Interiors
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February 4, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Autumn-Winter 2024 issue
An illustrious portfolio of architectural design in hospitality – with Simon Abela
When your name is behind some of the most spectacular hotel projects around the world, you might be forgiven for letting it all go to your head.
However, when we met with Simon Abela, the multi-talented interior architect spoke about his award-winning career with deep passion, yet with a refreshing lack of pretension.
The years he spent beautifying and designing some of the biggest names in hospitality are a testament to his professional skills and dedication, culminating in the conception of his own company based in London.
Simon left Malta as soon as he graduated in architecture and moved to Spain to work as an intern.
“In July 2003, I handed in my thesis and, a month later, I embarked on a nine-month internship in Valencia, where I ended up living for two years,” he mused.
“Then, in 2005, I decided to move to The Big Smoke and started working at an architect’s London practice. While there, I gained experience in master planning and interiors for restaurants, pubs, and hotels. I’ve always had a creative side, and I soon discovered how much I enjoyed the realm of interior architecture.”
Simon’s next move was to work for two years with the infamous Anouska Hempel, an experience which he fondly describes as “crazy, but absolutely brilliant!” Known as the woman who established one of the world’s first boutique hotels in the late 1970s—Blakes London in South Kensington—the actress-turned-hotelier and designer is also the name behind other timeless institutions such as the Hempel Hotel and Blakes Amsterdam.
“From there, I moved on to GA Design for ten years,” Simon continued, “working in interiors and, predominantly, in hotel design, which by then, had become my main passion. Through GA, I also began working on Corinthia projects. And finally, in 2021, I quit my full-time job and founded Studio Abela, located in Fulham.”
Interior architecture is a crossover between architectural configuration and interior design. It oversees structural planning, mechanical coordination, lighting and electrics, and remodelling, together with internal finishings, furniture, colour schemes, fabrics, coving, ceilings—and even the positioning of smoke detectors and cameras. Additionally, when embellishing hotels, the functionality of the space is fundamental while ensuring a seamless design within the whole structure. This is why Simon has a team of expert colleagues to help him brainstorm, visualise, document, and choose every single detail of any undertaking.
After being approached to help construct one of Malta’s most prominent hotels, Simon began extending his trips back to the island, and he, his husband, and their dog now split their time between the English capital and their home country whilst also making the most of the Maltese climate.
Simon’s compendium of design and renovation achievements lists several distinguished names in the hospitality industry.
With Anouska Hempel, Simon’s work mainly comprised boutique hotels, among them a prospective establishment in Santiago, Chile—which, unfortunately, never came to fruition—and the refurbishment of the Duxton Reserve hotel in Singapore, now forming part of the Autograph Collection. In England, Simon worked on the Corinthia London Suites, which included the conversion of 22 rooms into ten luxury suites.
“That particular endeavour was quite intricate, because the refurb happened while the hotel was in full operation. We had to be totally discreet when passing through the guest areas. It also had to be done very quickly, and in fact, the project began in February and was finished by May.”
Although most of his work tends to be on existing buildings, Simon has also worked on new builds, among them the Fairmont Amman, where he was involved from start to finish in collaboration with GA Design. Having a clean slate is undoubtedly more straightforward, allowing an interior architect the freedom to start from scratch. Nevertheless, Simon stressed the importance of restoring historic edifices to retain the homogeneity and aesthetics of a streetscape.
“Working on existing architecture is obviously more restrictive, but I love transforming a building for modern-day use while aiming to respect its history. One time, I was in charge of redesigning the Great North Eastern Railway Head Office in York into a 5-star hotel for a Greek client. This majestic building had a Grade 2 Star listing, and I could not touch the doors, the architraves, the skirting, the flooring, or the walls. Everything had to be reviewed and regulated, but these challenges always give me great satisfaction!”
Simon commented briefly on one of his presently ongoing projects, the Corinthia Rome, entailing the conversion of a beautiful palazzo constructed in the 1920s by architect Marcello Piacentini and formerly the seat of the Central Bank of Italy. It was recently acquired by the Reuben brothers, who are seeking to preserve the property’s historical value while offering luxury accommodation in the heart of the city.
The newly opened AX ODYCY in Qawra, Malta, is definitely one of Simon’s most stunning masterpieces.
“A few years back, during a long stay on the island, an old friend, Peter Brincat from Box Concept, called me with a proposal. We had studied architecture and done our thesis together, so of course, I was intrigued, especially when he added that another dear friend, Sara Brincat, was also onboard. The hotel in question was known as the Suncrest at the time, and I immediately agreed to help them out with the interiors for this phenomenal refurb for AX Group.”
The team pitched the initial concept in January 2021, and the works were underway a few months later. Even though Simon was passing through a significant career change at the time while setting up his London business, he travelled frequently to Malta to assist his colleagues at the AX.
Once the fit-out began, Simon was present onsite more regularly. They also had to fly to Italy multiple times to meet with the installers of all the joinery, which was being manufactured there. This involved selecting materials, reviewing shop drawings, and visiting several workshops. The lighting for both the interior and outside areas was in the hands of renowned lighting designer, Franck Franjou. The furniture itself was procured from Turkey, Portugal, and Spain, with some of the items being customised to accommodate the company’s requests. It was an intense but extremely rewarding time—with the fabulous hotel opening its doors within two years!
The ultimate recognition for the industrious team was the prestigious award they received to honour their work.
“Achieving the Interior Architecture Award for Hospitality and Tourism Projects at the MASP Awards in May 2024 was an immense privilege. We were up against some impressive competition, and winning the award was completely unexpected! I was beaming like the Cheshire Cat in all the photos!”
It is small wonder Simon has zero regrets over his career journey. “I’ve been living abroad for the past 20 years, and before the AX, I had never worked in Malta. Thankfully, I still believe all my decisions were sound, because I gained so much experience in other countries. But it felt amazing to be back on the island, working on the AX ODYCY with people I knew from university, and seeing the hotel winning so many other awards. It makes me feel so fulfilled to have contributed to its success!”
Simon Abela
Studio Abela, London
https://www.instagram.com/studio_abela
+44 (0) 7896042898