The Maltese townhouse : a space syntax analysis

Abstract

This article applies space syntax analysis to investigate how spatial organisation shapes residential space in the Maltese archipelago. It focuses on the typology of the townhouse, a distinctive urban dwelling widely found across the Maltese islands characterised by the presence of a courtyard. Constructed in local building limestone, this type of unit is typically erected on two storeys, with variable depth and width depending on the size of the building plot. Through space syntax analysis, information is extracted on how the network of domestic spaces responds to the needs of the building’s users. The study reinforces traditional observations that the courtyard is a crucial space within the spatial layout of this residential typology. Identified as a central space, it conditions the way inhabitants move through and perceive the dwelling.