Studio Cachoua Torres Camilleti. Installation view at Palazzo Mora, 2016.

While time, space, and existence are complex and profound notions, in the context of the 15th International Architecture Exhibition, "Reporting from the Front", and with relation to our professional work, these concepts take a very specific and significant meaning for us. These definitions help in illuminating our conception of architecture as well as our core beliefs:
Time
As architects we understand time as our historic context and our place in architectural history. This is specifically important for us since we believe that architecture can only be understood by understanding the cultural and historical context that created it. As a result of this, we find it imperative to have a vast knowledge of architectural theory and history, not as an academic pursuit, but as a practical way for appreciating other firm’s work as well as being able to define our own posture towards architecture.
We know the moment we stop asking what the future of architecture will look like is when we should retire from this profession. We believe in looking forward and not backwards, but we also think of ourselves as historical beings whose work consists in creating spaces in a specific moment in time and for a specific user. This is why we do not believe in historicist solutions or the harvesting of older typologies that served another society in another time.
Space
While space is the very essence of architecture, for us it poses a significant challenge. Space is the end product of our work and thus it must be interesting, inviting, sculptoric, and perhaps sometimes shocking; but it must always have an intrinsic value and be unique. In our practice, coming up with such spaces is never a straightforward process but rather an intricate and convoluted process full of doubt and experimentation.
In this sense, doubt and experimentation are the cornerstones of our practice. We constantly doubt and question our solutions and preconceptions, and we experiment with form freely, never fearing making mistakes; mistakes are the only true road to knowledge and wisdom. It is here where conceptual architectural competitions have proved to be a priceless instrument in this learning process. They allow for the exploration for alternatives to preconceived notions and spatial experimentation without some of the economic, political, and contextual restrictions of real life projects.
Existence
Existence in our comprehension is the most fundamental part of the architectural endeavor. An architectural space correctly situated in a specific time will not amount to anything without the sentient subject. In a Kantian way, without subject there is no object. It is the mere existence of the subject that gives sense to our efforts.
The successful relationship between space and subject goes further than the mere compliance with an architectural program or the correct ergonomic solution of a space. It should intimately speak to the user to move them towards experiencing the space, to appropriate it. This, in our vision, is the only gauge of success for a project. Our work is summarized in this idea: we strive for appropriation, and this has always been a goal throughout every decision of the design process.