Friday, 27th June 2008
Raising Phoenix in Valletta
The exhibition of the Trevisan plans for the site of the former opera house was opened in Valletta by the Prime Minister on May 1. The shining model of how the site could look if it is redeveloped is exciting (see photo). For a moment, I could feel proud imagining a beautiful building arise finally from the ashes of World War II.
Much has been said over the years about what to do with the site and many have come forward with their plans and ideas for its redevelopment. The latest plan was conceptualised by the Italian architect Giovanni Trevisan. His plan sounds simple. It takes into consideration the past, utilising the existing ruins of the opera house, while setting up a hi-tech structure of glass and steel to accommodate the current needs whether it be for a cultural centre, a centre for dialogue, politics etc. It also remains flexible for the needs of tomorrow as, should there be a need to, the glass/steel structure can be clad in stone at a later date.
To me the plan is a remarkable one because it contains an element of respect. It respects the past (building on the foundation of Edward Barry's opera house), it supports the needs of today and remains open for the needs of the future. The architect's plan is not written in stone. It is flexible and this is the intrinsic beauty of the idea. Mr Trevisan was not commissioned to draw his plans for the site of the former opera house. He did it because he saw a prime site in our wonderful city waiting to come alive again. He was supported in his endeavour by the Caravaggio Foundation. As a member of the foundation, I am proud that his plans were publically exhibited through the month of May at St John's Cavalier in Valletta.
In the end, it is not so important whose plans get off the drawing board - may the best design get to see the light of day. I trust though, that the present government will be the driving force to raise Phoenix from the ashes. The Maltese public deserves no less.
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Comments
And its not to see the Opera House built up. Actually I'm quite happy with it as an open air theater for the summer months.
No my dream is to someday see our architects and contractors build ecologically like our wise fore-fathers used to. They did not have air conditioners at the time but their buildings are as cool as can be. The internal courtyard, thick walls, small windows and our Maltese stone contributed to this.
Now we build glass houses to copy northern architecture were the object is to actually trap the sun's heat. Smart. Them, not us.
Yes it is a very simple design without taking into consideration the dust, heat and its lack of aestheticity when confronted by the neighbouring buildings.
For me it looks similar to the boring new age structers that sprout around in major cities of Europe.
Valletta cannot afford to have these silly designs including the Piano one as it simply does not match the way that Valletta was built.
We like to look in wonders of what we see outside Malta and we try to insert that in our little 17 by 9 miles island. It won't work.
Back to the design. Has Mr.Trevisan taken into consideration of the dust that it would accumulate and how this can be cleaned?
Has he taken unto consideration the extra amount of heat that glass can give especially in hot days like today?
Or is it quite usual for the designer to over ride these most important natural factors?
Simply put, the Royal Opera House should be re built as how it was. End of the speculative
money making proposals.
Any bananas?