Renzo Piano in Malta on Sunday
Architect Renzo Piano, who has been commissioned by the government to design the City Gate and Opera House project, will be in Malta on a short visit on Sunday.
The purpose of his visit is to enable him to study the site in order to prepare a concept and designs, the government said.
During his visit, Mr Piano will be accompanied by architects Bernard Plattner and Antonio Belvedere, who work in his studio.
He will meet Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt and other government officials involved in the project.
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Ian Waugh
Jan 23rd 2009, 08:44
.... so 3,160 Facebook Group members ('No to House of Parliament instead of Opera House') ... 1000's in Malta and across Europe visiting www.maltoperahouse.com .... the next move .... is?
Time for Maltese theatre, creative, media and performing 'famous' to come out of the shadows and express support!
Come on Malta save this bomb site for performing arts ... stop the Opera House site turning to Parliament and bring theatre back as a robust, successful, famous Maltese 'national theatre' to be proud of.
adrian galea
Jan 22nd 2009, 23:32
IGalea: you may well want to note the Chamber of Architects' statement in w hich they supported tis commission.
As to the critics, it really makes me wonder what they are criticising when nobody has as yet seen anything.
A bit of patience..then criticise if necessary...its far too early to start doing so and only risk losing your credibility
Mark Portelli
Jan 22nd 2009, 22:49
@Johnny Tanti
You`re right for my mistake. Silence? well it maybe golden but its for those who dont have ideas.
josef sammut
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:28
Can someone please explain to Mr.Piano that this is the site of an opera house, and nothing else?! Anything else should be planed anywhere else!
martha calleja
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:05
can any one ask piano to teach us how to save our rain water and to teach us how to bld new roads.
im sure ,since he is an italian ,his ancestors (ROMANS) 2000 years ago built better roads then we have today . or at least teach us how the romans built them. they are STILL far better
roads than we have today!
lgalea
Jan 22nd 2009, 19:57
Why continue to denigrate local architects by not holding a competition between them?
Why does the government always have to be so lackey and commission foreigners when we have Maltese architects?
Why pay millions to a foreign architect when they could be paid to a Maltese architect or a group of architects?
Is there not a law or regulation where tenders above a certain sum have to be put to public tender?
Then why does Renzo Piano get a DIRECT ORDER with all those millions from OUR taxes?
Is this to scratch someone's back?
If no Maltese architects submit satisfactory plan, why not issue an international call for the submission of plans?
Why? Why? Why?
Joseph Ellis
Jan 22nd 2009, 19:27
It seems that it had to be the visit by Renzo Piano to ensure that the Royal Opera House ruins get a thorough clean-up with tonnes of debris being trucked out today.
Johnny Tanti
Jan 22nd 2009, 19:26
"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is." - Winston Churchill
@ Charles Sammut
the only monstrosity i see are statements such as those by people like you who miss the wood for the trees! Have you even researched a bit about this guy? Do you know what is his legacy to the world?
This is more so, considering the simple fact that we still haven't got a clue what he has in mind!!!
@ Mark Portelli
apart from the fact the you should get some lessons in English language (especially the past tense and the use of the definite article) - Some people should know when to just shut up and understand that silence is golden!!!
michael fenech
Jan 22nd 2009, 18:37
@Charles Sammut
Why Renzo Piano? He might be a great architect but I cannot imagine any of his designs harmonising with Valletta.
I agree with you 100%, but lets just see what kind of design he's coming up with.
S Cassar
Jan 22nd 2009, 18:24
Below are but few of the many projects by Renzo Piano:
Centre for Art and Culture, George Pompidou , Paris , France
Menil Collection, a private Museum in Houston, Texas USA
Osaka Airport, Japan
It is indeed an honour to have one of the biggest names in the architectural field designing one of the biggest projects ever in Malta !
But the doom and gloom mentality of some in Malta can't appreciate this of course! Pity!
Good choice by the Government! Well done
g.c.Forte
Jan 22nd 2009, 18:11
If this is serious and not to divert the public from other important issues, it is very important that the government and the opposition will agree to go on a REFERENDUM on this matter. We have to understand that the public is split,and I am sure that although the city gate and the opera house belongs to all Maltese, the City citizen should have a good say. I still remember going out from that gate in the sixties every day. It was a BIG mistake to change that gate;;and please before I leave this earth......make it as it was, and arrange the mistake that was made by the same political party who is in government now. Please call a referendum, so it will be not on your conscience. In my humble opinion and with all the respect... our children to come..will be more proud of us if this great project will bare the name of a Maltese architect / s. and not a foreigner.
monica muscat
Jan 22nd 2009, 17:53
God Help Mr. Piano! It is a tall order turning out something that pleases everyone!
Charles Sammut
Jan 22nd 2009, 17:00
Why Renzo Piano? He might be a great architect but I cannot imagine any of his designs harmonising with Valletta.
His buildings might fit in Houston or Atlanta, Osaka or Dallas but never Valletta. Piano is a member of the so called "High-Tech" movement, and established technology as a starting point for his designs. Hardly what is desirable or indeed required in a sixteenth century walled city.
But it seems that someone is bent on having us pay for some monstrosity which will be resented by most for decades to come and eventually bulldozed into oblivion.