Ian Critien
Biography
ABOUT
Ian Critien is a partner at CVC Architecture Studio, a well-known contemporary architecture firm based in Malta, He established the firm, alongside his partner, Andrea Vassallo Cesareo in 2011. Known for his result-driven approach, Ian blends hard work and dedication in every project, striving for excellence and innovation. His passion for architecture is evident in the award-winning designs that reflect the ethos of CVC architecture; that is a blend of innovative yet contextual architecture that respects sustainable practices. As a great team leader, Ian fosters a collaborative environment that empowers his colleagues to bring their best ideas to the table, ensuring that each project benefits from diverse perspectives and expertise. His commitment to community engagement reflects his belief that architecture should enhance the lives of those who inhabit the spaces the practice designs, solidifying CVC Architecture Studio’s reputation as a leader in the Maltese architectural landscape.
AWARDS OF THE SPEAKER
• B.E.&A. (Hons.) (2006) Architecture & Civil Engineering
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFICE
CVCarchitecture studio is a contemporary architecture practice based in Valletta, Malta. We specialise in mid-size, unique residential and commercial projects, but also have experience in larger-scale schemes. The practice was founded in January 2011 by Andrea Vassallo Cesareo and Ian Critien, both architects by profession with experience in various fields. Since then, the practice has grown in size and in reputation: we have been recognised through various awards and nominations – both nationally and internationally. We are a small office, but with a lot of passion for what we do. Being small means that we can offer a personal service to our clients, and we take pride in the positive, lasting relationships that we create. At CVCarchitecture studio we operate an efficient team of professionals. We offer a range of skills and experience in all areas related to architectural design, interior design & detailing including project management and we work to ensure the most appropriate mix of resourcing is assigned to each project. We take pride in providing a dedicated and personalized service to our clients whilst aiming to achieve both efficiency and consistency in how we manage our projects.
AWARDS OF THE STUDIO
• Din l-art Helwa award for architectural heritage 2015
• Malta Architect awards 2016 – Hospitality and Leisure
• Malta Architect awards 2017 – Housing Architecture special commendation
• KTP Galizia Awards 2018 – Quality Architecture Award
• KTP Galizia Awards 2018 – President’s Award for best overall project
• EU Mies Van Der Rohe award 2019 – Nomination for European union prize for Contemporary Architecture
• MASP architecture awards 2021 – Residential Architecture award special commendation
• MASP architecture awards 2024 – Interior Architecture Award for Residential Projects special commendation
• KTP Galizia awards 2024 – Heritage Preservation award
PROJECTS TO BE PRESENTED DURING THE EVENT
Project #1: Macuda
Project #1 Category: Sigle House (individual use)
Start year: 08.06.2023
“MACUDA” A home for Six by CVCarchitecture Macuda is a fully detached villa on a site of circa 500squ.m in the residential area of San Pawl Targa, Malta. The dwelling has a basement level with an overlying elevated ground floor and first floor level and a receded room at roof level. It is a home designed for a family of six incorporating all necessary amenities for comfortable contemporary living. Maximising on the available spaces and directly linking the interiors to the external surrounding garden areas was a priority and the main focus in the design scheme, ensuring enough room for the numerous family members as well as for entertaining all year round.
Project #2: House_13
Project #2 Category: Sigle House (individual use)
Start year: 16.03.2022
House_13 is a newly built house in a villa area, which involved excavation, construction, and finishing, but you wouldn’t notice it right away. A particular feature of this house is that it is set back and hidden from the surrounding streets, screened by abundant vegetation and surrounded by vernacular boundary walls. The contemporary building gradually comes into view as one approaches it along the private driveway. The architects’ brief was to exploit the site’s sloping location to maximise the views while maintaining privacy and seclusion, and to build in functional and entertainment areas to accommodate a young family.
Project #3: Lembut – a family home for a car collector
Project #3 Category: Sigle House (individual use)
Start year: 29.10.2021
The site previously consisted of a commercial garage, incongruously set within a traditional village core. The existing building was set to be demolished and a new home would rise in its stead. The brief was to build a comfortable, contemporary home for a couple and their three children, whilst being able to house the homeowners’ classic car collection. The name Lembut means funnel in Maltese; the owner jokingly came up with this name due to the widening shape of the site; and it stuck! This awkward shape, however, presented a number of challenges to the execution of this project. Additionally, it was later discovered that the site was an old, backfilled quarry and therefore could not be excavated. The idea to store the car collection in the basement had to be scrapped, and a new solution had to be sought. This adversity turned out to be the defining feature of this house.