PLACES NoVeMBer 201450

Workspace

PLACESNoVeMBer 2014 51

eNTraNces to offices are often overlooked – the dumping

ground of old furniture, uncomfortable chairs and outdated

magazines – and decorating them can prove to be a headache.

This is usually because they come at the tail end of a mega

renovation – when budgets have been exceeded and the coffers

run dry.

in the case of old buildings, which have lots of character, the

train of thought is often that the appreciation of their history will

overshadow the final ‘look’ of the entrance. so old pieces of

furniture find new homes here and the outcome is a space that

lacks soul and warmth.

Waiting rooms, receptions, foyers, anterooms, lobbies and halls

can leave a positive or negative impact on a visitor, who ends up

creating a first impression of the professionalism of a company,

how established it is and the level of service it can offer.

They say you cannot judge a book by its

cover. But you do! Just as you judge how

established a company is and its level of

professionalism from the state of its reception

and waiting area. Michele o’reilly adds those

touches that really make a visitor feel

welcome, comfortable and in the right place.

THe eNTraNceis THeTeaser

pHoTos: roBerTas riaBoVas

PLACES NoVeMBer 201452

Workspace

PLACESNoVeMBer 2014

But it goes beyond that too: the first impression begins even before entering

the building. and in the case of this office space, when you turn into the street.

st Frederick street has all the charm and quaintness that you can hope for, so it is

important not to be disappointed once you walk into the building.

The entrance sets the tone not only for those working there, but also for any

visitor who has an appointment in the building. The bar is already raised and one can

only hope for a continuation of professionalism.

overall design is very important and an entrance should be aloof without being

too daunting – a ‘teaser’ for want of a better word!

DesigNer Michele o’reilly.

DesTiNaTioN conversion of a palazzo to serviced office space in a narrow alley in

Valletta.

DescripTioN after an extensive renovation, the final touches are often left by the

wayside and, in this case, while the major structural works were completed, i came in

to give it my interpretation of what i thought would be appropriate for a lasting first

impression when entering the building.

although the double-fronted, large, wooden doors are imposing, the alley is too

narrow to actually stand back and appreciate the façade, so i envisaged an entrance

whereby the double doors would always remain open, inviting you into a space that

was ambiguous in its function, yet sophisticated and enchanting in its outcome.

i wanted the passer-by to wonder what went on beyond closed doors, so there

are no obvious telltale signs to give the game away.

the fine leather hand-stitched

door handles, the antique

polished silver light switches

and the silk handmade shades

are all small touches that help

create this sophisticated space

53

PLACES NoVeMBer 201454

Workspace

The contrast between the old

and the new is obvious, and while

the focal point is the statue in

the alcove in the background,

i wanted to attract the viewer to

the foreground.

so i concentrated mainly on

this area and that’s where the

quirky ‘lollipop’ chandelier makes

you do a double take; the statue

is quickly forgotten and the fine

details of the pieces of furniture

in the entrance are worth noting.

The desk, where the

receptionist sits, appears to be

floating as the oak top sits on

glass legs. The idea here is that,

as you look up the stairs, you then

focus on the statue beyond.

i think it is imperative to

allocate a substantial budget

for the finishing touches of the

entrance to any property as this

is the calling card to any business.

in this case, the fine leather hand-

stitched door handles, the antique

polished silver light switches and

the silk handmade shades are all

small touches that help create this

sophisticated space.

FroM THe DraWiNg

BoarD Nowadays, when we

present designs to clients, the

end result is very much a true

representation of what was

proposed on paper. This makes

everyone’s life much easier

because the client can visualise

the end result from the outset.

in terms of hindrances in the

execution of the project, humidity

was one area that needed to be

addressed because, very often,

these building have wells below

them, which are a nightmare to

keep under control where rising

damp is concerned.