Monday, 19th October 2009

Ħondoq through the eyes of students

Fiona Galea Debono

The future of Gozo’s Ħondoq ir-Rummien may still be in the balance but if it were up to a bunch of architecture students, it would be turned into an innovative nature park, complete with a submerged kiosk, an imaginative use of the quarries – and no yacht marinas.

The merging of water, heritage and nature was the driving force behind the design of three fourth-year students, the recipients of the Julian Manduca Award for the Sustainable Development of Rural Areas.

They have made it a point not to build over existing resources but to use the quarries, creating a spiral Guggenheim-style ramp in one, ensconced in a perforated nest on which vegetation can grow abundantly.

The award is the initiative of environment NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar in synergy with the university and the Qala local council. FAA and the University chose the setting, in this case Ħondoq ir-Rummien, and architecture students submitted their proposals for the site – which is subject to a real development application for a yacht marina strongly opposed by environment groups.

The winners of the prize, Joseph Galea, Nicky Psaila Savona and Zack Xuereb Conti know the site inside out, having visited it regularly for a year. Their plans may not materialise but they offer an “eye opener for possibilities, even just taking elements of it”. They have steered clear of the “common way of making profit in Malta – through bulky construction”, considering the site from the environmental and social aspect, and how money can be generated from that. The area is geared up for a number of activities, including diving, boċċi and even folk entertainment near a rehabilitated fort.

The project is complete with dampers to counter the waves and underwater fins to collect energy from the currents to use on the site.

“These technologies exist and work – they are not just there for show,” the future architects explained.

A second award, the Tony Attard Award for Urban Conservation Area Projects, which focuses on conservation, has still to be awarded. Students have come up with some innovative ideas to clean up Valletta, including the shop fronts by the use of identical signage and matching canopies. The law courts have been redesigned; shopping arcades have been spruced up and are looking uniform; while the development of inaccessible dead roof space is considered “a revived resource”.

Old façades cover contemporary interiors and a fashion house plays with the lacy effect of wrought-iron grills, typical of the city, while retaining its architectural idiom.

An exhibition with the projects of the students for those for Ħondoq ir-Rummien and Valletta is being held at the Heritage Malta offices in Merchants Street, Valletta and will run till Wednesday.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Saturday, November 21, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

James A. Tyrrell (4 weeks, 1 day ago)

These students deserve a huge pat on the back for the work they have done. Up until now Mr. Gonzi has been saying, 'You don't like the marina idea but you don't have any viable alternatives'. Well sir you now have all the alternatives you can handle thanks to the work of these students. It is good to think that the future of design in Malta may well end up with young Maltese people like these rather than foreigners!

m c buttigieg (on 19/10/09)

To all those that have never been to Hondoq. Hondoq is an area where people go to swim, sun bathe, dive, snorkel, fish, party, walk, eat at the kiosk, have family barbeques,etc, etc... Hondoq is a very important place for Gozo. Should the planned concrete jungle and yacht marina go ahead where shall THE MANY MANY PEOPLE that visit Hondoq go? I saw the plans that the students made and the ideas they came up with are excellent and very very suitable for the Hondoq area. The plans they made will accomodate alot of people, not just the locals, but the Maltese, the tourists, the rich, the not so rich, the people that just like to relax, those that like adventure, the young, the old and many many more. The plans these students made are what Eco- gozo is all about.

lesley kreupl (on 19/10/09)

Well done to the students who participated and to Moviment Harsien Hondoq, Flimkien ghall-Ambjent Ahjar, and all others who were involved in this project. Hondoq ir-Rummien must definitely not be allowed to be buried under another concrete jungle. If the government is serious about the Eco-Gozo concept then Hondoq could be a prime example of how nature and the environment can be managed successfully.

Edward Camilleri (on 19/10/09)

This is more like eco-gozo! @M Saliba The quarry owners should pay for part of the project. As far as I know the permit for the quarry was issued on condition that when the quarry is exhausted, it will be returned to its original state. This bay is inundated with tourists and locals, do not turn it into another concrete jungle.

Sue Morris (on 19/10/09)

I agree with Angelo, the future of Hondoq Ir-Rummien should not be still in the balance. Well done to the architecture students, they deserve their prize. As they say their project is feasible - please make it or a similar scheme happen not another hotel and marina. There is already one marina at Mgarr which is a good facility and enough for the small island. Certainly, no more hotels are needed. Tourism is being affected by the worldwide economic problems with evidence plain from recent articles in The Times of some hotels in Malta scaling down for the winter. Another approach is needed, more creative than just building. Work on a National Park scheme for Gozo at Hondoq should have happened years ago. It is a wonderful spot for locals and tourists alike. The beach and facilities have been neglected. My family have been visiting the wonderful island of Gozo, staying in Qala for over 15 years and love its unspoilt beauty. Come on politicians do some good for the island and finance the project with the EU money. You will have a lot of support in creating a facility that will be enjoyed by gozitans and visitors alike.

Joseph MIfsud (on 19/10/09)

@M Saliba The Ministry for Gozo together with the Qala Local Council should try to cap 85% funding from the EU. This is a great opportunity to change this long time scar. This proposed design can be included as one of the Eco-Gozo projects.

M Saliba (on 19/10/09)

Great idea. But who is going to finance it? Money talks, money walks.

Angelo Xerri (on 19/10/09)

The future of Hondoq Ir-Rummien should not be still in the balance. The majority of the residents of Qala and Gozo want this area to be developed into a National Park for Gozo from some of the EU funds allocated for Gozo. The decision to scrap the Qala Creek Project should have been made seven years ago when Qala Council ran a Referendum that was that was aproved by the Government of the day, were the Residents rejected by voted of 85%. The Government Joke is giving Qala Council 10,000 Euros to fight this Project. Hondoq Ir-Rummien with its clean water attracts more people than any other beach in Gozo especially when the wind blows from the west, bar none, and is never advertised with other beaches , and one wonders why. This development if built is going to pollute the village of Qala , the sea shore around Qala, and will destroy this pristine bay for ever , including Comino. As for Ecological Island, Gozo must stay tranquil because at this building rate the last apartment will be build on the window in Dwejra.

Ħondoq through the eyes of students

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