Mulberries a place where guests experience local hospitality.
The Mulberries, a traditional central-courtyard farmhouse adapted to create a tranquil place where the renowned Maltese hospitality is being redefined to its origins. The simplicity of the vernacular architecture where the outside spaces are as equally important as the indoor areas, the human scale, the orientation and setting, together with the hues, textures, play of sun and shade are key elements.
Local
Malta
Hza-Zabbar Marsascla
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
Yes
2021-12-31
As an individual
First name: Aaron Last name: Abela Gender: Male Nationality: Malta Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Mulberries, Wied ta' Mazza Road Town: Haz-Zabbar Postal code: ZBR 3850 Country: Malta Direct Tel:+356 79639410 E-mail:aaronabela424@gmail.com
Our project involved the low-impact restoration of Mulberries, a 300-year-old farmhouse structure located in the rural hamlet of Zabbar, Malta, together with an extension built mostly with salvaged materials and following local traditional construction systems. The repurposed use of this building is primarily for high-end tourist accommodation with a difference – one that prizes and promotes the locality’s strong rural and cultural identity for our guests’ discovery and wellbeing. The hospitality operation is family owned and run.
Our focus has always been to provide a real, authentic sense of place. In bringing our vision to completion, we created a homely, family-run environment where one gets to experience first-hand true local hospitality with a personal touch. We aim to give holidaymakers a genuine taste of the local throughout their stay, and to instil a positive feeling of familiarity and belonging in this sunny corner of the Mediterranean.
The building’s aesthetically discerning accommodations and facilities are designed with principles of inclusion, accessibility, and affordability in mind. They work hand in hand with the operational side of the business, where we continuously seek to share a tangible feeling of home and connection with our guests.
Mulberries, fundamentally, is all about sustainable hospitality. Sustainability is rooted in every part of the building, its regeneration, and the practices within. From the first line drawn in creating the blueprints for the place, minimal impact on the environment was set as a priority – and a mission.
Through this project, we communicate daily our respect for the natural environment and our surroundings, traditional vernacular architecture, local culture and heritage, and our vision for the long-term sustainability of our property and its business offering.
Sustainable hospitality
Wellbeing
Local identity
Vernacular heritage
Zero waste
The main objective at the heart of our project was reducing the carbon footprint as much as possible during the construction phase and later in Mulberries’ daily operation. Adopting a zero-waste approach, we actually turned waste into a resource, salvaging tonnes of local stone and materials. Where not reclaimed, materials were sourced from the vicinities to minimise transportation-generated emissions. Raw materials not available locally were sourced responsibly from sustainably managed suppliers.
The place incorporates passive and active energy principles and practices. To counter local buildings’ reliance on mechanical cooling systems that generate global warming emissions, Mulberries boasts features that drastically reduce heat gains in a passive manner. Environmental design best practices include a central courtyard, borrowed from Mediterranean vernacular architecture, which renders the building naturally responsive to seasonal changes. It’s joined by high-efficiency external timber apertures, loggias for enhanced cross-ventilation, double-leaf and cavity external walls, and shaded areas. The white-washed roofs contain an insulation layer to guarantee optimal thermal performance.
We implemented an intelligent water management system via a purposely created underground reservoir. This harvests around 300㎥ of rainwater run-off annually for irrigation purposes, washing floors, and flushing systems. As part of a no-plastic-water-bottle policy, our drinking water comes from an on-site reverse osmosis plant. We also invested in an extensive solar water heating system, in line with our renewable energy solutions ethos.
Sustainable practices in our day-to-day operation include cultivation/procurement of local seasonal produce for guests’ consumption; careful sourcing of eco-friendly toiletries; room cleaning and linen change service by request to support energy conservation efforts; reducing pre-packaged foodstuffs and offering fresh, homemade alternatives.
Through Mulberries’ restoration and operation, we aimed to ensure the upkeep of the building and to contribute to the improvement of the surrounding rural environment, alongside promoting tourism in this off-the-beaten-track island spot.
Deviating from current trends of short-lived hospitality construction, Mulberries’ durable design exhibits a timeless aesthetic through a respectful reinterpretation of vernacular architectural elements and local craftsmanship. Nestled in Zabbar’s rural scenery, the property is in harmony with the natural surroundings. It sits ageing gracefully, enriching the landscape as much as it is itself enhanced by the picturesque backdrop.
The design goal was to beautifully elevate the traditional aesthetic, sustainably. Minimal, low-impact intervention ensured the preservation of the Maltese rural environment and architectural aesthetic. Our efforts aimed to create a widespread appreciation of the integral beauty of the Maltese countryside, promote our rich indigenous culinary culture, and build awareness of artisan practices that are part of our heritage.
Meeting these objectives is our sustainable hospitality model targeting discerning holidaymakers in search of an authentic local experience. Our easily accessible, well-connected location leads to new and surprising discoveries, as this more remote part of the Maltese Islands reveals itself as a gem that keeps on delighting.
Mulberries has consistently served as a starting point for enriching experiences within easy reach – village discovery, partaking in feasts and cultural traditions, browsing outdoor markets and savouring local delicacies, trekking the scenic coastline, and touring the rich historical landmarks. One is invited to explore the local life that awaits right outside our doorstep or a bus ride away.
Creating a sense of true wellbeing and connection for a positive, memorable holiday experience has been our definition of quality hospitality – and our success.
The Mulberries project was conceived and continues to operate with a couple of key inclusion aspects in mind.
Structurally and design-wise, accessibility for all was a key objective from the get-go. Ramps and a lift were constructed in line with local authorities’ guidelines and requirements. Going a step further to enable us to exercise low-energy sustainability, where possible we favoured the use of passive structures rather than mechanical means for guests’ mobility. To this effect, our design features several comfortable and fully compliant ramps for easy access throughout the property, with a lift facility installed only where necessary.
The business side of the project focuses on providing a high-end hospitality service that is affordable for all. Our simple, small-scale, family operation sees the property owners fully involved as hosts. The family’s control of all aspects of the daily running of Mulberries has allowed us to meet our objectives of not inflating the accommodation prices, implementing effective waste reduction practices, and responsibly managing energy consumption to ensure the building’s and the business’s long-term sustainability.
The vision for this project has always been to showcase authenticity of place in a personal, direct way that goes beyond ordinary, conventional offerings holidaymakers are used to. By doing things differently in our interaction with guests, we have succeeded in involving – directly and indirectly – and giving back to the community we form part of. Ensuring the value of contribution and creating community-building opportunities have always been a priority goal of our enterprise.
By guiding guests about local food culture, pointing them to nearby artisan practices and traditional crafts, and sharing our knowledge of the area, its history, and what it can offer, we organically created business and tourism opportunities for the locality of Zabbar and the island’s southern region.
Our direct engagement with guests is having a positive impact on small local businesses and enterprises within Mulberries’ proximity, particularly those willing to engage with discerning tourists in search of an educational cultural experience.
Our initiatives are helping sustain the local community network, with a view to eventually becoming a space for further and bigger business opportunities through setting up artisan markets and other seasonal events on-site.
In addition to attracting tourism and enabling related business in the area, Mulberries is serving as a platform for promoting different types of wellbeing practices. Creating awareness of experiences available locally, alongside making the premises available for wellness and meditation workshops, crafts practice sessions, and similar activities, has brought added value to both our guests and the organisers involved.
Support for local agriculture is achieved daily by showcasing fresh, quality produce from the area for guests to sample. In the process, we have generated sustained demand for the local product, which has the additional goal of encouraging sustainable agricultural practices within our farming community.
Mulberries’ conception, execution, and operation have been a family initiative all along. The prime promoters of the project, husband and wife Aaron and Jesabel Abela, remained the main stakeholders throughout. The couple self-sufficiently managed the project development and now runs the hospitality business as a family enterprise.
Supporting the stakeholders’ vision through to the project’s completion were a number of different technical people and suppliers. These were engaged to lend their expertise and provide specialised assistance throughout the construction, renovation, and design phase.
Mulberries is the vision of Aaron Abela and his wife Jesabel, who live adjacent to the Mulberries property in the locality of Zabbar. The two worked closely together to make their personally conceived project a reality, and to execute their vision and ideas as faithfully as possible.
Heading the project was Aaron, an architect and civil engineer by profession who specialises in the conservation and rehabilitation of historical buildings. With more than 20 years’ experience in the field and having worked on multiple local conservation projects, Aaron combined his trademark sensitive and respectful approach towards existing historical structures with contemporarily relevant design ideas to transform the existing building.
Overseeing the project from start to finish, Aaron not only provided his professional insight, but also actively lent his craftsmanship skills to the construction and renovation of the property.
In collaboration with Aaron, Jesabel contributed her expertise as an environmental health inspector during the project’s construction and renovation phases. She later applied her knowledge and experience as a professional estate manager to set up Mulberries’ hospitality business operation.
To live up to their sustainability principle in all aspects of the building, Aaron and Jesabel were occasionally assisted by technical experts and materials and technology suppliers at different stages of construction and design.
Mulberries’ accomplishments have achieved a regained sense of belonging in the specificity of place through promotion of the local in its diverse aspects.
We have reached very positive occupancy rates at Mulberries since its soft opening in December 2021. By marketing our rural destination, we have established a successful niche tourism experience in this less touristic part of the Maltese Islands.
Visitors seeking an uncommon, authentic holiday itinerary are drawn to our invitation to sample first-hand our area’s culture and identity by integrating with the local community. Zabbar and the neighbouring towns and villages become a shared space for connection between visitor and local – a process that enriches both on many levels.
Mulberries is an ongoing project that keeps evolving and reaping advantages for a diverse spectrum of beneficiaries. Not only has the project created direct employment opportunities at the premises, but it also has its indirect beneficiaries through the exposure and promotion of local businesses, increasing their activity and prosperity.
The community at large, too, has benefited from the upgrading of the local aesthetic and surrounding environment that Mulberries has brought about. We have witnessed the impact Mulberries has had in promoting aesthetic awareness on a communal level.
We hope that this elevated sense of place – alongside respect and care for our heritage and environment – sets a resoundingly positive example to be followed by the local community.
The Mulberries project sought to address a gap we had identified in the tourism market across the southern part of the Maltese Islands.
Mainstream accommodation in the region is mainly self-catering, and often requires the more costly rental of an entire property. This kind of arrangement also leaves very little space for visitors to interact with the local host in real-time to help them feel at home and receive helpful, tried-and-tested holiday tips.
Our innovative niche tourism concept goes beyond mainstream offerings through a personalised service provided in our homely environment. This way, we successfully revalued – and added value to – Maltese hospitality by highlighting and strengthening the connection with real local life. By valorising the area’s traditions and roots, we offer holidaymakers an authentic taste of the place beyond the common tourist spots and usual recommendations.
Ultimately, bringing people of different nations to experience a new culture and feel a sense of belonging in a previously unfamiliar place is what gives us a competitive edge.
Through Mulberries, we have created both an energy-efficient building and a tailored hospitality experience that can sustain themselves, evolve, and thrive over the years – as will our diverse customer base and the many connections and friendships made.
Aligned with our sustainable business plan, our vision for the building design’s transformation was geared towards the principle of long-term sustainability through maximal use of readily available natural elements.
Unlike standard modern accommodation facilities – constructed from synthetic materials that are not built to last, and which lose their freshness and relevance after two decades – the Mulberries building innovatively embodies a classic, timeless aesthetic and durable design to guarantee longevity.
Our approach in carrying out the Mulberries project was hinged on three key values: sustainable, local, and simple.
To guarantee the lowest carbon footprint and to ensure that our accommodation would be attainable by a diverse customer base, we opted to utilise natural, physical, and human resources at our disposal wherever possible. As part of our long-term vision, we meticulously adopted simple, effective, and efficient local traditional construction practices and methods which resulted in a finished product with a sustainable lifespan.
We took no shortcuts in any aspect to stay true to our mission to generate the least possible waste, create a self-sustaining building and business model, and offer simple, genuine, local hospitality to our guests.
The model of this sustainably designed property and business can be replicated anywhere in the world with the right willingness, care, dedication, and unwavering commitment to its vision. A driving power and strong belief without recourse to mainstream practices are key to the project’s successful implementation and application in similar contexts.
The project’s fundamental principles of utmost respect for the environment and the local landscape, combined with a love of and desire to transmit intrinsic local values and elements, can be transposed to business and community-based initiatives having similar outcomes and goals.
From an operational perspective, the service too can be replicated to suit diverse business initiatives in other regions and countries. Locally, we’re already witnessing how in just over a year, Mulberries is helping shape current trends in hospitality offerings through a recent boost in similar activities available on the market. Local culinary-themed events, creative workshops, yoga retreats, and other activities that have formed part of Mulberries’ program over the past months have positively inspired others to design similar experiences for Maltese and international consumers.
In the face of an increasingly challenged global natural environment scenario, the Mulberries project is a testament to our resolute commitment to playing our part in caring for and preserving our planet and habitat.
Our water harvesting efforts provide a solution to our limited local water resources. They also help combat, on a small scale, issues that present themselves at the other end of the spectrum, namely flooding caused by excess rainwater across the islands.
By implementing solar-powered heating systems and making use of abundant and readily available direct solar heat, we have greatly reduced emissions typically generated by mechanical heating systems and which contribute to increased global warming.
Architectural features created for the purpose of passive cooling and natural ventilation in the warmer months also minimise the use of conventional cooling systems, thereby reducing dependency on electric supply.
The recycling of industrial materials throughout the construction phase also achieved the desired result of shrinking the project’s carbon footprint.
Our daily efforts to source local products from the area, ensure efficient energy consumption wherever possible, and promote public transport to our guests also aim to minimise waste and lessen our operations’ impact on the environment.
