Auberge d’Aragon was built in 1571 to house the Knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of Aragon, Navarre, and Catalonia. It is the only surviving auberge in Valletta which retains its original Mannerist design by the architect Girolamo Cassar, albeit with some modifications such as the addition of the neoclassical portico to the façade in the 19th century. Throughout the years, the building was also used as a printing press, a school, and as a hospital during World War II, besides also housing the Office of the Prime Minister between 1921 and 1933, and again between 1947 and 1972. It has since housed various government ministries, with the current being the Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction since 2020.
Auberge d'Aragon


Venue Location:
designMT visiting hours:
29.09.2025 – 03.10.2025
10:00h-20:00h
04.10.2025
10:00h-23:00h
Free Entrance
List of Exhibitors
1
Supper Club
Supper Club is an intimate dinner set designed for two that evokes the convivial atmosphere of a private dining experience. Comprising serving plates prepared for their arrival, the set reflects years of exploration in form, technique, and surface. While rooted in function, it deliberately departs from traditional expectations, shifting visual focus from food to the tableware itself. Drawing on the artist’s extensive experience producing bespoke pieces for renowned restaurants – including many featured in the Michelin Guide – this work celebrates individuality and the performative nature of dining, transforming tableware from a supporting role into a central part of the culinary narrative.
Sue Mifsud
Sue Mifsud is a Malta-based ceramics designer working full-time from her Rabat studio. Trained at the Glasgow School of Art and with over 30 years of experience, she specialises in thrown functional ware crafted from stoneware clay. Her pieces often feature detailed textures and vibrant studio-made glazes that highlight both form and surface. Inspired by nature, stories, people, and emotions, Sue creates bespoke designs for prestigious restaurants, unique commissions for private clients, and a range of ready-made items available off the shelf.

2
Weavature
Weavature is a contemporary reinterpretation of a centuries-old Maltese weaving tradition, transforming hand-woven fabric into the defining element of a sculptural chair. Conceived by I+A, its form and structure emerged through a design-led exploration, while innovative tapestry patterns were woven by Antoine Vella and draped over a curved steel frame crafted by Christian Bezzina of Medina Steels. Shaped through close exchanges between studio and workshop, the piece fuses heritage and modernity. Its development was supported by the Malta Crafts Foundation after being awarded the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti award for Inspiring Artisanship and Innovation through Collaboration.
I+A x Antoine Vella x Christian Bezzina
I+A is a multidisciplinary design studio in Malta, founded in 2018 by architects, technologists, and creatives. Their work spans architecture, interiors, furniture, and public art, merging digital tools with traditional processes to create culturally grounded designs.
Antoine Vella, a seventh-generation weaver from Rabat, has spent over forty years preserving Malta’s textile heritage. Through Weaving Malta, he produces finely-crafted, handwoven textiles while experimenting with contemporary applications of the craft.
Christian Bezzina, founder of Medina Steels at the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, combines engineering expertise with artistry to produce bespoke furniture and sculptural pieces, celebrated for their technical precision and refined materiality.

3
The Stalactite Collection / Symbols of Memory
Symbols of Memory weaves personal history into contemporary jewellery, fusing a client’s amethyst bracelet with her father’s gift. Ovals symbolise world travel, while asymmetrical filigree around the central stone suggests his watchful eye. In contrast, the Stalactite Collection, also displayed at MICAS, transforms Maltese quarry waste—up to 30 million years old—into sculptural jewellery. Textured silver echoes mineral-rich water forming stalactites, while pioneering 3D design and printing enables intricate casting in precious metals. Together, these works merge heritage with innovation, showing how deeply personal narratives and geological time can coexist within wearable forms that preserve memory while embracing progress.
Tara Lois Mansell
Tara Lois Mansell is celebrated for redesigning treasured heirlooms into contemporary luxury jewellery, transforming stories of love, family, and heritage into sculptural narratives of wearable emotion. Her distinctive approach has earned her international recognition and a global clientele. Her work has recently been exhibited in Monte Carlo, Milan, and Munich, while locally it is displayed at MICAS. Featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and international press, she has also received numerous awards and recognitions, including at the Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti. Based in Malta, she pioneers sustainable practice while reinterpreting traditional techniques with contemporary innovation, creativity, and precision.

4
Movement in Limestone
Levitas, Winning Over, and The Memory of Movement are sculptural explorations of motion carved from Maltese limestone – a material traditionally seen as rigid and static. Levitas defies gravity, suspended in air by perspex, while the other two emerge seamlessly from single blocks, uniting base and form. Each piece evokes the fluidity of drapery and dance, challenging the viewer’s perception of stone. Their surface textures, reminiscent of clay or marble, further subvert expectations, transforming limestone into a medium of grace and expression. Together, these works celebrate movement captured in stillness and softness revealed through strength.
Charles Zammit
Charles Zammit, a graduate of Fine Arts from the University of Malta in 2018, pursued further studies with a Master’s in Educational Art. With over two decades of experience as a distinguished photographer, Charles garnered numerous accolades locally and internationally. He transitioned into diverse artistic mediums of painting and sculpture, where – despite his relatively brief tenure – he has already garnered significant recognition, securing local and international awards. Proficient in a spectrum of materials, including clay, marble, limestone, iron, and wood, Charles’s sculptural oeuvre exhibits a penchant for abstraction, contrasting with his figurative painting approach.

5
CLEAR/FORM Lounge Chair
CLEAR/FORM is a lounge chair that unites circular economy principles with contemporary design. Its transparent, fluid form celebrates the integrity of recycled materials while demonstrating the precision and possibilities of 3D printing. Designed to provoke both tactile and visual engagement, it encourages reflection on material life cycles and the aesthetics of reuse. By transforming discarded plastics into a sculptural yet functional object, the piece highlights how sustainable practices can drive innovation. Positioned within the local design landscape, it suggests a future where environmental responsibility and creative expression are inseparable, showcasing Malta’s potential to lead in sustainable design innovation.
I+A x Invent3D
I+A is an award-winning architectural design and management studio based in Malta, recognised for its commitment to buildability, precision, and beauty. Their work fuses creativity with technical expertise, bridging the gap between design vision and real-world execution.
Invent3D is Malta’s leading digital fabrication and 3D printing hub, pioneering sustainable, precision-driven solutions for designers, architects, and makers. By championing circular design principles and pushing the limits of additive manufacturing, Invent3D empowers creators to turn bold concepts into reality.

6
The Butler Side Table
The Butler Side Table reinterprets traditional serving furniture through a clean, contemporary design that prioritises simplicity and versatility. Its 300mm marble top is supported by a single metal leg at 600mm or 680mm height, cantilevered to allow the table to glide over a sofa’s seat or armrest. Inspired by the discreet presence of a butler, it is designed to serve with quiet efficiency, offering an elegant companion to seated users. Balancing functionality with refinement, the piece adapts seamlessly to different settings while remaining unobtrusive yet ever within reach.
Clifford Carabott
Clifford Carabott founded Artefact Craftworks – a small-scale, artisanal workshop specialising in the creation of lifestyle-enhancing products for the home – as an expression of his love of design and deep respect for time-honoured craftsmanship.
