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Malta Business Review
SPECIAL PULL-AND-KEEP SUPPLEMENT:
MALTA'S BEST ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2017
Ideas, Energy
and Enthusiasm
A R C H I T E C T U R E A N D D E S I G N
PERITI
Special
Feature
MBEOTYA 2017
Special
Feature
MBEOTYA 2017
SPECIAL PULL-AND-KEEP SUPPLEMENT:
MALTA'S BEST ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2017
Malta Business Review
KEIRO Architects have risen to become one of the most celebrated and well-respected architects locally working today. Their
architectural work is widely recognised and covers extensive ground ranging from educational facilities, residences, retail
design, office design, public utilities and master planning. Keith Schembri, Architect co-founder of KEIRO A RArchitects, C H I T E C T U R E A N D shares
D E S I G N
his insight with us, telling us that despite entrepreneurial knowledge and experience can be gained, there are some intrinsic
personal aspects such as the love to take risk which are hard-wired in an individual and difficult to teach.
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
complimented by ensuring that our work
is the best it can be through our service to
others and contribution to a more sustainably
built world.
Every day we are fortunate enough to see
creativity bring projects to life through work
in portfolios but also the stories behind these
jobs. Knowing that we have fulfilled clients’
hopes and dreams gives us the drive to
embark on new projects.
In essence we are privileged to be able to
make a difference.
MBR: How challenging is it to show
differentiation in a business like this?
Husband and wife duo, Perit Keith and Perit Rosianne Schembri, co-founders of KEIRO Architects (photo by Brian Grech)
Architect Keith Schembri (photo by Brian Grech)
MBR: What has been the secret of your
success?
KS: The secret to success at the multifocused
KEIRO studio is the ability to benefit from
having various service models under one
house umbrella. Using a network of multidisciplinary
consultants to provide a versatile
team with an extensive knowledge helps
KEIRO meet its aim to design buildings that
improve the owner’s life quality through our
consistent efficient production of high quality
design.
Success in this industry is related to personal
as well as professional preferences which is
facilitated when natural talent and skill meet
personal passion. KEIRO’s ethos is building
a lasting relationship with each customer by
embracing the ideas, energy and enthusiasm
of our clients.
MBR: What is it about your make-up that
compels you to both create and build
business?
KS: At KEIRO we use a simple and collaborative
approach to ensure that our clients’ needs
are fully understood which includes offering
personal insight and expertise. We keep a
close eye on the developments during the
building phase so that the project is delivered
to the tiniest detail of the client’s specification.
While good relationships lie at the heart of
success across all professional and personal
ventures, the design and construction
industry is one that is fundamentally built on
strong relationships. KEIRO and clients agree
on the critical nature of these relationships,
and this approach has proved successful
in securing a substantial amount of repeat
business.
MBR: How do you define purpose in your
work, and how do you measure the impact
when you are looking at that type of an
objective?
KS: Architecture is about serving others
through the design of the built environment
KS: We are working in a multicultural
world, with distinct value systems, requiring
architects to be open to an enormous
multiplicity of values, interpretations, and
readings. We need to be intellectual and
follow set standards, but at the same time
relativist.
The easiest building to design is a cube, but
KEIRO Architects do not design cubes. We
aim at turning conventions and assumptions
upside down, and combine contrasting
possibilities in imaginative and playful ways.
Taking risks to do something out of the
ordinary is part of KEIRO’s creative field by
rethinking, reimagining, and inventing new
ways of doing the same old thing. This is not
to say that everything requires innovation
or bold action, but looking at a challenge
through a different lens.
Every architect’s design process is extremely
personal and nuanced.
MBR: For a company of KA’ size and scale,
where do you see your growth coming
from?
KS: In the past years, KEIRO has grown in
size as well as reputation. The launch of its
new Studio in Zebbug follows the team’s
adaptability to a multi-professional approach
which has enabled this start-up set up to
embark projects of different natures and
scale.
MBR: Is the message out about the critical
role that companies like KA play and about
how dynamic this industry is?
KS: Younger generations tend to appreciate
more the benefits of teaming up with startup
practices lead by young professionals
who harness energy and enthusiasm
whilst enriching their portfolios with new
ideas. Exposure to internet, travel and
multiculturalism has lead people venturing
to new styles and expanded its frame of
reference far beyond accustomed ‘safe-zone’
horizons leading to more shopping around for
specific professionals.
MBR: Behind that employee base, you
have also put diversity and inclusion at
the forefront. How critical is it that your
consumer profile is mirrored within the
workforce?
KS: At KEIRO, we love bringing the individuality
out of a project and we can only do that when
we understand our clients’ journey. Clients
are prepared to invest trust in those who
can deliver their vision and collaboration is
essential between a client and an architect. If
We are working in a
multicultural world, with
distinct value systems, requiring
architects to be open to an
enormous multiplicity of values,
interpretations, and readings.
all parties involved have similar likes and ideas,
the project can be an exciting time filled with
brain storming sessions and site visits.
Co-founded by two architects, each bringing
to the drawing table different academic
backgrounds, KEIRO’s work eclipses each of
their prior resumes. Between the two, rather
varied, approaches and the onboarding of
other professionals in the team lies a wealth
of success in the architectural environment.
MBR: Is it hard to not become so engaged
when you see something done differently
than how you would do it, and do you have
to take a step back?
KS: In our industry, we come across
uncomfortable situations where it might be
difficult to guide the client to accept that the
design presented is the best outcome to their
wish list and site potential. This may be the
result of clients’ lack of experience in the field
which ultimately affects the quality of the
design or also unfamiliarity with local policies.
This is about getting them to see that the
design satisfies their requirements and
contains everything they want. The final
decision falls to the client, but we have a
responsibility to do everything in our power
to convince the client that the design meets
their expectations in the best appropriate
ways.
MBR: Is an entrepreneurial spirit something
you are born with or it can be taught?
KS: The entrepreneur gene is debatable
but experience does lead to believe that
people with certain genetic characteristics
and personality traits are more likely to
be successful entrepreneurs than others.
Personality and the ability to bear risk are
key factors. In this industry, passion and
determination also help to focus energy
around a project which leads to rewarding
success. The ability to seeing 'outside the
box' to imagine new and innovative ways of
solving current and forthcoming issues help
the enriching and continuous development
of one’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Most startups go through challenging periods
in their growth, and if you are not persistent
enough to 'slog through the mud', the project
may never live long enough to succeed. MBR
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