Housed within the historic walls of the Old Abattoir on Bull Street, the Valletta Design Cluster has transformed a piece of Malta’s heritage into a thriving epicentre for creative practice.
This dynamic hub unites a multidisciplinary community of designers, makers, creative entrepreneurs and contemporary artists under one roof. By balancing a shared environment that sparks organic collaboration and peer learning with the independence needed for deep focus, the Cluster offers the ultimate ecosystem for creative growth.
Built specifically as a launchpad for emerging and scaling creatives, the facility removes the traditional barriers to entry.
Members gain access to a versatile suite of amenities, including private studios, flexible co-working areas, meeting rooms, and curated exhibition spaces. It also features a specialized Foodspace for culinary prototyping and teaching, alongside a high-tech Makerspace.
Armed with digital fabrication tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines – plus the benefit of free technical training – designers can experiment, prototype, and scale their projects without the burden of heavy capital investment.
Though just five years old, the incubator has already proven its concept. Three resident designers and organisations have already scaled up, successfully outgrowing the physical space, while several others have solidified their branding and established dominant footprints within Malta’s creative economy.
But the Cluster is more than just a workspace; it is a cultural catalyst. Through a year-round calendar of public exhibitions, interactive workshops, industry talks, and immersive artist residencies, it continuously bridges the gap between resident creators and the global design conversation, inviting the wider community to engage with the future of design.
For designers interested in joining, the Valletta Design Cluster offers different membership options to suit different stages of practice at highly affordable rates.
Temporary Studio Membership provides access to a private studio for a fixed period, making it ideal for designers working on specific projects, commissions or short-term creative residencies.
Annual Studio Membership offers a longer-term base for designers looking to establish their practice within the Cluster and become part of its creative community for up to three years.
Regular Membership is ideal for creative practitioners who do not require a dedicated studio but want access to the Valletta Design Cluster’s facilities, community, networking opportunities and year-round programme of events and activities.
Whether you’re launching a new practice, developing a product, or simply looking for a professional space in which to work, the Valletta Design Cluster offers the facilities to network and an environment to support your work.
Membership is more than access to a studio: It is an opportunity to work alongside other creatives, share ideas and develop your practice within one of Malta’s leading design hubs.
Main photo: Valletta Design Cluster public roof garden
