezzanines, opening onto the garden through large arched apertures that blur the boundary between inside and outside. The project extends below ground through the careful reuse of existing subterranean structures, integrating new functions within historic reservoirs and shelters. Synthetic Palazzo demonstrates an approach rooted in adaptation rather than replacement, using architectural clarity, material innovation and spatial continuity to reconcile heritage with contemporary living.