The sketch is where everything begins for us, acting as constant companion since Chris Briffa Architects was founded in 2004. The sketch guides projects from first ideas through construction and beyond completion, gestating ideas past a project’s realisation. Established as a creative space for unhurried architecture, design, artworks, and publications, our studio’s process is deeply focused on detail, beauty, and context.

Our work spans heritage adaptations and new-build projects across residential, workplace, industrial, furniture, product, and installation design. We are known for hospitality projects that explore conscientious approaches to travel, dining, and temporary living. Our drive is equal across all projects: to shape the contemporary, and to create design that is built around the lives and ambitions of our clients.

Our approach is grounded in observation and respect for place. Chris studied architecture at the University of Malta, Virginia Tech(US) and the Politecnico di Milano – a roaming education that shapes the practice. The core team brings the same breadth: Leroy Merks graduated from TU Eindhoven, spending seven years in Japan before joining in 2019; Aidan Azzopardi Muscat studied at the University of Malta and graduated from TU Delft, joining in 2023.

Alongside design work, we are committed to documenting architectural processes through writing and publishing. Valletta Files was published in 2019, followed by Casa Bottega: Before, During, and After Us, which was featured in Monocle’s February 2025 trends forecast issue.

Through lectures, publications, and international participation, we remain actively engaged in the wider culture of design. In 2011, Malta Design Week was launched, positioning it as the islands’ first serious cross-disciplinary, public platform on design. More recently, Chris served as juror at the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture –the EUMies Awards.

We are based in Valletta. Our projects are designed for both local and distant contexts.