Villino Ellul

Villino Ellul was built in 1937–38 by the architect Salvatore Ellul as his personal villa. Ellul and his family moved out of the building when World War II broke out, since the location was prone to air raids given its proximity to Marsamxett Harbour. However, the building escaped aerial bombardment and survived the war intact.[1]

The building was restored by Paul Camilleri & Associates in 2010, and it was converted into offices.[2] It now houses Dixcart Management Malta Limited, and it is therefore known as Dixcart House.[3]

Villino Ellul was scheduled as a Grade 2 building in 2012.[4]

Villino Ellul is one of the earliest Modernist buildings in Malta,[5] and it was an avant-garde building by local standards, not least since it is located in a neighbourhood containing many classical or Art Deco houses. The building shows inspiration from the work of Le Corbusier, Charles Holden and the Italian Rationalists.[1][6]

The building uses sharp lines and delicate curves, and it has a white finish devoid of any applied ornamentation. The villa includes a cantilevered reinforced concrete semi-circular terrace around part of the façade.[4]

Ellul also designed the building's interior as well as details such as the doors, railings and other finishes.[4] The building's interior shows some Art Deco influences.[1]

Mark G. Muscat stated that the Villino Ellul is "one of the earliest examples of the International Style in Malta", in which "the close collaboration between Charles Holden (1875-1960) and Ellul is evident".[1]

This villa was built at a time when the International Style was still very much in vogue. Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye was completed only a couple of years earlier. The white rendering on the exterior is derived directly from Le Cordbusier's façades. A fascinating feature, the semi-circular terrace, is reminiscent of Charles Holden's designs in London. The close collaboration between Ellul and Holden during their time working together on the St. Luke's Hospital project is perceptible in this house. The use of reinforced concrete in the cantilevered terrace is a bold and pioneering example that employs this material in an innovative manner. The detail was meticulously thought out, and despite being built over seventy years ago it is still a fine example of concrete architecture, even by today's standards. In this particular case the use of concrete instead of Maltese limestone would have reflected the moder idiom far more appropriately.

A series of interesting internal details add to the house's charm. Stairways were originally finished off in Carrara marble steps with black risers. Balaustrades and metalwork on the exterior were simple and free from any unnecessary ornament. The interior metalwork was similar to Art Deco examples of the time. A number of circular openings make the rear elevation unique and boatlike. The architect's relatives maintain that this aesthetic was intended and not coincidental.

Indeed the houses must have caused quite a stir when first constructed. Large foundations had to be placed right into the sea. The house is in fact elevated from the exterior road level by a flight of stairs because of the raising damp. This building is testament to Ellul's pioneering vision, and is a rare example of a pre-war Modernist building which is indeed comparable to foreign examples of the same period.[1]

Media related to Villino Ellul at Wikimedia Commons