Leading Maltese architects have welcomed the proposed designs for the new entrance to Valletta, saying the plans respect the capital's unique spirit and offer clever solutions to the use of the space.

"I think it's an absolute masterpiece, a wonderful project. It shows a respect for the memory of Valletta and its history," architect Richard England said, adding that it was a privilege to have world-renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano design the capital.

He believes Mr Piano's proposals are similar in quality to Francesco Laparelli's designs for Valletta in the 1500s.

"Although the project is not yet fully developed, it promises to be wonderful," Prof. England said.

In a similar tone, architect Conrad Thake described the designs, unveiled on Saturday evening, as "quite impressive".

Mr Piano, 71, returned after his original proposal for City Gate 20 years ago were rejected follow-ing huge controversy mostly surrounding the Royal Opera House.

"The (new) plans are very positive. They show a sensitivity towards the city, an understanding of Malta's history and a respect towards our collective memory and towards the use of local materials," Dr Thake said.

He pointed in particular to the use of Maltese stone to build the Parliament, which will be raised on stilts in Freedom Square to allow people to walk through a piazza.

The president of the Chamber of Architects, Vince Cassar, said Mr Piano had come up with "an acceptable proposal" which now had to enter the phase of more detailed design.

Mr Cassar said the space created would appeal to locals even though there was still public uncertainty about the plans for the Royal Opera House ruins which will be converted into an open-air theatre. However, the proposals were not final, he pointed out.

Many people want the theatre to be rebuilt as it was before it was bombed 60 years ago and others object to it being open-air as this would limit its functionality. Mr Piano himself has dismissed the idea of building a replica of the original because it would be a "fake".

"I think, all in all, Mr Piano found a good solution. The fact is that he respected the ruins by leaving them there and linked them with the modern by having an open-air theatre.

"There is also the fact that, as the chamber has been saying, rebuilding the opera house as it was does not make sense and there is not enough space to build an opera house," said Mr Cassar. The Parliament building, he said, was "a good concept" because it was modern and made use of traditional stone.

The narrowing of City Gate would allow for a dramatic introduction into Valletta where people who crossed the bridge would suddenly experience the new buildings, he added.

Agreeing with this, Alex Torpiano, also an architect by profession, said Mr Piano's designs were "very successful" and he looked forward to seeing them implemented.

"The solution he adopted is very clever because he managed to enclose a space that was too loose but, at the same time, the ground floor in the square remained open," he said.

"The point is that this was not an easy space to design and there were lots of ideas. But it's time to move on and start the project, otherwise we will remain stuck in discussion stage," Prof. Torpiano said as he echoed a concern felt by the other architects.

"Let's just hope we finally get it done and get it done on time," Prof. England said.

The project was planned to be completed by 2018 when Malta takes on the role of European Cultural Capital, the Nationalist Party noted yesterday. It added that the project would stimulate the economy and attract tourism to Valletta, which has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Conservation group Din l-Art Ħelwa also hailed Mr Piano's plans for their sensitivity. "With the entrance to Valletta still in a deplorable state and after more than 60 years of discussion, it is time to move forward and for the process of enhancing these key spaces within our World Heritage City to begin without delay," the organisation said. »

Download a description of the plans from http://timesofmalta.com/info/20090629-renzo-piano-designs.pdf .