Villino Ellul

Villino Ellul or Villa Ellul is a Modernist villa in Ta' Xbiex, Malta. It was designed and built in the 1930s by the architect Salvatore Ellul as his personal villa, and it was one of the first Modernist buildings to be built on the island. The building has been restored and converted into offices, and it is now known as Dixcart House.

Villino Ellul
Alternative names	Villa Ellul Dixcart House
General information
Status	Intact
Type	House (now offices)
Architectural style	Modernist
Location	Ta' Xbiex, Malta
Address	2, Sir Augustus Bartolo Street
Coordinates	35°54′4.4″N 14°29′41.9″E
Current tenants	Dixcart Management Malta Ltd
Completed	1938
Renovated	2010
Technical details
Floor count	2
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Salvatore Ellul
Renovating team
Architect(s)	Paul Camilleri & Associates

History

Villino Ellul was built in 1937–38 by the architect Salvatore Ellul as his personal villa. Ellul and his family moved out of the building when World War II broke out, since the location was prone to air raids given its proximity to Marsamxett Harbour. However, the building escaped aerial bombardment and survived the war intact.^[1]

The building was restored by Paul Camilleri & Associates in 2010, and it was converted into offices.^[2] It now houses Dixcart Management Malta Limited, and it is therefore known as Dixcart House.^[3]

Villino Ellul was scheduled as a Grade 2 building in 2012.^[4]

Architecture

Villino Ellul is one of the earliest Modernist buildings in Malta,^[5] and it was an avant-garde building by local standards, not least since it is located in a neighbourhood containing many classical or Art Deco houses. The building shows inspiration from the work of Le Corbusier, Charles Holden and the Italian Rationalists.^[1][6]

The building uses sharp lines and delicate curves, and it has a white finish devoid of any applied ornamentation. The villa includes a cantilevered reinforced concrete semi-circular terrace around part of the façade.^[4]

Ellul also designed the building's interior as well as details such as the doors, railings and other finishes.^[4] The building's interior shows some Art Deco influences.^[1]

Mark G. Muscat stated that the Villino Ellul is "one of the earliest examples of the International Style in Malta", in which "the close collaboration between Charles Holden (1875-1960) and Ellul is evident".^[1]