Dream-filled beginnings
It all started in 2006. While on a site visit to a dilapidated property in the Maltese rural hamlet of Zabbar, Aaron, an architect by profession, had an inspiring thought. And it was this very thought that gave birth to a lifelong dream – one which Aaron and his wife, Jesabel, wholly embraced and made a reality.
And so, our story unfolds.
Ever since he was a child, Aaron had always nurtured a passion for vernacular architecture and detailing. Now, he felt the need to transform that emotional passion into something real and tangible.
The energy and the potential of the place in Zabbar triggered in Aaron a drive and ambition to create a family-run, niche hospitality offering that bore a strong local character while going against the grain.
From vision to execution
One restless night following the site visit, fuelled by his artistic vision, he brought the Mulberries concept to life. Instinctively, the following day, Aaron began designing and jotting down an infinite number of thoughts and ideas of how he imagined the property’s transformation.
Aaron envisaged a place that would seamlessly fuse local culture and traditions with rural tourism in a simple yet elegant ambience. Elevating vernacular architecture and local craftsmanship, Mulberries would fit harmoniously with Zabbar’s enriching scenery, ageing gracefully while symbiotically enhancing the rural landscape aesthetic.
And so it began.
Aaron’s architectural design was faithful to the simplicity of traditional Maltese construction systems and their widespread use of local limestone.
In staying true to our project’s sustainability principle, construction materials were obtained locally from sustainable sources. The spaces created throughout revolved around our Mediterranean climate, the natural elements, and the building’s orientation, taking into account the sun’s path and the wind’s direction.
Passion and perseverance
It took nine years to secure all the necessary concessions and permits from the relevant authorities to fulfil our dream. Following the stamping of the final document, our life-changing adventure could truly begin.
By 2016, unable to find the ideal contractor to execute his vision, Aaron decided to get personally involved in the building’s renovation and see it through to its completion.
It took nearly three years to carry out all the construction works and another two to put all the services, finishes, and final touches in place. Jesabel’s input and professional estate management experience proved invaluable throughout the latter phase of the project.
In December 2021, Mulberries Wellbeing Château launched a soft opening, and we were delighted to welcome our first official guests.
Discoveries and reinterpretations
The Mulberries property respects the history and architecture of the existing farmstead, faithfully reapplying traditional vernacular principles in the new design.
The oldest part of the structure on site dates back to the 17th century and originally consisted of a farm building with six rooms. The ground-floor rooms were primarily used for rearing animals, while the spaces on the first floor were for human habitation.
The clearing of the site and exposure of the bedrock in the construction phase led to an interesting discovery. We uncovered vine trenches dating back approximately two millennia that had been dug into the bedrock to create a soil bed for planting vines or small fruit trees.
Classed as secondary archaeological remains, these underground structures were recorded for reference by an archaeological monitor on-site.
The 300-year-old farmhouse site also revealed an original well that dates back a few centuries. This space was repurposed into a meditation chamber for visitors and guests.
In laying the foundations for the property’s extension, we followed the local historical practice of quarrying stone for construction directly on-site. This method also enabled us to convert the hollowed-out limestone bedrock into a 300㎥ reservoir for harvesting rainwater run-off.
The property’s exterior is constructed from stones salvaged from centuries-old buildings which would have otherwise been dumped at landfills and forever lost. Each stone block was quarried and hewn by hand by master masons, whose elaborate process is reflected in the texture of each stone.
Each time you step into the world of Mulberries, a rich harmony of history, sustainability, and timeless elegance awaits.
Discover a home away from home in the off-the-beaten-track island gem of Zabbar. We cannot wait to welcome you to Mulberries!
