Stop the 'uglification' of Malta

Architects were urged to halt the "uglification" of Malta by persuading their clients to be more sensitive to their surroundings and less greedy.

This heartfelt appeal was made yesterday by Martin Scicluna, chairman of the panel of judges of the first Din l-Art Helwa Award for Architectural Heritage.

The award went to David Drago of Architecture Project for his restoration, preservation, conservation and refurbishment of the Valletta Waterfront at Pinto Wharf.

Alberto Miceli-Farrugia, also of Architecture Project, was the winner of a diploma for his restoration and conservation of Casa Perellos, a private residence in Zejtun.

President Emeritus Guido de Marco presented the awards to the winners during a ceremony at Torri Mamo, the 17th century fortified home in the limits of Marsascala.

Mr Scicluna said the award was established primarily to encourage better architecture, which reflected good design in keeping with the island's cultural heritage.

"What we were looking for was anything that would stand out as rolling back the tide of uglification, which has afflicted so much of our construction development in the last few decades," he told those present.

Moreover, the panel of judges was looking for something that sent a clear message that old buildings can be restored successfully to their former glory in a modern context, and that good contemporary architecture in its proper setting had a vital role to play.

Though only four entries were received, the judges were delighted at the standard, which was of "a most meritorious level".

Mr Scicluna said the judges were unanimous in their decision to give the award to Mr Drago because the ambitious restoration of the Valletta Waterfront had made a major contribution to the wholesale regeneration of the area. It stood out as an excellent example of what can, and should, be achieved elsewhere.

"As an aside, one only has to compare the sympathetic restoration and preservation of this project with the dreadful concrete and glass building, which has been built alongside Fort St Angelo, just on the opposite side of the Pinto Wharf stores, to appreciate the excellent example which has been set by the Valletta Waterfront project," he said.

The judges felt this project successfully married the aesthetic aspects and historical sensitivity and context of the area, with the functionality needed to act as a cruise liner terminal and commercial and cultural centre.

Mr Miceli-Farrugia was also rewarded for demonstrating how an old, virtually derelict building could be successfully meshed in with its surroundings with an extension in modern, contemporary design.

"This difficult restoration and intervention was carried out to very high standards, with respect to the original structure of the 18th century house," Mr Scicluna said, while encouraging more architects to enter next year's award.

Professor de Marco said Malta was sometimes being let down by recent architecture, which was a pity when considering the rich architectural heritage Malta had acquired over the centuries.

"Architects bear a great responsibility to ensure the conservation of our cultural treasures," he said. "The Valletta Waterfront is a project we should all be proud of.

"It is an example of how we can give a future to our past, while making it functional and beautiful. An ugly thing is something one suffers forever."