Architecture and design in Malta to make another showing at the World Architecture Festival, with Naxxar House being selected as a finalist for the House and Villa (Rural/Coastal) category for the 2025 edition.
The World Architecture Festival (WAF) is the largest global event celebrating architectural excellence. It is a three-day gathering where architects, designers, and industry leaders from around the world come together to showcase, critique, and celebrate the best in architecture and interior design. In WAF, finalists present their projects live to expert juries. It has a global reach with entries received from all continents, and categories from skyscrapers and schools to cultural centers and eco-parks.
Naxxar House is a sensitive restoration and extension to a historic residence, and was designed by AP Valletta, one of Malta’s leading architecture and design firms. Located in the village of Naxxar, the project merges centuries-old limestone structures with contemporary interventions, preserving the building’s character while introducing a refined spatial clarity and enabling modern living.
The project, led by Rosanne Asciak, partner at AP Valletta, and Konrad Buhagiar, founding partner, exemplifies the studio’s approach of layering heritage with innovation. Their rigorous and talented team has created a space that speaks to both Maltese vernacular architecture and contemporary global design values. The result is a house that is deeply rooted in its context yet forward-looking in form and function.
Now competing alongside international architectural residences designed by Sordo Madaleno (Mexico), Peter Braithwaite Studio (Canada), Atelier Global Limited (China), Chris Tate Architecture (New Zealand), Adrian James Architects (UK), and Strang Design (USA), among others, Naxxar House stands out for its understated elegance and cultural sensitivity.
The 2025 World Architecture Festival, scheduled for 12–14 November at the Miami Beach Convention Center, in Miami, will showcase the best in global architecture. Naxxar House’s inclusion in the Completed Buildings – House and Villa (Rural/Coastal) category is a testament to its outstanding design, craftsmanship, and the growing international recognition of Maltese architecture.