Waylon Johnston
A lighter shade of pink
Before and after
The garish colour of a façade in Rabat has been toned down to a lighter shade after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority slapped an enforcement notice on the owners.
The action was taken after an article appeared in this newspaper pointing out that the colour of the Saqqajja Snack Bar jarred with the surrounding buildings, especially the elegant Casino Notabile. But instead of using a completely new, more complementary colour, the eyesore has merely been turned lighter pink. Rabat and Mdina are considered an urban conservation area by Mepa and the property which the snack bar forms part of is a Schedule Two protected building, which means the colour of the façade is also regulated. When contacted a spokesman for Mepa said: "It must be noted that within a couple of weeks with our weather conditions this will keep fading away".
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Updated: Shot migrant in critical...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
CABS drone shot down
Updated: Labour would give...
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
Second group of migrants arrives
6 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
c.caruana
Aug 15th 2008, 18:38
One question why did the owners leave the balcony green? It clashes somewhat with the pink! if it's not part of the snack bar he should have come to some arrangement with the balcony's owner and persuaded him to change the colour!!
Julie Peace
Aug 15th 2008, 14:32
I actually think it looks quite nice. There are certainly worse eyesores in Malta. But what do I know.....I am just "a 'simple' tourist/foreigner!.................."
Mark Casha
Aug 15th 2008, 11:48
Less garish, still horrible.
So instead of going for the most appropriate solution we settle for something which is less bad. The spokesman for MEPA should know better than to release such statements.
I was wondering - what does the enforcement notice say? is it a generic 'please change the colour' or is it a more specific 'please change colours to pantone xxxx' (or some other standard like CMYK values). Does MEPA have a list of specifically approved colours that are appropriate for buildings? There is an infinite ammount of variations of greens, blues, yellows and the dreaded terracotta (read all shades of dreadful pinks).
Uniformity in architecture and colour within a street or village is what gives the place an aesthetic sense of tranquility. This was easy when the choice of paint was limited. Today we can choose from thousands of colours and shades, and unfortunately without any form of regulation we leave the choice to the uninformed. Local councils should take a more pro-active role in this matter by supplying approved colour swatches to homeowners after consultation with people who understand and know colours such as graphic designers.
Christopher Agius Ferrante
Aug 15th 2008, 11:12
What is also interesting is the fact that a "Schedule Two protected building" is so protected that it is allowed to have those really attractive beer, Vodafone and Kinne signs attached to its facade, along with the air conditioning unit (Although my favourite has to be the kinnie cup).
Obviously being a protected building does not count for a whole lot.
J.M. Chapelle
Aug 15th 2008, 10:08
Maybe its to attract business? to catch the eye of the stereotypical 'simple' tourist/foreigner?
c.caruana
Aug 15th 2008, 09:13
A little touch of yellow mixed in would have given the colour a hue closer to Maltese limestone. But some people can't even spell aesthetics.