Modern visitor centre at Ħagar Qim temples will create an eyesore

The visitors' centre that has started to be built next to the Ħaġar Qim temples entrance will jar tremendously with the pristine environment of the area. First of all the design, with its big square windows, is too modern and therefore does not fit the rural aspect of the area.

Probably it is going to be too high when excavation could have gone deeper by at least one storey to avoid the building gaining too much prominence. Thirdly, I believe that although the colour chosen for the façade is a reddish-brown or earth colour, it is too strong and outstanding. The outer part of the façade, the part that hits the eye, should be built out of old or used Maltese stone without any paint or colour added to it except its own natural hues. If the building goes up according to what is being shown on the placard attached to the fence around the building site, it is going to create a big eyesore and depreciate the Neolithic aura that still exists in the area.

Something could still be done to mitigate the adverse effects the visitors' centre will create if completed according to the proposed design.