After a three-week viewing period at the Ministry for Gozo, the submissions for the design contest for enhancing the visitor experience in the Ġgantija Heritage Park World Heritage Site will be exhibited in Valletta.
The design contest included proposals for: an interpretation centre (and "exit" building) incorporating all amenities and interpretation facilities, a welcoming orientation point to the cultural resources in Xagħra, a walkway to connect the interpretation centre to the temple and landscaping works.
The design contest was won by architect Robert Sant, who was selected from among 12 submissions. Alex Torpiano Martin Xuereb were awarded an honourable mention by the jury.
In the contest's memorandum, Heritage Malta declared that the winning "proposal fell within the pre-set parameters as specified by the functional brief, complying with Heritage Malta's requirements while providing a considerable area of the site for the enjoyment of the community. The proposed construction methodology will also have minimum physical impact on the site, avoiding the necessity of any rock cutting, making the proposed intervention reversible.
"Though the design is an architectural statement in its own right... it respects the sensitive archaeological and rural setting. It presents a solution which respects the context while providing a challenging counterpoint in the transition from the urban area to the Ġgantija Temple complex.
"The scheme also respects the actual temple site and also the urban context by the setting back of the Interpretation Centre from the street and allowing for space where activities can interact with the Ġgantija Heritage Park, thus integrating both realities."
Concluding, Heritage Malta felt that the winning entry "showed an understanding of the site and its problems, and seeks to enhance the inherent values of the site, offering one holistic experience to the visitors throughout the Ġgantija Heritage Park".
The total budget for the Ġgantija Heritage Park ranges around €2.5 million which also includes a study regarding the temple structure stability.
This project forms part of the €9.2 million Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project, 85 per cent of which is co-financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project includes works on two other sites, namely the Tarxien Temples, and St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat.
The exhibition will be exhibited at Heritage Malta's head office in Merchants Street, Valletta from Monday until February 21.
More information about the design contest and other aspects of the Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project can be viewed on: www.heritagemalta.org/erdf032.