A sensitive conversion of two interconnected studio apartments on Ordinance Street, Valletta, designed for flexible short and long stay living within a modernist historic envelope.

Ordinance Apartments is the conversion of a historic property on Ordinance Street, Valletta, into two interconnected studio apartments designed to accommodate both short stays and extended visits. The project combines a minimal intervention strategy with a complete interior redesign, creating compact yet highly functional living spaces within the constraints of the existing structure.

Located at a prominent corner, the principal studio enjoys panoramic views that span Valletta’s architectural timeline, from the historic mass of St John’s Cavalier to the contemporary silhouette of Renzo Piano’s Parliament Building. Preserving this relationship with the city was central to the design approach.

The original façade and apertures were carefully retained, while a secondary layer of sliding glazed apertures was introduced to improve thermal and acoustic performance. This new operable skin allows multiple configurations, enabling the apartments to open fully to the city or remain enclosed, while revealing integrated fold-down desks and dining surfaces positioned to frame the views.

The interiors are organised around bespoke joinery elements that integrate storage, sleeping areas, kitchenettes and bathrooms within a compact footprint. Material selection draws from Valletta’s architectural character, combining Travertino Romano with warm yellow travertine accents, particularly within the bathrooms, to create a restrained palette that complements the surrounding limestone cityscape.

Through strategic structural alterations and carefully crafted interventions, the project transforms an existing building into a flexible residential environment that balances heritage, comfort and contemporary urban living.