Claudia Calleja
Renzo Piano plans hailed
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 .
16 Comments
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Joe Fenech
Jul 1st 2009, 00:17
Mr Piano should know better: in Japan their temples are practically all brand new because the constantly rebuild them. What they're interested in is the original plan.
So if a Mozart piece is played by different orchestras, is each performance a fake?
Joe Fenech
Jun 30th 2009, 01:16
What a bombastic title!
Where not here to hail anyone's work but trying to see what REALLY works.
The local architects mentioned in the article should know that Piano IS NOT a specialist in urban conversion, but a specialist in building design unlike people like Ricardo Bofill whose work I used as an example.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/the-new-city-gate-and-parliament
OK, Piano's project is fine but we did not get the best man for this job.
Those of you who think that only architects have a say in this are wrong: this is a about perception, the link between politics and architecture (the political impositions here are obvious), and about comparing this project to similar projects (even laymen read and travel and have seen loads of stuff!).
Galea. L
Jun 29th 2009, 23:57
Joseph V. Grech
Your hatred for anything made by Labour and for the working class knows no bounds.
Those flats were built where other flats had existed before as shown by a photo, if I remember correctly on The Times itself earlier last week, and they looked very similar to the present construction.
Alfred Farrugia
Jun 29th 2009, 22:34
Can our leading architects explain to us why 8,000 years ago builders in Malta erected dolmens in their structures, and now we are going to have a city without a “gate”, and a theatre without a ceiling and/or roof!
Are the compliments of our architects a diplomatic gesture towards a respectable member of their international fraternity? Were they able to propose anything that could have been equally acceptable? What kind of architects is our university producing?
Charles Sammut
Jun 29th 2009, 21:51
"Mr Piano himself has dismissed the idea of building a replica of the original because it would be a "fake"."
Would it indeed, Mr Piano? So should the church of St Francis in Assisi, Italy have been left in ruins after the terrible earthquake? Is it "fake" now taht it has been rebuilt? Should the frescoes on its ceiling have been replaced by some modern abstract painting?
The more I hear about this gentleman, the more I realise how he's weaving the invisible clothes for Emperor Gonzi.
R.Lewis
Jun 29th 2009, 20:20
just have a look at the poll's result on your right hand side of the article. Results speak for themselves. 41% dont like anything from the proposed plans for Valletta. Imagine a garden down below the ditch with all garbage coming down from 'Puturjal'
Joseph V. Grech
Jun 29th 2009, 18:57
@ Mr. Victor Laiviera - What I find extremely shameful about the apartments overlooking Freedom Square is precisely this: their DESPICABLY BAD LOCATION. It is in my honest opinion demeaning to have this huge complex of flats right at the entrance to our capital city. It is your prerogative to disagree with me of course. Rest assured however this objection has NOTHING to do with Freedom Square and even less so to the people who live in these apartments! As to your other insinuation - that I might possibly object to the people (for which read political group / administration) which built the apartments - rest assured that such unimportant trifles never even came to my mind! I think it was a big mistake to build a huge block of residential apartments cum commercial mayhem right on the doorstep of our grand capital city. That's all! If it will make you happy - I will, in much the same vein, also say that it was an equally BAD MISTAKE to build the ludicrously unappealing gate that presently adorns :) the entrance to Valletta. And I am again not interested in whoever was responsible for creating that depressing eyesore.
Joseph Vella
Jun 29th 2009, 17:17
I sincerely believe that this is simply a diversion, just to keep the people alienated from the real issues! (The Bread and Butter issues). Lets wait for the budget. And then we can discuss if whilst watching a show in the open-air theater we can get wet from rain in the winter or get wet from dew during a summer night at the ‘Cabrio Theater’, while our MPs enjoy a pleasant air-conditioned atmosphere just across the road!
F.Williams
Jun 29th 2009, 17:10
@Joseph V. Grech What about razing your own house?! Do realize that people live in those flats or what!? What is shameful in those flats eh?? uh??? I used to live in one of those flats and the only shameful acts was the numerous times we caught "individuals" cunningly entering the flats to relieve themselves!! Thats what shameful Mr.Grech!
Victor Laiviera
Jun 29th 2009, 16:45
Could Mr Joseph V. Grech kindly enlighten us as to what he finds so "shameful" in the apartments overlooking Freedom Square?
What does he object to? The flats? The people who live in them? Or - as seems most likely - who built them?
Joseph V. Grech
Jun 29th 2009, 15:48
The President of the Chamber of Architects states: ''There is not enough space to build an opera house (on the site of the bombed theatre)." That's very true. I personally believe that Renzo Piano's brief (presented to him most probably by the P.M.) - to come up with a Parliamentary building AS WELL AS a theatre' might have somehow constrained this great architect unduly.
The plans submitted appeal strongly but I believe the Master might possibly have improved still further on them had a new ''real'' theatre been included on the site earmarked for the two new Parliamentary Buildings.
Renzo Piano's plans for the ''open air'' theatre certainly look attractive especially his wish to incorporate the ruins of the old theatre.
But I think 1. it is hardly correct to construct in Valletta a '' miniature theatre'' that won't be useable during inclement weather and 2. it is demeaning to leave Valletta without a moder theatrical building!
Why not raze the shameful block of flats at the entrance to VALLETTA to the ground and build thereon the Parliament (or the Theatre)? In the end some more much required open space would be achieved. Why not offer the master that possibility?
Godwin Cassar
Jun 29th 2009, 14:24
I totally agree with Dr Thake's comment that the Piano plans "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."
Mary Bonello
Jun 29th 2009, 14:20
Ah at last the real Maltese architects have spoken and the verdict is positive as well!
Well done Piano!
Joe Cassar
Jun 29th 2009, 13:14
I think these "leading Maltese architects" should ponder on the tale of the Emperor's new clothes.
Will there be one of them who will have the courage to point out that the emperor is naked?
Randolph Peresso
Jun 29th 2009, 11:03
Lets hope this project will serve as a much needed stimulus and inspiration for Maltese Architects to come up with aesthatically pleasant and ingeniuos contemporary designs.
Godwin Saliba
Jun 29th 2009, 10:23
Thanks to Mr. Piano for his outstanding proposal: a project to give back life and grace to our City.
My only concern is that the projected deadline is over-confident: four years is just too short a time for such an ambitious programme. However, good luck to the prospective contractors...you have a huge feat to complete.