UNPACKING HOMELESSNESS

Dar il-Fergha is a semi-independently focused housing, which aims to house 12 singles, titled as ‘homeless’ due to a rough moment in their life, and that's why it was designed on the concept of providing essentials to them.

Different spaces throughout the building offer both communal and private opportunities. The kitchen is the first room when entering the building, and it has a table large enough to seat all of the residents (12 in total), which contributes to the sense of community and family that these people crave. On the other hand, balconies that connect the rooms provide each individual with their own private space (12 balconies), as well as access to light and air.

Additionally, outdoor spaces within the building, such as the open staircase and the rooftop, serve to create a sense of live movement with the intent of building awareness. The inhabitants are not there to be put on display but rather to be seen as real, i.e. the reality of the homelessness situation in Malta that many might take for granted.