The Malta Independent on Sunday
XIV Din l-Art Ħelwa awards for architectural heritage
Din l-Art Ħelwa has announced the winners of its 2019 Architectural Heritage awards now in its 14th edition since its inception in 2005. Maria Grazia Cassar, immediate past president of Din lArt Ħelwa and chairperson of the Awards Jury Panel, opened the ceremony, together with Professor Alex Torpiano, executive president of Din l-Art Ħelwa, stating that the raison d’etre of this annual competition was to highlight and reward projects which, in the opinion of the judges, made an outstanding and significant contribution to architectural excellence in a Maltese context, with a focus on regeneration, re-use and conservation.
Cassar said that since 2005, Din l-Art Ħelwa has been pleased to acknowledge no less than 80 projects as winners through the awards, and this competition, held with the collaboration of the Kamra tal-Periti, has indeed contributed to the positive appreciation of the value of Malta’s built heritage. The Jury Panel was made up of Professor Conrad Thake, representing the Kamra tal-Periti, Professor Anthony Mollicone from the University of Malta and Din l-Art Ħelwa Council member, Perit Joanna Spiteri Staines.
Within the Category for the Rehabilitation and Re-Use of Buildings, the judges were unanimous in their decision to award the Prix d’Honneur to Domus Zamittello. This challenging project saw the conversion of a palatial Valletta house into a luxury boutique hotel over the course of no less than 15 years, when parts of the original property were re-acquired and re-integrated into the building, thus reversing the fragmentation that had occurred in the past. This allowed for the rehabilitation of the palazzo as a whole, including all the facades, which have contributed towards the urban renewal of its surroundings. What struck the jury most of all, Cassar said, was the fact that despite catering for a new use of the building, the conservation of the original throughout was a top priority. This brought to light the beauty of the palazzo’s architecture, with its 18th century details, which today can be enjoyed and appreciated once more by all. The meticulous restoration of the painted walls and wooden ceiling of the “gran salone” was truly commendable, and it is hoped that other projects of regeneration and re-use, especially in Valletta, will follow the example set by Domus Zamittello. Perit Dr Edwin Mintoff, representing Edwin Mintoff Architects entrusted with the project, received the Prix d’Honneur for the Rehabilitation and Re-Use of Buildings.
In the Category for a Restoration and Conservation Project, two diplomas were awarded: the first was for the commendable and timely restoration of The Garden Battery, Tigne’ by Midi plc. This, stated Cassar, was nothing short of a life-saving operation, which literally brought a long-forgotten and partly buried fortification to see the light of day once more. Intense development totally engulfed this military heritage, but the jury felt that a diploma was due for the efforts to preserve what was left of the military complex carried out with sensitivity and clarity of direction. Cassar added that she hoped that all the military structures in the area will get the treatment they deserve and serve not only as a reminder of the not-so-distant past, but enhance the architecture that will surround them in the future. Perit Ivan Piccinino received the diploma on behalf of Midi plc.
The second diploma in the same Category was awarded for the conservation and restoration of 34, Main Street, Lija a privately-owned residence. The exquisitely sculptured balcony and details which adorn the building necessitated a very skillful intervention to save the remaining original fabric and restore the legibility of what was unfortunately lost due to extreme deterioration and decay. Speaking on behalf of the jury, Cassar said that the lengths that private home-owners go through to preserve the heritage of which they are custodians, is indeed worthy of recognition. Perit Edward Said, on behalf of Architecture XV Ltd, received the diploma for the conservation of 34 Main Street, Lija.
The Prix d’Honneur in this Category for Restoration and Conservation was awarded by the jury to the Installation of an Environmental Control System for the Conservation of The Grand Masters’ Crypt at St John’s CoCathedral, Valletta. This complex and delicate project was necessary to provide the required micro-climatic environment in the newly restored Grand Masters’ Crypt, as determined by the studies carried out by the Courtauld Institute of London, in order to slow down the deterioration of the fresco paintings in the Crypt. The St John’s CoCathedral Foundation, led by curator Dr Cynthia de Giorgio, embarked on a two-year studyphase, together with the architects and with the involvement of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage to determine the best design options for this critical installation and to plan the least intrusive route for the ducts to reach the underground chamber via the occuli, which were already present, but which had been blocked off in subsequent modifications of the Cathedral. The complex project was carried out after much research involved surveys, 3D scans and investigative archaeological work. During the project important discoveries were made including the previous finished floor level of the Cathedral and the Main Altar steps. This project, which was multi-disciplinary, shows how determination to cause the least intrusion on a historical building of national importance can prove to be a success story and one which will help protect the building for the future. Perit Gaston Camilleri received the award on behalf of TBA Periti entrusted with this phase for the environmental control and conservation of the Grand Masters’ Crypt at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta.
The awards were presented by Professor Anthony Bonanno, former executive president of Din lArt Ħelwa and Professor of the Faculty of Archaeology at the University of Malta, who, congratulating the winners on their well-deserved awards and commending the jury for its work, also added that he would encourage more of these excellent projects especially in the area of major regeneration to protect and enhance Malta’s unique built heritage.