March 2009 Kamra Tal - Periti
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Issue no. 48 | March 2009 KAMRA TAL - PERITI NEWSPAPER POST 11 IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Editorial 5 KTP News 6 People & Projects PRACTICE 9 The next two years 10 EU Desk 11 SACES 12 Modernist Malta 14 Preserving Modernism 16 Egypt FEATURE 18 Events 20 Qualifications Directive 21 Heritage CURRENT 22 Reviews 23 International Events 22 16 12 “…architecture, like other forms of 21 art, is a reflection of society in the social, cultural, economic and political contexts of that time. Architecture is never static; it is constantly changing according to the needs and aspirations of every society.” Hon Dr Lawrence Gonzi (see page 21) MARCH 2009 3 contents THE PROFESSIONAL CENTRE SLIEMA ROAD GZIRA GZR 06 - MALTA TEL./FAX. (+356) 2131 4265 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.ktpmalta.com To support members of the profession in achieving excellence in their practice of architecture and engineering in the interest of the community I was rummaging through the piles of files, books and magazines publication of tA, the Opera House project is back on the at the Kamra’s office last week and came across a copy of “the national agenda, together with the City Gate and ditch area. The Council of the Kamra Tal-Periti for the year 2009 consists of Vincent Cassar (President), David Felice Architect” dating back to April 1993. Two things struck me. This World renowned architect Renzo Piano has been appointed to (Past President), Simone Vella Lenicker (Honorary was Issue No. 20. At the time, the journal was not published present proposals to Government for this long debated and long editorial Secretary) and Council members Ruben Paul Borg, on as regular a basis as it is today. In the last five years alone, desired uplift of the entrance to the Capital, and we look forward Jacques Borg Barthet, Keith Cole, Philip Grech, 17 issues of tA have been published on a quarterly basis. The to being able to review such proposals, discuss and debate in Anthony Fenech Vella, Danica Mifsud, and Damian team’s dedication over the years, from the first issue to this, have a not too distant issue of tA. Meanwhile, Government has also Vella Lenicker. ensured that “the Architect” has found its place on the shelves embarked on an ambitious list of capital projects, including the The Architect is the official journal of the Kamra of many people, not only architects, but all those who have the restoration and rehabilitation of Fort St Elmo, the rebuilding of Tal-Periti. It is published on a quarterly basis and built environment at heart. One of our correspondents, a mem- the bridge across the Grand Harbour breakwater, the restoration distributed with the Business Today newspaper. The ber of the financial profession, recently wrote to us saying “I am of the Valletta and Birgu landfronts, not to mention ongoing Architect is not to be sold separately. very sensitive to what the architecture profession did, is doing, projects such as Smart City. These are being viewed as an ideal The contents of this journal are copyright. and may yet do to the face of Malta in the future, and that, I am stimulus to the economy, against a backdrop of global economic Reproduction in part or in full is forbidden without sure you agree, actually belongs to all of us.” This is certainly one uncertainty. the permission of the editor. The opinions expressed of the main aims of this journal: to bring architecture and the While churning out projects can be seen as giving a positive by writers of signed articles and letters appearing in profession closer to the general public and to act as a showcase impetus to the economic scenario, it is imperative that the high the magazine are those of their respective authors, of local developments in this regard. standards of quality in design expected of such important con- and neither the Kamra Tal-Periti nor MediaToday Co. Ltd is responsible for these opinions or statements. The second thing that struck me on opening Issue No. 20 of tributions to our built environment are adhered to. Many of our tA was the fact that the publication reviewed nine out of the buildings have stood the test of time, remaining as a testimony thirteen entries for the competition for the design of the Opera to the age in which they were conceived. Any proposals must Editor: Simone Vella Lenicker House that had taken place a few months earlier. The various reflect contemporary approaches and needs, while at the same Consulting Editor: Danica Mifsud teams of architects and engineers were invited to describe their time respecting the context, historical or otherwise, in which Design: Zvezdan Reljic Sales: Adriana Farrugia Tel: 21 382 741 ext. 126 proposals and to give detailed accounts of the concepts behind they are set. This is true of most periods in the history of archi- their projects, the space allocation, the choice of finishes and the tecture, not least with what has been identified as the Modernist Published by: impact they thought their proposal would have on Valletta and stint in our local context. the life of the Maltese population. Thankfully, this edition now Unfortunately, however, the architectural heritage of the mod- serves as a record of these proposals, which have since been ern movement is more at risk today than during any other shelved and are probably now gathering dust and cobwebs in period. By the end of the 1980s, many modern masterpieces Vjal ir-Rihan some forsaken storeroom somewhere. had already been demolished or had been changed beyond San Gwann SGN 4016 These thoughts further emphasise the need for a National recognition. The few excellent Maltese Modernist buildings that Malta Centre for the Built Environment, that the Kamra has been exist are no exception to this trend. This was the main driving Tel: +356 21 382 741 actively working on for the past two years – a home for archi- force behind the exhibition and publication “Modernist Malta: Fax: +356 21 381 992 Email: [email protected] tecture and for the profession, a place where the work of our the Architectural Legacy” organised by the Kamra tal-Periti and local periti can be preserved for future generations, a centre that Din l-Art Helwa, and which is amply reviewed in this issue of tA. Printed at: Union Print could serve as a depository of the richness of our profession If anything, we hope to have achieved our aim of bringing to the and its achievements. The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti is in forefront this more often than not ignored and unappreciated fact still working towards the setting up of such a Centre, and part of our architectural heritage, and hopefully instilled a more is making headway in this respect. This exciting project is one sensitive approach by the authorities towards the preservation that will serve to bring architecture to the people, and that will, of these buildings. hopefully, act as a catalyst towards achieving a better quality in the built environment. Perit Simone Vella Lenicker Today, nearly 16 years down the line to the date from that Editor COVER: Villa Sunshine, Ta’ Xbiex (1970s) Architect: Mario Meneghello Photograph: Matthew Mirabelli (see article on page 14) 4 MA R C H 2 0 0 9 editorial xx KTP COUNCIL ELECTIONS The Annual General Meeting of the Kamra tal-Periti was held on the 12 December 2008 at the Chamber of Commerce in Valletta. This brought to its close the term of presidency held by Perit David Felice, who is now succeeded by Perit Vincent Cassar. Periti Alberto Miceli Farrugia, Frank Giordmaina Medici and Etienne Micallef Grimaud also ended their terms on Council, and did not stand for re-election. The terms of office of Periti Damian Vella Lenicker, Philip Grech and Keith Cole also came to KTP News an end. Each of these stood for re-election, together with Perit Jacques Borg Barthet, and were all elected to serve on Council for the coming two years. Perit Ruben Paul Borg was later co-opted onto Council due to the lack of members standing for election. The remaining Council members are Periti Danica Mifsud, Anthony Fenech Vella Panel Discussion during the AGM and Simone Vella Lenicker, whose terms end in December. Two Council posts are still vacant. This year’s AGM included an interesting debate between Dr Alex Torpiano who had position laid out in The Urban Challenge, both of which ENERGY DIRECTIVE just taken on his new role as Dean of the Faculty for the have also been presented to the Prime Minister for his The Kamra tal-Periti, represented by Periti Simone Vella Built Environment, Perit Adrian Mamo as Chairman of the consideration. Lenicker and Ruben Paul Borg, together with the Chamber Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, Mr Austin Walker as of Engineers, represented by Ing Charles Cuschieri, were the newly appointed Chairman of the Malta Environment UMAR GENERAL ASSEMBLY invited to a meeting at the Services Division to discuss and Planning Authority and Perit Vincent Cassar as the Perit Anthony Fenech Vella attended the UMAR General the impending software for the energy certification of incoming KTP President. The debate was chaired by Ms Assembly which was held on the 12-13 January in Morocco. buildings. Periti Carm Mifsud Borg and Stephen Pulis Vanessa Macdonald, who left no stone unturned, asking Being the 15th Anniversary of the founding of UMAR, this represented the Works Division, while the engineers writ- probing questions on various subjects such as the energy General Assembly took on the double role of not only ing the software were also present in order to discuss the directive, the changes to the course structure, the relation- being the statutory annual assembly but also that of progress and the various features to be embedded within ship between architecture and the arts, and the interac- approving the anniversary celebrations.