MBR Issue 45

Malta Business Review COMPANY ANNIVERSARY
Design, Construction and Art
By George Carol
Based in Birkirkara MJM│DA are celebrating
their 15th anniversary this year. In terms of
services, the firm has evolved since it first
started, now offering true integrated design
services combining Architecture, Structures,
Building services and interior design for
residential, commercial and hospitality
projects. But what really sets this firm
apart is their focus on culture. In fact, they
take culture so seriously, they even have a
dedicated direct culture approach. Another
point of pride, they were intentional about
creating an environment that welcomed
diversity of all types, and extending that
beyond employees, to clients and projects as
well. We recently chatted with founder, Senior
Architect & CEO Matthew J. Mercieca to talk
about the firm’s upcoming anniversary, what
it’s like to own a business and the significant
challenges faced.
how did you get past them?
MJM: The biggest challenge has been to
adapt to the reality that change is constant,
and that speed of such change can accelerate
MBR: How do you see the progress of
your company so far? Are you amazed,
overwhelmed, did you think you would get
this far?
MBR: How did it all begin and what was it
like when you first started?
MJM: The beginning was unplanned! I was
happy and settled working with several
local top firms for four years, after having
travelled substantially as a student and going
through an internship in Warsaw. Within a
challenging economic climate in 2003 and in
a planned transition of sorts, I had a start-up
of my own. I first started working on family
business projects designing and setting up
the BoConcept showroom and offices for
example. It was raw and chaotic, but very
engaging. I certainly had a better work life
balance and income before I started, but
since I always wanted to work with a team,
I very quickly started building my own team.
Collaboration builds capacity, reinforces skill,
and provides professional solutions.
MBR: Where did you get the drive for the
business and what made you not give up on
it?
MJM: Coming from a background of family
businesses on both sides of my family, I was
exposed to different business types and
functions. Surprisingly, whilst that may have
provided an entrepreneurial foundation, it
is the potential of architecture that keeps
me going. I had witnessed a separation of
architecture in the way it was created such
that the result did not feel wholesome,
or complete. Also designing and building
architecture holistically is something that I
am still driven to achieve consistently. In an
ever more connected world, all must work as
one. Architecture is the perfect vehicle for
this since it presents a significant challenge
because of its complexity even when things
are kept simple.
MBR: What were some significant
challenges you have had to overcome and
Matthew J. Mercieca, Senior Architect & CEO, MJM│DA
significantly at times. So establishing
appropriate systems and processes, and
how these are maintained, have been
instrumental to keep the necessary balance
in a world that degenerates into chaos when
left unattended.
"Every time I felt that we
have been wronged, or
that we were treated
unfairly as a team, it has
made the firm stronger
MBR: Is there any event that has drastically
affected you in your journey, something that
has had a big impact in your entrepreneur
life?
MJM: Every time I felt that we have been
wronged, or that we were treated unfairly
as a team, it has made the firm stronger.
Many lessons learnt and the continuity of
having persisted with playing this game for
fifteen years gives me a lot of insight that I
appreciate daily.
MJM: I am very self-critical. So much so, that
anybody who has worked with me over the
years will tell you that I will expect everybody
to deliver to the best of their capacity. Too
many people are not ready to find out how
awesome they are. They stop short of going
the extra mile and pushing themselves to
get there. I believe we can get further. So
although people tell us we have done rather
well, I often feel that we have not even
started or somehow scratched the surface!
1. How have you seen workplaces changing
in the 21st century?
Speed: it’s faster than ever and expectations
are high on all fronts. Everybody expects
more from everybody. Costs to operate
a legitimate business with the right work
force, tools, operations and facilities are ever
higher. So the capacity to develop skills and
deliver is crucial. Malta however remains
rife with the acceptance of amateur services.
We see people settle for services that appear
25% cheaper and deliver less than 50% of the
work. Although many have created an art
form of complaining, learning to pay for the
right level of service and long term vision is a
special capability.
2. How has MJMDA maintained its position
during the past 15 years?
We have never stopped working hard, as
difficult as it has been. We are not quitters.
3. What major projects are you
proud of when looking back at your
accomplishments?
16