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In every issue11PRACTICEFEATURE4 Editorial5 KTP News6 People & Projects9 The next two years10 EU Desk11 SACES12 Modernist Malta14 Preserving Modernism16 EgyptCURRENT18 Events20 Qualifications Directive21 Heritage22 Reviews23 International Events22contents1621“…architecture, like other forms ofart, is a reflection of society in thesocial, cultural, economic and politicalcontexts of that time. Architectureis never static; it is constantlychanging according to the needsand aspirations of every society.”Hon Dr Lawrence Gonzi (see page 21)MARCH 2009 312

THE PROFESSIONAL CENTRESLIEMA ROADGZIRA GZR 06 - MALTATEL./FAX. (+356) 2131 4265EMAIL: kamratalperiti@nextgen.net.mtWEBSITE: www.ktpmalta.comeditorialI was rummaging through the piles of files, books and magazinesat the Kamra’s office last week and came across a copy of “theArchitect” dating back to April 1993. Two things struck me. Thiswas Issue No. 20. At the time, the journal was not publishedon as regular a basis as it is today. In the last five years alone,17 issues of tA have been published on a quarterly basis. Theteam’s dedication over the years, from the first issue to this, haveensured that “the Architect” has found its place on the shelvesof many people, not only architects, but all those who have thebuilt environment at heart. One of our correspondents, a memberof the financial profession, recently wrote to us saying “I amvery sensitive to what the architecture profession did, is doing,and may yet do to the face of Malta in the future, and that, I amsure you agree, actually belongs to all of us.” This is certainly oneof the main aims of this journal: to bring architecture and theprofession closer to the general public and to act as a showcaseof local developments in this regard.The second thing that struck me on opening Issue No. 20 oftA was the fact that the publication reviewed nine out of thethirteen entries for the competition for the design of the OperaHouse that had taken place a few months earlier. The variousteams of architects and engineers were invited to describe theirproposals and to give detailed accounts of the concepts behindtheir projects, the space allocation, the choice of finishes and theimpact they thought their proposal would have on Valletta andthe life of the Maltese population. Thankfully, this edition nowserves as a record of these proposals, which have since beenshelved and are probably now gathering dust and cobwebs insome forsaken storeroom somewhere.These thoughts further emphasise the need for a NationalCentre for the Built Environment, that the Kamra has beenactively working on for the past two years – a home for architectureand for the profession, a place where the work of ourlocal periti can be preserved for future generations, a centre thatcould serve as a depository of the richness of our professionand its achievements. The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti is infact still working towards the setting up of such a Centre, andis making headway in this respect. This exciting project is onethat will serve to bring architecture to the people, and that will,hopefully, act as a catalyst towards achieving a better quality inthe built environment.Today, nearly 16 years down the line to the date from thatpublication of tA, the Opera House project is back on thenational agenda, together with the City Gate and ditch area.World renowned architect Renzo Piano has been appointed topresent proposals to Government for this long debated and longdesired uplift of the entrance to the Capital, and we look forwardto being able to review such proposals, discuss and debate ina not too distant issue of tA. Meanwhile, Government has alsoembarked on an ambitious list of capital projects, including therestoration and rehabilitation of Fort St Elmo, the rebuilding ofthe bridge across the Grand Harbour breakwater, the restorationof the Valletta and Birgu landfronts, not to mention ongoingprojects such as Smart City. These are being viewed as an idealstimulus to the economy, against a backdrop of global economicuncertainty.While churning out projects can be seen as giving a positiveimpetus to the economic scenario, it is imperative that the highstandards of quality in design expected of such important contributionsto our built environment are adhered to. Many of ourbuildings have stood the test of time, remaining as a testimonyto the age in which they were conceived. Any proposals mustreflect contemporary approaches and needs, while at the sametime respecting the context, historical or otherwise, in whichthey are set. This is true of most periods in the history of architecture,not least with what has been identified as the Moderniststint in our local context.Unfortunately, however, the architectural heritage of the modernmovement is more at risk today than during any otherperiod. By the end of the 1980s, many modern masterpieceshad already been demolished or had been changed beyondrecognition. The few excellent Maltese Modernist buildings thatexist are no exception to this trend. This was the main drivingforce behind the exhibition and publication “Modernist Malta:the Architectural Legacy” organised by the Kamra tal-Periti andDin l-Art Helwa, and which is amply reviewed in this issue of tA.If anything, we hope to have achieved our aim of bringing to theforefront this more often than not ignored and unappreciatedpart of our architectural heritage, and hopefully instilled a moresensitive approach by the authorities towards the preservationof these buildings.Perit Simone Vella LenickerEditorTo support members of the profession in achieving excellence in theirpractice of architecture and engineering in the interest of the communityThe Council of the Kamra Tal-Periti for the year 2009consists of Vincent Cassar (President), David Felice(Past President), Simone Vella Lenicker (HonorarySecretary) and Council members Ruben Paul Borg,Jacques Borg Barthet, Keith Cole, Philip Grech,Anthony Fenech Vella, Danica Mifsud, and DamianVella Lenicker.The Architect is the official journal of the KamraTal-Periti. It is published on a quarterly basis anddistributed with the Business Today newspaper. TheArchitect is not to be sold separately.The contents of this journal are copyright.Reproduction in part or in full is forbidden withoutthe permission of the editor. The opinions expressedby writers of signed articles and letters appearing inthe magazine are those of their respective authors,and neither the Kamra Tal-Periti nor MediaToday Co.Ltd is responsible for these opinions or statements.Editor: Simone Vella LenickerConsulting Editor: Danica MifsudDesign: Zvezdan ReljicSales: Adriana Farrugia Tel: 21 382 741 ext. 126Published by:Vjal ir-RihanSan Gwann SGN 4016MaltaTel: +356 21 382 741Fax: +356 21 381 992Email: admin@mediatoday.com.mtPrinted at: Union Print4Cover: Villa Sunshine, Ta’ Xbiex (1970s)Architect: Mario MeneghelloPhotograph: Matthew Mirabelli(see article on page 14)MA R C H 2 0xx0 9

KTP COUNCIL ELECTIONSThe Annual General Meeting of the Kamra tal-Peritiwas held on the 12 December 2008 at the Chamber ofCommerce in Valletta. This brought to its close the termof presidency held by Perit David Felice, who is nowsucceeded by Perit Vincent Cassar. Periti Alberto MiceliFarrugia, Frank Giordmaina Medici and Etienne MicallefGrimaud also ended their terms on Council, and did notstand for re-election. The terms of office of Periti DamianVella Lenicker, Philip Grech and Keith Cole also came toan end. Each of these stood for re-election, together withPerit Jacques Borg Barthet, and were all elected to serveon Council for the coming two years. Perit Ruben PaulBorg was later co-opted onto Council due to the lack ofmembers standing for election. The remaining Councilmembers are Periti Danica Mifsud, Anthony Fenech Vellaand Simone Vella Lenicker, whose terms end in December.Two Council posts are still vacant. This year’s AGM includedan interesting debate between Dr Alex Torpiano who hadjust taken on his new role as Dean of the Faculty for theBuilt Environment, Perit Adrian Mamo as Chairman of theMalta Council for Culture and the Arts, Mr Austin Walker asthe newly appointed Chairman of the Malta Environmentand Planning Authority and Perit Vincent Cassar as theincoming KTP President. The debate was chaired by MsVanessa Macdonald, who left no stone unturned, askingprobing questions on various subjects such as the energydirective, the changes to the course structure, the relationshipbetween architecture and the arts, and the interactionbetween the architectural profession and MEPA. TheMeeting came to a close with a reception held in theCourtyard of the Chamber of Commerce.RENZO PIANO & CITY GATEFollowing the announcement of Government’s intentionsto appoint Renzo Piano to present proposals for theCity Gate and Opera House project, the Kamra tal-Peritipublished its position in this regard, after presenting it tothe Prime Minister in a private meeting held in December2008. The position was also reported in various sectors ofthe press. The statement included the Kamra’s proposalthat had already been presented in “The Urban Challenge”for the setting up of a Design Review Commission thatwould serve as a forum for large and important projects ofthis nature. The full statement may be downloaded fromwww.ktpmalta.com.MEUSACThe Kamra tal-Periti submitted nominations to participatein the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC)Sectoral Committees. The Kamra is currently participatingin the following Sectoral Committees: Education, Youthand Culture; General Affairs; Transport, Communicationsand Energy; Competitiveness and Consumer Affairs;Environment.MEETING ON MEPA REFORMThe Labour Party invited the Kamra tal-Periti to a discussionmeeting regarding the MEPA Reform. Periti Jacques BorgBarthet, Simone Vella Lenicker, Keith Cole and AnthonyFenech Vella attended the meeting which was held on the21 January 2009 at the Party Headquarters. The LabourParty was represented by Perit Ruben Abela, Dr Reno Borg,Ms Pauline Miceli and Dr Jason Bonnici. The KTP presentedits position regarding the Reform, also with respect to itsposition laid out in The Urban Challenge, both of whichhave also been presented to the Prime Minister for hisconsideration.UMAR GENERAL ASSEMBLYPerit Anthony Fenech Vella attended the UMAR GeneralAssembly which was held on the 12-13 January in Morocco.Being the 15th Anniversary of the founding of UMAR, thisGeneral Assembly took on the double role of not onlybeing the statutory annual assembly but also that ofapproving the anniversary celebrations. Held through thekind invitation of the Moroccan Chamber of Architectsin the magical city of Fez, it was also accompanied bycomplementary activities, including a half day Conference,moderated by former UIA President, Gaetan Siew, withthe theme “The Impact of Globalisation on Architect’sProfessional Practice”, held on the afternoon of the 13January after the closing down of the UMAR GA. This wasfollowed by a presentation of International activities ofthe National Council of Architects, ending in a gala Soireewhere awards were presented to a number of artists andartisans in recognition of their contribution to the arts. Afull day annual celebration of “The Day of the Architect”,held every 14th January, also took place, and was highlightedby the presence of no less than three Ministers toexpress the Government’s views and launch plans for thefuture in a very healthy relationship between politiciansand Architects.CELEBRATIONOF CITIES 3The UIA is organisinga competitionentitled“Celebation ofCities 3” and hasasked its membersections topromote thecompetition aswell as to appoint a local jury. Following an invitationby the Council, Periti Conrad Thake, David Pace, GodwinCassar and Norbert Attard were nominated as jury membersto review the Maltese submissions.Members are encouraged to participate. Further informationon this competition can be found on www.celebcities3.org.Panel Discussion during the AGMENERGY DIRECTIVEThe Kamra tal-Periti, represented by Periti Simone VellaLenicker and Ruben Paul Borg, together with the Chamberof Engineers, represented by Ing Charles Cuschieri, wereinvited to a meeting at the Services Division to discussthe impending software for the energy certification ofbuildings. Periti Carm Mifsud Borg and Stephen Pulisrepresented the Works Division, while the engineers writingthe software were also present in order to discuss theprogress and the various features to be embedded withinthe software. They also presented the methodology onwhich the software is based as well as the assumptionsbeing made in its development. The Kamra is continuingto follow up on the progress and it is understood that thesoftware will be available in the coming days.REGULATIONS AND LEGISLATIONA meeting was held on the 16 February 2009 regardingthe proposed amendments to legislation and the Kamra’sregulations as approved during the Extraordinary GeneralMeeting held last April. Periti Vincent Cassar, David Feliceand Damian Vella Lenicker on behalf of the Kamra attendedmeetings and corresponded with representatives ofthe Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs as well as fromthe Works Division. A number of comments were madeby the Ministry regarding the proposals, particularly onTariff K, the Code of Professional Conduct and the Boardof Professional Conduct, issues of liability and professionalindemnity, as well as on the proposal of compulsorymembership of the Kamra, among others. Discussions arestill underway, and the proposals are also being vetted interms of the Services Directive which is due to come intoforce by the end of the year.PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND LIABILITYA seminar on professional conduct was held on the 04February 2009 for university students and repeated forfresh graduates on the 04 March 2009. These seminarspresented the Code of Professional Conduct to the attendees,together with various practical examples highlightingsituations where periti may find themselves in situationsin which is not always obvious which course to take, andwhat is the correct ethical behaviour to be adopted. Theseseminars will be repeated annually. The Kamra is alsoorganising a CPD on Professional Liability and Indemnityto be held on the 21 April 2009. Further details will beforwarded to members in the coming days.KTP NewsMARCH 2009 5

people & projectsRAFAEL VIÑOLY ARCHITECTS2009 RESEARCH GRANTSAWARDEDRafael Viñoly Architects (RVA) recentlyannounced the award of four independentResearch Fellowships for 2009. The globalcall for entries saw over 180 proposalsfrom 39 countries with a wide approachto the suggested general theme: howarchitecture can better meet the needs ofcommunities undergoing social and environmentalstress. The research teams for2009 are made up of both academics andpractitioners and include researchers fromMexico, Australia, Colombia, France, Chinaand the USA. They will harness researchtechniques drawn from environmental psychology,anthropology and documentaryphotography, in addition to architectureand urban planning, in order to analysethe performance of buildings and urbanprojects under real-world conditions andpropose plausible, improved, real-worldsolutions.Rafael Viñoly says of the grants, “Researchis the lifeblood of the profession. And inthese difficult times it is especially importantto reaffirm our commitment to architecturalinvestigation that does not onlyapply to design and technique but alsoto basic questions of human welfare.” Thefour research programs to be undertakenrevolve around the following topics: Thetransformation of squatter settlements intourban neighbourhoods; Investigation ofrelief efforts after the 2004 tsunami in theworst hit region of Aceh, Indonesia, andpropose guidelines for future efforts; theperformance of large-scale urban projectsin Bogotá, Colombia; Housing in China,exploring steps toward a solution. NedKaufman, program director, adds that“These four projects get at the essenceof the question behind this year’s grantround: how can architecture promote liveablesettlements in the face of environmentalstress, global poverty, and socialturbulence? By supporting and disseminatingresearch from all four hemispheres, welook forward to promoting global dialogueon these themes.”PERIT FREDERICK DOUBLETThe 01 March 2009 saw the passing awayof Perit Frederick Doublet at the age of 77years. On behalf of the Council of the Kamratal-Periti and its members, the EditorialTeam extends its condolences to his familyand friends.INTERNATIONALARCHITECTURAL OLYMPIADThe Union of International Architects (UIA)Korean Section, the Federation of Institutesof Korean Architects (FIKA), organises ona yearly basis, together with the School ofArchitecture and Architectural Engineeringat Hanyang University in Korea (HYU) andthe National University of Singapore (NUS),the “International Architectural Olympiad”.The purpose of this confrontation ofprojects by high school students in Koreaand Singapore is to highlight the talentof young people who wish to becomearchitects, and to provide the public withan opportunity to better understand architecture,urban planning, the environmentand its resources. This initiative also revealsthe creativity, the hopes and the dreams ofthe young students who aspire to createa new society through architecture. TheOlympiad, that seeks to raise the awarenessof young people to architecture and thebuilt environment has, since the outset,received the support of the InternationalUnion of Architects.The fourth edition of this Olympiad tookplace last May, when students were receivedby the two Universities, and had four hoursto design an architectural project on a commontheme. One of Italo Calvino’s ‘Invisiblecities’: Sophronia, thin city, was chosenas the source of inspiration for the youngarchitects of tomorrow whose projects hadto be realised as models. This session metwith a lively success with the participationof 658 young students: 398 from Korea and260 from Singapore. For the 5th consecutiveyear, the Olympiad will also take placethis year in April.EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITALAWARDStockholm and Hamburg have beencrowned the first Green Capital Citiesof Europe. Stockholm will hold the titlefor 2010 and will then pass it on toHamburg for 2011. European EnvironmentCommissioner, Stavros Dimas made theannouncement at the first European GreenCapital Awards Ceremony on 23 Februaryin Brussels. Eight cities were shortlisted:Amsterdam, Bristol, Copenhagen, Freiburgim Breisgau, Hamburg, Münster, Oslo andStockholm.Stockholm impressed the evaluation panelwith its holistic vision, which combinesgrowth with sustainable development. Itsplans for the future include becoming fossilfree by 2050and the cityhas put stronggreen programmesandmeasures inplace across theboard. The cityhas a long traditionof fightingclimate change.The Swedishcapital has also introduced a pioneeringCongestion Charging system resulting inreduced car use and reduced emissions.The city of Hamburg was commendedfor its many comprehensive approaches,policy commitment and for having a stronggreen vision. The city has set ambitiousclimate protection goals and has put theinfrastructure in place to carry them out. Italso contributes to its inhabitant’s quality oflife by having an excellent transport systemwith almost 100 percent of citizens within300 metres of high class public transport.ROYAL GOLD MEDAL 2009Álvaro Siza has been announced as theRIBA’s 2009 Royal Gold Medallist. As part ofthe RIBA’s 175th anniversary celebrations,the medal was presented by Her MajestyThe Queen at a private audience atBuckingham Palace on 26 February 2009.This is only the fourth time the medal hasbeen presented by The Queen in person.The official citation reads: “Álvaro Siza issimply a profoundly complete architectwho defies categorisation. The forging of amasterful and seemingly inevitable architectureout of the possibilities of a siteis one of the supreme characteristics ofÁlvaro Siza’s architecture. He manipulatesIbere Camargo Foundation Interior by Alvaro SizaArchitects. Photo Fernando Guerrahis readings of place into sculptural formsthat are never predictable or ordinary, yetare never allowed to dominate over use ortypological intelligibility. In Siza’s buildings,perhaps like no others, it is the relationshipsbetween the elements of the architecturethat is given primacy rather than the shapeor texture of the elements themselves. Thisis an architecture in which an economyof expressive means is combined with anabundance of spatial revelation.Álvaro Siza is, and always has been, acommitted teacher and educator. He hasenabled many younger architects to gaincommissions through the work he wasinitially offered and this selflessness is oneof many examples of his commitment tothe greater architectural project, ratherthan to personal success. Unusually for anarchitect of such international standing,Siza has deliberately kept his studio smallto ensure his attention to every project. Heis generous with his appreciation of otherarchitects. For the inspiring and instructivebody of work he has produced over 40years, and for his immense contribution toarchitecture through dialogue and teaching,the RIBA, on behalf of H. M. the Queen,is honoured to present the 2009 Royal GoldMedal for Architecture to Álvaro JoaquimMelo Siza Vieira. We wish him many moreyears of fulfilment of his unique vision ofthe possibilities of building.”GLENN MURCUTT GOLDMEDALThe American Institute of Architects (AIA)has recognised the work of Glenn Murcutt’sand his international influence by awardinghim the 2009 AIA Gold Medal. From the far6MARCH 2009

Photo – DOI, Pierre Sammutpeople & projectsCOOLING WITHOUT AIR-CONDITIONINGThis symposium will take place at St JamesCavalier, Valletta, on the 25th and 26thJune 2009. The event presents a uniqueopportunity for architects, engineers, andmembers of the construction industry andthe public sector, to gain added and significantinsight into the latest innovation onpassive alternatives to mechanical cooling.The symposium will focus on the recentdevelopments and applications of passiveand hybrid downdraught cooling in buildingsaround the world. Public, commercialand global research interest in the deliveryof ‘zero carbon’ buildings has never beenhigher and the adverse energy and environmentalimpact of conventional air-conditioninghas clearly been demonstrated.The agenda is to review the opportunitiesfor avoiding conventional mechanical coolingin buildings whereas a technical workshopon the design and performance analysisof alternative systems will take place.The work in progress of an EC supporteddissemination project on the technologyfor Passive and Hybrid DowndraughtCooling in Buildings (PHDC) will also bepresented and delegates will receive a copyof the draft sourcebook being developed.There will be the opportunity to visit theMalta Stock Exchange building where anexample of downdraught cooling is showcased.Speakers and participating partnerswill include: The Federation of EuropeanHeating and Air-Conditioning Association(REHVA); Architecture Project, Malta; MarioCucinella Architects, Italy; Davis Langdon,UK; Association of Research and IndustrialCooperation of Andalusia (AICIA), Spain;and The University of Nottingham, UK.For more information and for registeringto the event visit www.phdc.eu. Due tolimited availability, seats will be allocatedon a first come first serve basis.SITUATE“situate” is an international sculpture competitionfor Perth, Western Australia. ForrestPlace, which is the location of a proposedmajor multi-million dollar upgrade, hasbeen announced as the site for the artwork.The competition has been designedto encourage innovative partnershipsbetween creative minds from a range ofdisciplines. $1million is being offered foran artwork to transform the city landscape,and represents a new challenge to publicart and its interaction with the built environmentin Western Australia. Informationon the competition can be found on www.situate.dca.wa.gov.au. The closing date forStage 1 entries is the 20 May 2009.WAN INTERNATIONALSECTOR AWARDSFollowing on from the success of the thirdWAN (WorldA r c h i t e c t u r eN e w s . c o m )House of theYear Award,a bi-monthlyprogramme ofinternationalAwards bySector hasbeen launched. The sectors include projectsrelated to education, healthcare, civicbuildings, offices and commercial buildings,transport and residential buildings.Further information on the Awards andsubmission information can be viewed onwww.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.showawardinformationsNEW WARRANTSIn March, Minister George Pullicino presentedwarrants to practice as Architectsand Civil Engineers to 27 graduates whohad successfully completed their yearof practice. These were Luella Lee Beck,Veronica Bonello, David Bonnici, RandolphBorg, Richard Borg, Roderick Camilleri,Ian Camilleri Cassar, Glorianne Cardona,Mark Caruana, Paul Cuschieri, Karl Cutajar,Daniel Darmanin, Eve Degiorgio, DorianneEllis, Lucienne Ellul, Anthony Gatt, AlexiaMercieca, Brendon Muscat, Daniel Muscat,Steve Risiott, Alex Spiteri, Cleaven Tabone,David Marcel Theuma, Josette Theuma,Ruben Vassallo, Mark Vella, Josef Zahra. Onbehalf of the Council of the Kamra tal-Peritiand its members, the Editorial Team wishesthem all the best for their work within theprofession.Letters to the EditorLetters from our readers to be consideredfor publication are most welcome.Letters for inclusion in Issue 49 are toreach us by the 10th May 2009. Pleasewrite to: The Editor, “the Architect”,Kamra tal-Periti, The Professional Centre,Sliema Road, Gzira GZR 1633, or send anemail to thearchitect@ktpmalta.com. Allcontributions will be acknowledged.8MARCH 2009

The next two yearsby Perit Vincent CassarAs I take over my responsibilities asPresident of the Kamra, I look back downthe line of former Presidents and feel proudto step into that role knowing and recognisingthe useful work that has been doneover the years by these Past Presidents.Without putting any emphasis on one orthe other I feel that I have to acknowledgethe excellent work that has been done overthe last few years since Malta became afull member of the European Union, withLawrence Mintoff being in the seat on thathistoric moment and with David Pace andDavid Felice following thereafter.Since then a lot of work has been doneby the Council and others who had theopportunity and the honour to work withthe same Council. Malta’s accession to theEU has not only brought changes in thegeneral administration of the country, butit has also had its impact on how theprofession functions and operates. Overthe last years the Council has had to dealwith issues relating to the Internal MarketDirective, Competition and Competiveness,advertising of professional services andEnergy Efficiency of Buildings. I can assureyou that more is to come in the futureand we have to be prepared to face thesechallenges with determination and in acompact and coordinated manner.On the other hand, however, EU membershiphas brought with it new opportunitiesfor the profession and opened up newavenues for all of us even if the recentcrises has had its impact in a slow down ofthe economy and on the purchasing andinvestment scenario.On an international level our associationwith the Union of International Architects(UIA), the Union of Mediterranean Architects(UMAR) and with the Architects’ Council ofEurope (ACE) is even stronger than it wasbefore and the potential of our activities inthese three organisations cannot be overstressed.It is a means of learning mainlyfrom the experience of our colleagues inEurope and in other countries. It is also ameans of contributing to our own growthand that of the profession in general. Ourparticipation at ACE has had its successover the last years, with David Felice beingan Executive Board member by rotationfor 2006-2007, and myself being electedto the Executive Board in 2007 followingelections at the AGM of ACE, after which Iwas assigned the post of Treasurer. DuringPerit Vincent Cassarmy term of office I was also appointedas the coordinator on behalf of ACE ofthe Thematic Area “Architecture and theQuality of Life”. Only recently we had theopportunity to host a meeting in Malta forthe four Work Groups forming part of thisThematic Area. Nineteen architects comingfrom eleven EU Member States took part.We need to strengthen further our associationwith ACE as it is the organisation thatlooks after the interests of the professionwithin the EU and much depends on itsinteraction with the Commission.Our association with UIA and UMAR arealso very strong. Suffice it to say that TonyFenech Vella currently holds the post ofTreasurer for UMAR following his recentelection to its Executive Board.Over the years the Kamra has concentratedmore often than not on the architecturalaspect of the profession, possibly to theneglect of the civil engineering aspect.Only last year did the Kamra become a fullmember of the European Council of CivilEngineers (ECCE) – better late than never. Itis my earnest hope that during my term ofoffice the engineering aspects of the professionwill be given greater importance inour activities and will feature more prominentlyin the annual calendar of events.We need to build up on what has alreadybeen achieved over the years. We need torespond to the needs of our members andwhen we refer to ‘our members’ we mustalso include those who for one reason oranother have never or rarely felt the needto contribute to the workings of the Kamra.One must remember that although themembers sitting on the Council are all voluntaryand are elected by those memberswho contribute financially to the upkeepof the Kamra, the work that the Councilas a whole and that each Council membercarries out or engages in impinges on thewhole profession, even on those who donot participate in the Kamra’s workings,activities and decisions.It is our responsibility to act on behalf ofour members, indeed for the whole professionand in order that both our actionsand voice may be seen and heard, appreciatedand acted upon in the interest of theprofession, we need the support of all.We need to be seen to act on behalf of allWarrant holders. We need to know their difficulties,their problems, their aspirations.We need to know where and when to act. Itis useless to sit back and expect that thingswill change or to grumble only and expectresults. We need to work in tandem withthe whole profession. This is not my Kamra,nor is it the Kamra of the Council members,it is the Kamra of each and everyone of you.It is your voice.The challenges ahead of us are many andover the coming months the Council willembark on a new programme and newinitiatives. It will, first and foremost, baseits activities on progressing further thoseinitiatives that have already been takenin hand previously. Just to mention a fewwe will focus further on expanding theArchitecture and Children project andcontinue to develop further the conceptof a Commission for Architecture andthe Built Environment and the subsequentestablishment of the Centre forArchitecture and the Built Environment.One aspect that will definitely take up animportant focus will be the completion ofthe process leading up to the publicationof a revised Periti Act, of the Regulationsof the Kamra, the Code of ProfessionalConduct, the Tariff structure and standardcontracts of agreement between thePeriti and their clients. Although muchhas already been done in this area we arestill engaged in discussions with government.As a profession we need to be aware ofthe directives and regulations that arebeing enacted at EU level and prepareourselves to be able to cope with rules onfree competition and freedom to provideservices that will soon come into forceand with future rules on consumer rights.In this respect we need first of all to putour house in order and it is thus importantthat the discussions we are currentlyhaving with government are concludedas early as possible in order to give us astrong basis where we can act in the fullinterests of the profession.Architecture, the quality of the built environment,sustainable development andenergy efficiency now seem to be all atthe forefront of the national agenda. Wehave been protagonists in this and inmoving these issues forward. We havemanaged to push architecture and thebuilt environment to the forefront of thenational agenda and it is now up to us tokeep them at that level and lead the wayinto the future.In celebrating during this year the 90thanniversary of the formation of the Kamraand feeling proud of our architecturalpast we must also not only remember butemphasise that the quality architecturethat we produce and create today willbecome the heritage of the future.xxxxx the next two yearsMARCH 2009 9

Modernist MaltaModernist Malta:the architectural legacy, and moreby Perit Maria MifsudThe “interest in thevernacular coincidedwith Malta’s achievementof independence in theearly 1960’s and theconsequent interestin exploring Maltesecultural identity”’ – Dr.Petra Bianchi (p.47).The link between formfollowing function,and the essence invernacular architecture,may be as intriguingas the link betweenvernacular architectureand cultural identity.The common factor: thepattern of life.Where it all beganIn a world with a rising Le Corbusier andwhere white walls enhanced simple aesthetic,the context of Malta remained asalient principle to keep in mind in orderto maintain Identity while “embracingmodernity”.The local context contrasted with the linearforms and the use of concrete, whichbecame widespread across Europe. Theuse of raw concrete (beton-bruit) andthe structural forms shed light on theimportance and beauty in form – andreminds us about the Form-Follows-Function saga, triggered by a manifestoof Louis Sullivan in America in the earlytwentieth century.Giuseppe Psaila, Joseph Huntingford,Lewis Farrugia, Salvatore Ellul, CarmeloFalzon and Richard England are but afew examples of architects aspiring tointroduce modernity inthe small “island-fortressin the Mediterranean’’ inthe twentieth century.According to Perit AlbertoMiceli Farrugia “It was aprogressive movementthat sought to invigoratearchitecture and make itrelevant to the needs andaspirations of contemporarysociety.” (p.29).The disregard in respect of Modernistarchitecture became appalling to many.The disparity between the value givento Malta’s (older) heritage and the valuegiven to the twentieth century built heritagebecame blatant.Modernist Malta: the architectural legacyis the occurrence. The exhibition: acelebration of Malta’s twentieth centuryarchitecture. The book: a lasting memoryof this event.In the makingThe Kamra tal-Periti (Chamber ofArchitects and Civil Engineers) collaboratedwith the National Trust of Malta(Din L-Art Helwa) in the organisation ofa photographic exhibition of Modernistarchitecture in Malta. The Malta Councilfor Culture and the Arts assisted in supportingthe event organisation whileHalMann Vella Ltd sponsored the event.Perit Alberto Miceli Farrugia acted ascurator of the event, which took place atSt James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity,Valletta, and kicked off on the 23rdJanuary 2009, lasting till the 27th ofFebruary 2009.The idea was to capture the spirit ofarchitecture in Malta in the middle of thetwentieth century, displayed in a restrictednumber of images. The intention wasto increase knowledge, education in andappreciation of, an era which seemed tobe forgotten and unacknowledged.The Kamra tal-Periti had embarked onthe almost arduous task of drawing up alist of modern buildings of the twentiethcentury which they thought deserve tobe scheduled. The list was then forwardedto the Malta Environment and12 MARCH 2009

Photo – DOI, Saviour CassarPlanning Authority (MEPA). The exhibition’sorganising committee then categorisedthe list of buildings accordingto their typology, such as residential,educational, and so on. These were thendivided amongst the selected photographers.The plot was finally ready.The photographers were invited to photographthe buildings within a restrictedspace allotted to each, and with quite arigid brief: photos were to be all presentedin black and white and were to be of aspecific size to adhere to an elegant exhibitiondesign. Patrick Fenech, MatthewMirabelli, Sergio Muscat, Alexandra Paceand Darrin Zammit Lupi embarked onthis vexing chore, the aftermath of whichis what we see today: a documentationof details of buildings we merely recognisewhen seen through the eyes ofartists. This certainly clarifies the pointthe organisers were trying to make:the urgent necessity to spare secondthoughts about an architectural stylethat was to date, in my opinion, underestimated.It certainly justifies the need ofa well-deserved acknowledgement and,moreover, scheduling and protection ofmodernist architecture in Malta.The detail in photographyIt is perhaps ironic, that the twentiethcentury architecture required the meansof an art developed during the same era,in parallel to the construction of these“works of art”: Photography.Details captured on less than a metresquared of space, fragments of detailszoomed in and enhanced, un-noticedPhoto – DOI, Saviour Cassarand hidden corners brought to light.Maybe photography was not only ameans to commemorate modernist architecturesimply as a way of producingimages, maybe it meant also an industriousundertaking of a silent protest, usingart itself, born in the same spirit of time,to commemorate another art.“‘However, after the first impression, I lookand, in every detail, I find a new interest...’– Dr. Pedro Domingo Curutchet in a letterto Le Corbusier, 12 June 1949.”Having a closer look at the details ofthese buildings, using a monochrometechnique almost reflecting the passingof time and enhancing the blunt statementand sharp angles of the works ofart, one learns to appreciate the design infragments. Fragments as part of a whole,just like the undoing of something inorder to recognise and to value its assembly,and therefore, the whole: the work ofart, the building itself.The outcome“Undoubtedly, in Malta, we have moreoften than not looked upon our more contemporaryworks of architecture not somuch as works of art... we have treatedthem with far less respect than we wouldnormally grant Neo-Classical nineteenthcentury or earlier Baroque structures.” –Perit Alberto Miceli-Farrugia (p.7)As the Prime Minister, the HonourableDr Lawrence Gonzi, stated in his speechat the opening of theexhibition at St JamesCavalier, architecture, likeany other art, is a reflectionof society in terms ofsocial, cultural, economicand political values ofthe time. In sync with theconcept of the Zeitgeist,therefore, it is right to saythat, to the best of myknowledge, protecting,commemorating, documentingand highlightingModernist architecture in Malta is notonly true to the spirit of Malta in thetwentieth century, but also true to thespirit of Malta today, in the twenty-firstcentury, whereby we value, cherish andcelebrate our past.It is possibly by chance that the ModernistArchitecture exhibition took place withina 16th century vaulted space – this allowingan enhanced manifestation of the differencebetween the public perception ofthe 16th century heritage and the publicperception of Modernist architecturalheritage.Is it not a subtle and gentle message tothe public that the exhibition of twentiethcentury works of art were exhibited,celebrated and acknowledged within aspace dating over 400 years old? A paradoxof Time, maybe.A celebration of Memory. A cross-culturalManifesto.Modernist Malta – the architecturallegacyReferences:Unless otherwise stated, all quotationsare taken form “Modernist Malta – thearchitectural legacy”Acknowledgements:Thanks are due to the following for theirdedication and hard work in puttingtogether the exhibition and publication:Perit Alberto Miceli Farrugia (Curator andCo-Editor); Dr Petra Bianchi (Co-Editor andAuthor); Dr Conrad Thake (Author); MsAnn Dingli (Assistant Curator); Perit DanielDarmanin (Exhibition design); Periti GretaCaruana Smith, Anthony Fenech Vella,Danica Mifsud, and Maria Mifsud togetherwith Guillaume Dreyfuss and Alberto Favaro(Contributors); Patrick Fenech, MatthewMirabelli, Sergio Muscat, Alexandra Pace andDarrin Zammit Lupi (Photographers); PeritChristopher Micallef and Daine Pranaityte(Design and layout of publication); MarkVella and Martin Ciappara (on behalf ofHalMann Vella Ltd, sponsors); Perit AdrianMamo and Davinia Galea (on behalf of theMalta Council for Culture and the Arts, whosupported the whole undertaking).Modernist MaltaMARCH 200913

Preserving ModernismA case for preserving theby Dr Conrad ThakeSt Therese of Lisieux Sanctuary,B’Kara (1975-1985)Architect: Giorgio PaciniPhotograph: Alexandra PacePublic appreciation of modernmovement buildingsin Malta has generallybeen lacking as modernarchitecture has beenassociated with the unfortunatelyall too frequentshoddy and nondescriptaesthetics of rampant building speculation.In recent years a number of iconic modernarchitectural works have been demolishedor severely compromised with the blessingof the authorities. One can mention the QalaPrimary school, the MIRA building in Gzira,Villa La Maltija in Naxxar and several hotelsdesigned by Richard England dating to the1960s. Others, such as the former Joinwellshowroom in Sliema and the former BritishServicemen Married Quarters (the ex-WhiteRocks complex) in Bahar ic-Caghaq, are alsoin manifest danger of demolition.Official scheduling of buildings and monumentsby MEPA affords a degree of protectionagainst demolition or substantial physicalchanges to the building fabric. However,the vast majority of scheduled buildingsdate to the time of the Order of St John orthe British colonial period. To my knowledgethe number of post-Art Nouveau buildingsthat have been scheduled can be countedon the fingers of one hand. Very few, if any,post-Second World War buildings have beenscheduled and technically speaking, modernisticons such as England’s Manikata parishchurch and Emvin Cremona’s residencein Attard are not formally protected by thescheduling process.Internationally the organisationDOCOMOMO lobbies for the documentationand conservation of buildings representativeof the Modern Movement. It has beenvery active in raising awareness, particularlyamongst public authorities, of the need topreserve the best examples of modernistarchitecture which until a decade or so agowere deemed to be disposable.The Mellieha Holiday Centre, GhadiraBay, Mellieha (1975-1979)Architect: Hans Munk HansenPhotograph: Sergio Muscat14MARCH 2009

modernist legacyPreserving ModernismFloriana Primary School, Floriana (1960)Architect: Renato LaferlaPhotograph: Darrin Zammit LupiThere have been a few shocking examplesof lack of appreciation even fromNorth America with the demolition ofRichard Neutra’s masterpiece the Samueland Luella Maslon House in Palm Springs,California and Arthur Erickson’s pioneeringGraham House in British Columbia.DOCOMOMO has also lobbied hardagainst the physical neglect and wholescale demolition of a number of importantearly twentieth century Soviet-era buildingsin Moscow. With its network of individualcountry committees DOCOMOMOhas succeeded in raising a world-wideawareness of the need to preserve thefinest examples of modern movementarchitecture. In 2005 DOCOMOMO publishedin the periodical ‘Japan Architect’a listing and visual documentation of thecountry’s 100 most important modernbuildings constructed during the period1920-1970.Since the Qala primary school debacle aUniversity of Malta, Tal-QroqqHumanities Building (1963-1970)Architect: Norman & DawbarnPhotograph: Patrick Fenechfew years ago there have been a few positivesigns. Since then Malta has establishedits own national committee withinDOCOMOMO international. An appeal bythe Kamra tal-Periti to save the ex-Rediffusionbuilding in Gwardamangia fromredevelopment did not fall on deaf earswith the Prime Minister intervening tohalt and abort the project. Yet, it has to beadmitted that architects aside not all sectorsof the general public could appreciatethe need to preserve such a building.Unfortunately, the debate on architecturalconservation has all too often beenreduced to a simplistic and subjectiveargumentation on the aesthetic value ofthe building.The need for preservation goes beyondsuperficial considerations of style – buildingsare products of their times and it isonly fitting that we endeavour to preservebuildings and structures that are bestrepresentative of their times. The ex-Red-De Giorgio Residence, St Julian’s (1954)Architect: Mortimer and DegiorgioPhotograph: Matthew Mirabelliiffusion buildingis certainly oneof Malta’s pioneeringmodernmovement buildingswere a modernistdesign wasdeemed fittingfor a broadcastingstation keenon projecting animage of technologicalprogressand modernity.Some of our governmentschoolsbuilt in the 1950sand 60s are worthyexamples ofmodern architecture.They meritconservation andto be dealt with ina sensitive mannerwhen subjectto expansion oralterations.The schedulingof the best examplesof modernarchitecture although an indispensable processshould not be an end in itself. Thereshould also be financial incentives in theform of tax rebates and grants that permitthe restoration and re-adaptation of primemodernist buildings when relevant. Boththe government and ecclesiastical authoritiesare duty bound to set an example byconserving those modernist masterpieceswithin their jurisdiction.The recent photographic exhibition onmodernist architecture organised jointly bythe Kamra tal-Periti and Din L-Art Helwa, hasfurther contributed to disseminating publicawareness and appreciation for an architecturalperiod which has all too often beenunderstated and undervalued. Architecturalconservation knows no boundaries in time.The message is that we owe it to future generationsto also preserve the best buildingsdating to the second half of the twentiethcentury.MARCH 2009 15

EgyptSENMUT ANDThe relationship between an ancient Egyptian Architect and his patron female PharaohProf. Richard England recently visited Egypt.Fascinated by the richness of its ancient architectureand in particular by the MortuaryMemorial of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir elBahri he relates the intriguing relationshipbetween this female Pharaoh and Senmut,the architect of the project, while illustratingthe building with his drawings.On the west bank of the Nile in an areaonce known as Thebes, the sacred capitalof the New Kingdom (1550-1069 BC), nowLuxor, stands the Mortuary Memorial ofHatshepsut, one of the most extraordinaryarchitectural complexes of ancient Egypt.Hatshepsut must, without doubt, be consideredone of the most intriguing andfascinating personalities of all of Egypt’sreigning Pharaohs. Having assumed therole of Pharaoh on the death of her consortand half-brother Thutmoses II in 1479 BC atthe age of 29 (after having exiled her youngstep-son Thutmoses III), she elected herselfthe sixth Pharaoh of the 18th Dynastyclaiming divine birth by stating that it wasthe god Amon-Ra who had fathered her ina mystical union with her mother. Duringher reign, which was long and prosperous,she portrayed herself as a male Pharaohalso assuming the traditional false beardworn by male rulers. She is remembered,above all, for her strength of characterand for having established fruitful tradingexchanges with neighbouring countries toenrich her own native land. She also devotedmuch of her time to a series of buildingprojects comparable in calibre to thesplendors which were yet to come in theClassical period of architecture, a thousandyears later. Among the many monumentsshe commissioned, were additions to theTemple complex of Karnak, in particulartwo Aswan red granite Obelisks, one ofwhich still stands today as the tallest survivingObelisk from the Ancient world.However, the outstanding masterpieceof all her building projects remains herMortuary Temple Complex at Deir el Bahriconceived as a paradisiacal home for thegods Amon, Hathor and Anubis. In a picturesqueexploitation of its dramatic site, nextto the burial grounds of the Valley of theKings, it was developed from the adjacentearlier funerary complex of Mentuhotep I.This stunning complex consists of a threetiered colonnade structure facing the risingsun, with its inner-most chamber alignedwith her own tomb inthe Valley of the Kings,delving deep into thedarkness of the cliff asif to establish an axisechoing life’s birthdeathcycle.This stark, minimalist,almost modern complexwas designed bythe architect Senmutwith the specific intentionof perpetuatingthe memory of hispowerful and enigmaticPharaoh patron.Many of the hieroglyphicsin the complexwere commissionedspecifically toglorify her status and“CertainlySenmutmust beconsideredas one ofthe mostingenious andinnovativeof thearchitectsof ancientEgypt”to preserve her memory, often referring toher as “a beautiful blooming maiden”. Oneparticular inscription reads “she has donewhat no one has done since the beginningof time”. The building cascades down fromthe stark back-dropof limestone hills incadences of light andshade to a vast ceremonialplaza precinct,once adorned withfountains and plantedwith myrrh, frankincenseand other exotictrees brought overby Hatshepsut’s tradeexpeditions to thefabled land of Punt(perhaps Somalia); thewhole preceded by animposing long avenueof Sphinxes.Senmut, born a commoner,had started hislife as an officer in theservice of Hatshepsut’s16MARCH 2009

HATSHEPSUTEgyptfather, Thutmoses I. He rose in rank tobecome not only Hatshepsut’s architectbut also her trusted personal consultantand Chancellor, officially titled as the “HighSteward of the King”. As an architect he wasconversant in the knowledge of mathematicsand geometry; and also a refined scholar.He himself had self-indulgently written“there was nothing that I did not knowof that which happened since the beginningof time”. Though remaining a bachelorthroughout his life, many believe that hehad also been in reality Hatshepsut’s loverand perhaps even fathered her daughter.In an unfinished tomb house for workersadjacent to the Mortuary complex, a graffiticarving depicts a male person indulgingin sexual acts with a hermaphrodite inPharaonic clothing (an obvious reference tothe female Pharaoh). There is no doubt thatSenmut did in fact enjoy special favour withHatshepsut. That she allowed him to carvepersonal images and place his name on thedoors of the Deir el Bahri complex confirmsthis. No commoner would ever have beengranted such a privilege. Besides beingthe architect of this masterly work of theMemorial which became known as DjeserDjeseru, ‘Sublime of the Sublimes’, or ‘Holyof Holies’, he was also responsible for thesupervision of the cutting, transportationand erection of the twin Obelisks orderedby Hatshepsut at the Karnak temple.Among the numerous depictions of thisancient Egyptian architect which have survived,he is portrayed in the Memorialbuilding as a member of the Punt expeditionas well as in Ostraca found in his tombtogether with a number of statues of himholding Hatshepsut’s daughter Neferure.If he was not Neferure’s father, certainlyhe was her teacher and mentor. Two otherblock statues, one in a kneeling positionand the other depicting him holding a pictorialrepresentation of Hatshepsut’s namein his hands, also survive. All of these testifyto the status he had attained and also tothe reverence and respect that he musthave enjoyed. Certainly Senmut must beconsidered as one of the most ingeniousand innovative of the architects of ancientEgypt overshadowed only by his early 27thcentury BC predecessor Imhotep, the firstarchitect in history to be known by name.Senmut died in the 17th year of Hatshepsut’sreign. Although his tomb has been discoveredclose to the Deir el Bahri memorial,his body has never been found, while themummy of his patron Pharaoh was onlyidentified in 2007. Senmut’s death remainsmysterious. Some believe he was actuallyordered to be put to death by Hatshepsutherself after she discovered that he was havingamorous relationships with Neferure.Whatever his relationship with Hatshepsutand her offspring, his name in architecturalhistory remains paramount. The Mortuarycomplex at Deir el Bahri is a timeless architecturalmasterpiece; an apt and fittingtestament to his genius. Serene and symmetricallybalanced, this man-made stagesetplaced against the natural grandeur ofthe background cliff is truly an architectureof eternity. To climb the ascending rampsof Deir el Bahri, walk through its cascadingcourts and tread across its terraced levels,is indeed a knee weakening experience.One questions not what we have learntsince then but more appropriately whatwe have lost. T.S. Elliot’s words “where hasall the wisdom gone lost in knowledge?”come to mind.It is a truism that man, when building for hislife-time, is constantly conscious of his temporality.On the other hand, when buildingfor after-life, his buildings are conceivedas if to defy time and extend to timelessness.Though Hatshepsut’s enemies tried todestroy her memory, her stepson and successorThutmoses III, who she had earlierbanished in order to assume the throne,chiseled and defaced practically all herimages from the walls of the Mortuary temple.To this day, this strong-willed femalePharaoh, through her architect’s Memorialmasterpiece to perpetuate her memory,actually achieved her desire of immortality.Senmut’s genius as an architect will remainmanifest in the stones of the Deir el Bahricomplex. The relationship with his patronPharaoh Queen adds an extra dimension ofintrigue and mystery, making their wholelife story a worthy script for a Hollywoodmovie.MARCH 200917

EventsA busy start to 2009Although only three months of the yearhave passed us by, the Kamra’s calendarwas full to the brim with events that attractedmany to participate, dialogue and enjoy.Certainly the most important of these wasthe exhibition on Modernist Malta and theaccompanying publication that is amplyreviewed in this issue of “the Architect.”Besides the showing at St James Cavalierin Valletta, the exhibition was also onshow during the Malta Property Expo heldbetween the 27 February and the 1 Marchat the Malta Fairs and Convention Centrein Ta’ Qali. This Expo, organised by DuplexReal Estate Branding, is set to become anannual event, and offered the opportunityfor networking with various suppliers andactors in the construction sector, as wellas the chance to expose the work of theKamra to an audience that is maybe less intouch with the Kamra’s role, activities andeducational remit. The Kamra is indebtedto members of the SACES committee fortheir invaluable help in manning the standduring the three days of the Expo.During the Expo, the Kamra held the first ofthe series of Architecture Nights for 2009.Husband and wife team Franco Purini andLaura Thermes enthralled the audiencewith their presentation of works. Purini,Professor of Architectonic Composition andCity Planning at the Valle Giulia Faculty ofArchitecture of the La Sapienza Universityin Rome, set up his studio in 1966 withThermes. Together they have dealt withcity planning problems and with issuesof architectural language, following anexperimental line characterised by a highlyrational component but also based onfigurative suggestions belonging to classicaltradition. This research resulted in aconsistent number of projects, includingnumerous national and international competitions,extensively documented on themost important Italian and foreign publications.As well as devoting his time tothis sphere of activity, Franco Purini is alsovery interested in the so-called “architetturadisegnata”. Some of his plates are keptat the Projects Archive of the I.U.A.V., at theMuseum of Architecture of Frankfurt, at theMuseum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, at theA.A.M. Archive in Rome and in some privatecollections, including the Della Costanza-Turner collection in Atlanta.Laura Thermes, on the other hand, isboth architect and theorist. She attemptedto unite the legacy of 20th-centuryRationalism, particularly the experimentsof the Russian Constructivists, the elementarismof the early Le Corbusier and thework of the Italian Gruppo 7, especiallyAdalberto Libera and Giuseppe Terragni,to the wider history of architecture. Herapproach was also indebted to the essayComment j’ai crit certains de mes livres(1935) by Raymond Roussel (1877-1933).Her plans and projects exhibit qualities ofexcess and rhetorical complexity, reminiscentof Piranesi, in a search for an imaginativesynthesis of her sources of inspiration.Her most successful designs relate tothe theme of the house and its ability torestore a metaphorical dimension to urbanlife. These include the Casa des Farmacista(1980), Gibellina, Sicily; a residential blockof 65 flats (1983) in Naples; and housing(1983) for archaeological excavations atTestaccio, Rome, all executed in collaborationwith Purini. She also designed theLaura ThermesFranco Purini18MARCH 2009

EventsAN09 at Malta Property ExpoAN09 at the Chamber of Commercechapel of S Antonio, Poggioreale, Sicily,and was professor of architectural compositionat the Universita’ La Sapienza, Rome,from 1971, and a contributing editor toContraspazio (1974-80).Following the success of this first Night,a second was held on the 14 March atthe Chamber of Commerce in Valletta.This time, the guest speaker was EduardoLangagne Ortega, an architect with a doctoratein architecture by the University ofMexico, and 35 years of professional practicein architecture and urban planning allover Mexico, in the USA, Guatemala andChile. His lecture, which saw a packed hallof enthusiastic participants, was accompaniedby an exhibition entitled “Identity inDiversity”, portraying the effort of countrieslike Mexico in opposing globalisationthrough the safeguarding of culturalidentity. The exhibition included 46 panelsshowing different interpretations of cultureby 23 architects.The next confirmed lecture for this yearwill be held in May. This time round theKamra is pleased to be able to host HansIbelings, architectural historian and editor/publisher of A10 new European architecture,a bimonthly pan-European magazine.Ibelings studied Art History and Archaeologyat the University of Amsterdam and workedas curator of the Netherlands ArchitectureInstitute in Rotterdam between 1989 and2000. He has also been the editor of theYearbook Architecture in the Netherlandsand architectural critic of De Volkskrant, aDutch daily newspaper. His publicationsinclude “Supermodernism: Architecture inthe Age of Globalisation”, “The ArtificialLandscape: Contemporary Architecture,Urban Design and Landscape Architecturein the Netherlands”, and “UnmodernArchitecture: Contemporary Traditionalismin the Netherlands”. This promises to beanother engaging event that the Kamralooks forward to presenting to its members,students and the general public. The topicwill be “Reviewing European architecture”and will be both about reviewing contemporaryarchitecture, in the common senseof the word, as architectural critics usuallydo, and about developing a different viewon European architecture and its history.Architecture Nights are being sponsoredby AirMalta and HSBC, whom we thank fortheir continued support.The Kamra has also embarked on a seriesof CPD events. Two have already beenheld and addressed issues of professionalconduct. The two seminars were held inFebruary and March and were aimed atuniversity students and fresh graduates inpreparation for their work within the profession.Both seminars were well attendedand it is the Kamra’s intention to continueto provide this type of event on an annualbasis.The third CPD event for 2009 will be aimedat professionals in practice as well as students,and will centre on the issues ofLaboratorios Promeco. Architect GuillermoAlmazan Cueto. One of the buildings featuredin Identidad en la Diversidad at the Chamber ofCommerce in VallettaP r o f e s s i o n a lLiability andIndemnity. Aswe all know,the obligationto obtain andmaintain a PIIpolicy for allpracticing peritiis entrenchedHans Ibelingsin the ‘PeritiAct’, though not yet enabled. The Kamrahas already made its position clear with therelevant Authorities regarding the needto enact this clause. In parallel it has beenseeking to develop an optimal solution forthe profession and also wishes to engage intalks with Government to ensure that otheroperators in the industry are also encouragedto obtain cover. One of the primaryissues would be the guarantee that such PIIcover is available to all warranted periti. TheKamra is also investigating the possibilityof regulating the adherence of periti to theeventual requirements of the Legal Noticethat will be enacted according to an establishedset of criteria, such as the fixing of aminimum level of cover. In 2007, the Kamraheld talks with various insurance providersand granted a Preferred Partner Statusto Elmo Insurance Brokers Ltd. and PaulNapier Ltd. On the 21 April 2009, speakersfrom these entities will discuss ProfessionalIndemnity and other insurance productsrelated to the construction industry. Withthe growing responsibilities and increasedcomplexities of work undertaken by Periti,this is certainly an event not to be missed.MARCH 200919

TombazisQualifications DirectiveQualifications DirectiveNotification of Bachelor of Engineering and Architecture (Honours), University of MaltaFor a number of years, the Kamra tal-Peritihad been active on the Advisory Committeeon Education and Training in Architecture(ACETA) through its representatives, and wasalso following the requirements of the newQualifications Directive through its involvementin fora such as the Architects’ Councilof Europe (ACE). Following are extracts froma paper presented by the Kamra’s representativePerit David Pace, together witha description of the notification procedureundertaken by Malta in order to ensurethe EU-wide recognition of the local qualificationsin Architecture and Engineeringobtained through the University of Malta.The Qualifications Directiveand the notification process“As part of Malta’s accession process, thecourse of Architecture and Civil Engineeringrun by the Faculty at the University ofMalta, had been assessed and had beenfound compliant with Directive 85/384/EEC(also known as the Architects’ Directive).As a result the degrees in Architecture andEngineering conferred by the Universitybecame recognised academic qualificationsin terms of the Directive. Howeverthis recognition or ‘acquired right’ was nota permanent state of affairs, but was setto expire on the 20th October 2007, whenDirective 85/384/ EEC was to be replacedby Directive 2005/36/EC. It was thereforenecessary to re-notify the course contentto EU member states. This also held true forall the other states which had joined the EUwith Malta in 2004.It would be useful at this point, to explainin brief the procedures set out by bothDirectives with regards to scrutiny of notifieddiplomas. Under Directive 85/384/EEC,whenever a Member State notified theother Member States and the Commissionof a proposed new course leading toa diploma or other evidence of formalqualification, before this course was placedon the list of recognised qualifications interms of this Directive, a three-month graceperiod had to elapse, during which anymember state could raise doubts about theproposal’s conformity with the Directive. Incase of doubts being raised, the matter wasbrought before the Advisory Committeeon Education and Training in Architecture(ACETA), where it was debated and a recommendationdrawn up confirming orrejecting the doubts expressed. This recommendationwas then forwarded to theCommission. Only in case of rejection of thedoubts expressed (i.e. confirmation of conformitywith the Directive), was the coursethen included on the list of recognisedqualifications in terms of the Directive.Under Directive 2005/36/EC, followingnotification the course would be immediatelyplaced on the list of recognised qualificationswith the proviso that, at any time,doubts could be expressed by a memberstate, following which the matter would bebrought before the Expert Group in termsof this Directive, and, if these doubts wereto be confirmed, that qualification wouldbe withdrawn from the list.” (Perit DavidPace, Background Note to the Procedurefollowed by Malta in notifying the Coursecontent)Malta therefore had to choose whetherto notify in terms of the old or the newDirective. In order to notify under theold Directive, the local authorities hadto ensure that the process of notificationwas concluded by mid-July 2007 at thelatest. This would allow for the passageof the three-month grace period prior tothe expiry of the old Directive and itsreplacement with the new one on the 20thOctober 2007. After this time, notificationwould be governed by the procedures ofthe new Directive. Should the Bachelor ofEngineering and Architecture (Honours)offered by the University of Malta beaccepted as a recognised qualificationthrough this process, then there would notbe any need to renotify the course underthe new Directive, barring the implementationof any changes to the course content.On the initiative of the Kamra tal-Periti,discussions took place between April andJuly 2007 between Perit David Pace as representativeof the Kamra tal-Periti, togetherwith the Council of the Kamra itself, aswell as with Perit Ray Farrugia and PeritCarm Mifsud Borg from the Ministry ofResources and Infrastructure, and Perit JoeFalzon as Dean of the Faculty. It was finallydecided to notify the Course under the oldDirective. The necessary documents weredrawn up, forwarded to the PermanentRepresentative’s office and duly notifiedto other Member States on the 11th July2007.During the three-month grace period, noMember State raised doubts about Malta’snotification. In fact, the ACETA meetingscheduled for the 8th October 2007 didnot take place, and ACETA was wound upwith the expiry of the old Directive, sinceno doubts were in fact raised about any ofthe courses that had been notified underthe old Directive.It therefore came as quite a surprise whenthe Commission placed the Maltese qualificationson the agenda for a meeting ofthe Qualifications Coordinators’ Group thatwas to be held on the 26 January 2009, aswas the fact that the course had not yetbeen published under the list of recognisedqualifications. It was evident that ifthe matter was not clarified, then therecould possibly be consequences whichwould jeopardise the recognition of thedegree from the University of Malta inother EU Member States.Again the Kamra tal-Periti was active inalerting the relevant authorities, and meetingsand discussions were again calledon a local level involving among othersMinister George Pullicino, Minister DoloresCristina, Perit David Pace, again acting asthe Kamra’s representative together withPeriti Vincent Cassar and Keith Cole, DrAlex Torpiano who had since taken over asDean of the Faculty, Perit John Ebejer fromthe Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs,Dr James Calleja on behalf of the MaltaQualifications Council, and Mr RichardCachia Caruana. It was imperative thatMalta’s stand be clear and unequivocal inthis regard.It was immediately agreed that this mattershould not have been brought up at thislate stage by the Commission, as notificationhad been made in terms of theold Directive, and that the only remainingformality to be completed was forthe Commission to publish the Course asa recognised one. Furthermore, in termsof Directive 2005/36/EC, meetings of theExperts Group have already been held,during which various Courses that hadbeen notified after the 15th July 2007have been assessed. Malta’s notified coursewas never on the agenda, when logicallyit would have been one of the first if itwas ever considered to fall under the newDirective’s provisions.It was also ascertained that there had notbeen any communication to the Malteseauthorities that another Member Statehad expressed doubts on Malta’s notification.In fact it would be a mistake for theCommission to bring Malta’s notificationto the Experts’ Group once no such doubtshave been raised. It was therefore agreedthat at the Coordinators’ Group meetingin January, Malta should adopt a positionof resistance to any attempts by theCommission to bring up the matter at thismoment in time.Dr James Calleja and Perit David Pace in factattended the Qualifications Coordinators’meeting in Brussels on the 26 January2009, where Malta’s opposition to the reopeningof the notification procedureswas registered. As a result of their effortsand intervention, the Commission did notproceed further with its point. In fact, it hasbeen brought to the Kamra’s attention thatthe Course will be published in the list ofrecognised Courses this coming June.This will finally bring this saga to a close. Itis certainly due to the tireless efforts of thepeople mentioned above, and in particularto those of Perit David Pace, that studentsat the Faculty can rest assured that theirqualifications will in fact be recognised,thus opening up diverse and excitingopportunities for further studies and workwithin the European Union and beyond.20 MARCH 2009

Today’s creation, tomorrow’s heritageby Perit Edward SaidFriday, 23rd January 2009was a historic day. Historicat least for those who havethe local architectural sceneat heart. That evening themuch awaited exhibitionon Maltese Modernist architecture waslaunched. The Kamra tal-Periti and Din l-ArtĦelwa, Malta’s oldest heritage trust, cametogether to raise awareness about a subjectthat unfortunately makes so many in theMaltese public grimace or at best expressindifference. Through superb photography,various buildings around the islands werecaptured in a series of evocative imagesand immortalised in an unmatched volumediscussing the several merits of contemporaryarchitecture in our country.This event has now officially opened a newchapter in Maltese architectural History.Whilst one must distinguish between qualityarchitecture and non-descript construction,there is also another factor that comesinto play. There are those architecturalcreations which in order to be appreciatedone must “know the socio-economichistory of our country in those times inorder to seek to understand their particularexpression.”(1) These significant wordswere spoken by Prime Minister Gonzi atthe opening speech. “…architecture,like other forms of art,is a reflection of society in thesocial, cultural, economic andpolitical contexts of that time”.“Architecture” he mused “isnever static; it is constantlychanging according to theneeds and aspirations of everysociety”. Dr. Gonzi is directlyreferring to that venerableterm: zeitgeist.Aesthetics does not necessarilycome into play here. Thegunposts on St. Elmo and thekilometres of air-raid sheltersbeneath our feet are historicallysignificant not so muchfor their aesthetic appealbut more for the historicalrole they played during thewar. Then one wonders, donot the mass post-war housing/reconstruction schemesin the Grand Harbour area and later onthe sprawling industrial estates with theinfamous fabbriki ta’ l-elf have the samesocio-economic significance? Do not theboldly-designed hotels erected in the 60sas part of Malta’s drive to attract tourism orAdvert appearing in a Malta guide book in the 1960sthe villas built in the same period to be soldto foreign investors deserve recognition?One must also not fail to mention the complexesof military structures built by theBritish forces, many of which were amongstthe last to be built before Independence.Some of these are remarkableexamples of modernist architecturaldesign. Buildingssuch as the monumental HMSFalcon (Ħal-Far) control towerand the slender concreted 60sextension to Fort Madliena)merit mention.Acknowledging the importanceof these structures isone thing, preserving themis another. One cannot automaticallycall for the instantconservation of everything,however, quoting Dr. PetraBianchi “Each age and generationadds its own layer to theurban fabric. The best items ofeach period should be recognised,identified and documented.They reflect the taste, lifestyle,aspirations, interests andachievements of the communityat the time.”(2) In Londonit is said, a number of tower blocks foundin the suburbs (not unlike Del-Boy’s NelsonMandela House) have already been earmarkedfor listing. The non-descript blocksforming some of Sliema’s 80s and early 90sdevelopments are indeed a reflection oftheir times. Whether they merit conservationor simply documentation is arguable.But don’t our grandchildren have a rightto at least know what the spirit of thosedecades was?One might even venture further and suggestsomething which is happening incountries like the UK. Certain buildingsbeing built this very day that have beendesigned with special architectural expressionare being immediately recognised asworthy of conservation. Many buildingsin Malta leap to mind. Somebody oncesaid that modern architecture is the mosthated and the most endangered. This isvery true in Malta. MEPA must extendurban conservation areas in places likeThe Gardens, Santa Lucia, San Gwann andTal-Virtu’. There are some buildings, somefeaturing in the book, which must be preservedin toto, right down to the slendersteel apertures, after all what would theBauhaus building at Weimar be withoutits original sleek windows? Yes, just asvillage cores must have their gallarija ta’l-injam and timber persjani then the 1960sand 70s areas must have their Crittle Hopedoors and windows, their colour schemes,lamps, etc preserved.My appeal to the Prime Minister is toextend his poignant words to MEPA andensure that together with entities like theKamra tal-Periti and Din l-Art Ħelwa, Malta’smodern architectural legacies are recognised,evaluated, documented and if necessarypreserved, as soon as possible. Let usbe very wary of Le Corbusier’s ominousobservation:“Our own epoch is determining, day by day,its own style. Our eyes, unhappily, are unableyet to discern it.”References:(1) https://opm.gov.mt/arti_moderna?l=2(2) Bianchi, P., Appreciating MalteseModern Architecture, in Din L-ArtĦelwa news letter No.14 (February2009), p.5HeritageMARCH 200921

eviewsModernist Malta. The Architectural LegacyAlberto Miceli-Farrugia and Petra Bianchi (Editors), Modernist Malta.The Architectural Legacy, Malta, Kamra tal-Periti, ISBN 978-99932-0-692-7, Hbk, 161 pages.Reviewed by Annemarie MayoModernist architecture began to makeits mark in Malta and Gozo late in thehistorical calendar, many decades afterLe Corbusier’s works provided a newarchitectural vision. This new vision iswidely believed to have ushered inthe modernist movement on a worldstage.The Church’s overwhelming presencein the Maltese scene has served tocreate tensions among architects whosought to balance their quest for a newarchitectural language with the needto secure commissions. Vigorelli andRaniolo’s chapel at the Erwieh cemeteryin Tarxien, England’s much celebratedManikata Church, Pacini’s St ThereseSanctuary at B’Kara, Zammit’s Pacevillechapel and Micallef and Azzopardi’sFgura Parish Church stand out. It isargued that Vatican Council II providedthe impetus for the design and creationof such modernist church buildingsalthough conservative tastes prevailedin Maltese Catholic circles and amongmany sections of the population. Theinitial strong negative reaction by theparishioners of Manikata to RichardEngland’s girna-inspiredchurch is difficult to dismiss.The work of JosephHuntingford stands outas far as Gozitan schoolsare concerned, with therecently adulterated QalaSchool being regarded asa landmark with respectto modernist architecture.Renato Laferla, whodesigned important schools,the actual constructions ofwhich were never carriedout according to his specifications,is credited withsome of the best specimensof modernist school architectureon the main islandin the archipelago. Even here, some ofthese works came in for some harshcriticism from a conservative publicstill attracted to a Baroque past andwith a penchant for a decorative typeof architecture. In this respect, theauthors, and particularly Petra Bianchi,intersperse their references to documentsand excerpts from interviewswith a selection of letters to the Editorand responses provided by importantexponents of modernist architecture.They do this to shed light on the typesof polemic that arose at the time.And yet Malta was blessed, even inearlier periods in the 20th century,with some spectacular buildings.These would include the Farsonsplant designed by a member of theFarrugia family that owned the brewery.Quite impressive was the SliemaBarclays Bank branch designed byEdwin England Sant Fournier. Alas,this and other examples of modernistarchitecture were subsequently pulleddown. Others such as Carmelo Falzon’sRediffusion House, Guardamangia,were saved from suffering the samefate by the Kamra tal-Periti’s recent andtimely intervention.Apart from the two well researched andgrounded essays, the book contains amarvellous collection of black and whitephotos by a host of very accomplishedphotographers. They focus on differentdetails of important modernist architecturewith an excellent interplay of lightand shade. The team consists of: PatrickFenech, Matthew Mirabelli, Sergio Muscat,Alexandra Pace and Darren Zammit Lupi.These marvellous representations, togetherwith the accessibility of the languageCOMPETITIONName this buildingwhich was destroyedduring the SecondWorld War.The winner of this competitionwins a copy of the book reviewedabove: “Modernist Malta - TheArchitectural Legacy”.Send your entries to: The Editor,The Architect Competition,Kamra tal-Periti, The ProfessionalCentre, Sliema Road, Gzira, or byemail on thearchitect@ktpmalta.com. The first correct entry drawnon the 1 May 2009 will win.Only residents of the MalteseIslands are eligible to participate.Members of the Editorial Boardand their families are not eligibleto participate.The neighbourhood featured inlast issue’s competition was thatknown as the Manderaggio inValletta. The winner is Ms KylieBorg Marks.in which the two essays and the introductionby Alberto Miceli-Farrugia are written,should render this book very appealing toa potentially wide readership. The book’sreadership would include all those personssearching for beauty amid the morassof concrete structures that, alas, mar muchof the Maltese architectural scene today.This publication is available from mostleading bookshops or directly from theKamra tal-Periti. For further informationcontact thearchitect@ktpmalta.com.books22MARCH 2009

Now to 24 May 2009; Barbican Art Gallery, London, UKLe Corbusier: The Artof ArchitectureExplore the extraordinary career andenduring legacy of Le Corbusier (1887-1965), iconic architect, designer,writer and artist in the first major exhibition of hislife and work seen in Britain for over 20 years.www.architecture.comNow to 18 April 2009;CUBE, Manchester, UKThe BritishLandscapeAn exhibition of largeformat black andwhite photographs,taken between1979 and 2005showing the vast, complex and majestic sceneryof industrial and post industrial Britain.www.cube.org.ukNow to 24 April 2009;V&M Museum, London, UKLibraries of Light:PhotographicBooks from theV&A CollectionPhotographic booksare almost as old asphotography itself.Indeed, one of theinventors of photography,William Henry FoxTalbot, was also authorof one of the veryfirst books to includephotographs, ThePencil of Nature (1844).The Museum hasbeen collecting photographic books since 1852.The images below represent a small selection fromthe V&A’s holdings. Many more may be seen andhandled on request in both the National Art Libraryand the Prints and Drawings Study Room.www.vam.ac.ukNow to 03 May 2009; The Lighthouse, Glasgow, ScotlandGlasgow 1999 Design Medal 2008An opportunity to see work by a new generation ofdesign talent, the annual Glasgow 1999 Design Medalis a platform for designers studying at Glasgow’sHigher and Further Education institutions.www.thelighthouse.co.ukNow to 31 May 2009;The ArchitectureCentre, Bristol, UKSpring Green2009: Urban GreenNetworksThis year’s SpringGreen season at TheArchitecture Centrecelebrates urban greenspaces and encouragesdebate about their future. Through a season of exhibitionsand events we highlight the importance of thenetwork of spaces that forms the green infrastructureto urban environments and the key role it plays inshaping sustainable neighbourhoods. The programmeaddresses topics such as urban food production,biodiversity in the built form and new landscape design.www.architecturecentre.co.ukNow to 31 May 2009; Museum of Finnish Architecture, FinlandSense ofArchitectureNew buildings arepresented in a new way in this survey of contemporaryarchitecture originated in the Austrian state Styria.The presentation consists of film narratives shot byone person. Architecture is portrayed in everydaysituations, sounds included. The display is structuredaround six themes: Cultures of Living, Public Structures,Architecture and Science, Interventions, Urban Ruralism,Sculptural Tendencies and Productive Ambiguities.www.mfa.fiNow to 1 June 2009; DesignMuseum, Gent, BelgiumCool Dozen +This exhibition presentsthe evolution of Finnishdesign by way of 13chairs and 13 textileobjects. The evolutioncomprises work by designicons as well as youngdesigners. Among the“classic” designs are chairs by Alvor Aalto, YrjöKukkapuro, Antti Nurmesniemi and Ilmari Tapiovaara.www.design.museum.gent.be4 April – 19 July 2009; V&AMuseum, London, UKBaroque 1620-1800:Style in the Ageof MagnificenceThe magnificence andsplendour of Baroque,one of the most opulentstyles of the 17th and18th centuries, will be the subject of the V&A’s springexhibition. The exhibition will reflect the complexityand grandeur of the Baroque style, from the Romeof Borromini and Bernini to the magnificence of LouisXIV’s Versailles and the lavishness of Baroque theatreand performance. On display will be religious paintingsby Rubens and Tiepolo while silver furniture, portraits,sculpture, a regal bed and court tapestries will conjureup the rooms of a Baroque palace. The exhibition willbe the first to examine all the elements of the Baroquestyle and will show how, as European power spread,Baroque style reached other parts of the world, capturedin objects such as a gilded Mexican altarpiece.www.vam.ac.ukApril 2009 – July 2011;V&A Museum, London, UKAestheticism:Beauty in Art andDesign 1860-1900This will be the firstinternational exhibitionto explore the unconventionalcreativity ofthe British Aesthetic Movement (1860-1895). Featuringsuperb artworks from the traditional high art of painting,to fashionable trends in architecture, interior design,domestic furnishings, art photography and new modes ofdress, this exhibition traces Aestheticism’s evolution fromthe artistic concerns of a small circle of avant-gardeartists and authors to a broad cultural phenomenon.www.vam.ac.uk30 May – 23 August 2009; The NetherlandsBrazil Contemporary – Contemporary art,architecture, visual culture and designFour Rotterdam museums, Museum Boijmans VanBeuningen, the Netherlands Architecture Institute,the Netherlands Photo Museum and KunsthalRotterdam, are bringing the rich culture of Brazilto the city on the Maas. This exposition presentsevery facet of Brazilian culture in four exhibitions,a publication, and a programme of activities.www.nai.nlinternational eventsMARCH 200923

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