'Rediffusion House' decision breaks mistaken trend - architects

The Kamra tal-Periti (Chamber of Architects) has welcomed the government’s decision to withdraw the application for demolition of what was formerly known as Rediffusion House in Guardamangia.

This, the chamber said, was a refreshing decision that had broken the trend adopted by MEPA that the conservation of much older buildings, “irrespective of their historical or architectural merit,” tended to take precedence over the preservation of contemporary buildings some of which were iconic examples of excellence in local architecture.

“Undeniably, in the fast developing societies of today, buildings need not be older than a century to deserve preservation. Indeed, the reasons why we preserve our built heritage depends on more important criteria, certainly not the gravely misguided notions of nostalgia,” the chamber said.