July 2010 the Official Journal of the Kamra Tal-Periti P Ost Ewspaper N Ewspaper Contents 12 09
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ISSUE NO. 53 | JULY 2010 THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KAMRA TAL-PERITI OST P EWSPAPER EWSPAPER N contents 12 09 16 PRACTICE 04 4 EDITORIAL 10 20 5 KTP NEWS 6-7 PEOPLE & PROJECTS 8 EU DESK 9 SACES FEATURE 10 10-11 ENZO EUSEBI 12 DIS GROUP 13 DENNIS SHARP 14-15 ARCHITECTURE FIT FOR A POPE 16-17 QUO VADIS PERIT? CurreNT 18 18-19 KTP EVENTS 20 HERITAGE 21 REVIEWS 22 INTERNATIONAL EVENTS “As architects we pride ourselves in having a direct role to play in the shaping of our environment and in the process, improving our everyday quality of life.” Dr Conrad Thake (see page 16) JULY 2010 THE ARCHITECT 3 THE PROFESSIONAL CENTRE Who's interfering? SLIEMA ROAD GZIRA GZR 06 - MALTA TEL./FAX. (+356) 2131 4265 EMAIL: [email protected] EDITORIAL Revealed a few weeks ago was a heartfelt letter from Prince mented about the “awkward situation” MEPA is placed WEBSITE: www.ktpmalta.com Charles pleading with the Qatari prime minister to abandon in each time government tenders are awarded for large a £3 billion property development in London. Signing his national projects prior to the issue of a permit. Is govern- name in Arabic at the end, the Prince underlined words in ment, therefore, “rubberstamping” these projects before To support members of the profession in achieving excellence in their thick black pen to emphasise his opposition to the modern- even beginning to go through the planning process? Or practice of architecture and engineering in the interest of the community ist design for the Chelsea Barracks site in London. “I only is government using the Authority as the “rubberstamp” mention this,” he wrote, “because, quite frankly, my heart and placing undue pressure on it to issue the respective The Council of the Kamra Tal-Periti for the year 2010 sank when I saw the plans that have been proposed for the permits? Who is really taking the decisions? Walker went as consists of Vincent Cassar (President), David Felice (Past old Chelsea Barracks site, opposite the Royal Hospital, by far as to suggest that in the case of national projects, a sys- President), Simone Vella Lenicker (Honorary Secretary) and Council members Ruben Paul Borg, Jacques Borg Barthet, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment. I am so sorry to have to tem should be devised whereby parliament or government Keith Cole, Philip Grech, Anthony Fenech Vella, Danica write to you on this subject, and thus to be so interfering, would be able to approve such projects. Mifsud, Anton Valentino and Damian Vella Lenicker. but it is a site of great importance in London and therefore Amid this discussion, the proposed MEPA Reform is still The Architect is the official journal of the Kamra Tal-Periti. It is deserves something that is appropriate to its context and ongoing. The official process, which began just over a year published on a quarterly basis and distributed with the Business worthy of its position next to the Royal Hospital.” With the ago with a National Conference held in June 2009, has Today newspaper. The Architect is not to be sold separately. The contents of this journal are copyright. Reproduction in letter, Prince Charles attached what he called “alternative been a long one, and it is hoped that a conclusion is in part or in full is forbidden without the permission of the edi- plans for the site” designed by another architect. Charles’s sight. The Kamra has, on the invitation of the responsible tor. The opinions expressed by writers of signed articles and intervention is alleged to have pushed the Qatari royal fam- Parliamentary Secretariat, been involved in the various letters appearing in the magazine are those of their respective ily into withdrawing the original design for the site. discussions on the matter, and many of its contributions authors, and neither the Kamra Tal-Periti nor MediaToday Without going into the merits of the project, it is interesting have indeed been taken on board. The Kamra notes this Co. Ltd is responsible for these opinions or statements. to note two things: firstly the fact that a person of such high with satisfaction and hopes to be able to contribute further Editor: Simone Vella Lenicker profile and ‘political’ significance has taken the time to speak in ensuring that this process reaps the results it is hoped to Consulting Editor: Danica Mifsud up, whether justifiably or not, on a matter of architectural achieve. Design: Kevin Grech - MediaToday quality and design (and this not for the first time); secondly During the parliamentary discussions on the MEPA Reform, Sales: Adriana Farrugia Tel: 21 382 741 ext. 126 Printed at: Print It the impact that such intervention can have on architectural the issue was raised on whether or not Malta should move proposals. Locally, sadly, this debate on architecture seems from a structure planning approach to a spatial plan- Published by: to be relegated solely to the architectural profession and to ning approach, which latter methodology is becoming the those organisations that have our built heritage at heart. norm in Europe. Following this debate, the Kamra imme- Rarely, however, is such debate initiated or taken up by the diately took the initiative to host, in collaboration with the political class. Perhaps the only instance in recent history Chamber of Planners, a seminar on this topic. Although Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 4016, Malta that comes to mind is the current Prime Minister’s stance on possibly biased, I feel the need to emphasise that this was Tel: +356 21 382 741, Fax: +356 21 381 992 the ex-Rediffusion Broadcasting Complex where, following possibly one of the most level-headed, informative and Email: [email protected] a plea made by the Kamra tal-Periti, he instructed the Public thought provoking discussions on planning in Malta I have Broadcasting Authority to withdraw a planning application had the pleasure of attending. It was refreshing to be able to demolish and redevelop the building. While commend- to sit in a room with other professionals and to be able to able, this is however one time too little. discuss a matter of such national importance in a calm and Notwithstanding this lack of political debate on the quality non-confrontational ambience. A number of important ISSUE NO. 53 | JULY 2010 THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KAMRA TALPERITI of architecture in Malta, Chapter 356 of the Laws of Malta points were raised during that meeting, and I trust that (Development Planning Act) makes provision for a call-in those present who are in a position to act upon them will procedure, whereby the responsible Minister may refer an indeed take the various suggestions and comments on application, submitted by a department of government board in the interest of the planning process. or a corporate body, on which an appeal has been lodged, A short report on the discussion that took place during this directly to Cabinet for a decision. On the presumption that seminar is carried in this issue of the Architect, together with the original decision, taken by professionals and individuals a number of other articles that deal with a range of topics. with training and knowledge in their field, was justified, Among these are interviews with the two teams of profes- then the fact that this can be overturned by Cabinet opens sionals entrusted with the design of the temporary stands up the discussion on whether Cabinet is indeed competent that were erected during the Pope’s recent visit to Malta, a or not to take such decisions. The lack of a national debate review of the work of Italian architect Enzo Eusebi, and an OST in this regard does not bode well in this scenario. article by Dr Conrad Thake aptly titled ‘Quo Vadis Perit?’. P EWSPAPER EWSPAPER This topic was indirectly referred to by MEPA Chairman N Austin Walker during a recent interview conducted by Simone Vella Lenicker COVER: Vanessa Macdonald, editor of www.di-ve.com. Walker com- Editor Architecture fit for a Pope see pages 14-15 4 THE ARCHITECT JULY 2010 Events Autodesk time, the teams drew 2-2, which meant that Members’ Directory The second quarter of 2010 was another The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti held a the Maltese Team won on aggregate. The One of the features on the Kamra’s web- busy one for the Kamra tal-Periti, and meeting on the 26 May 2010 with Mr Kostas matches were organised as fund raising for site www.ktpmalta.com is a Members’ included two lectures in the series Samaras, the representative of Autodesk inc the Community Chest Fund. Congratulations Directory. A section has recently been Architecture Nights. A new series of events together with their local agent, Learnkey Cad. to all involved! added to include also details of partner- titled Civil Engineering Encounters was This meeting was prompted by a number of ships of warrant holders. All members inter- KTP NEWS also launched, and aims to address the reports of problems regarding the purchase Mies van der Rohe Award ested in having their details listed on this more technical aspects of the profession. of software from the previous local agent. The European Union Prize for Contemporary page are invited to contact the Kamra for A seminar which debated the pros and Following the positive meeting, Mr Samaras Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award - is further details. cons of the structure versus the spatial sent a letter to the Kamra, which was sent a biennial prize granted by the European planning approach was also organised by out to all periti, stating that Autodesk inc Union and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe World Architecture Festival the Kamra, this time in collaboration with was ready to address all the problems faced of Barcelona.