Changes to new Parliament House approved
The original impression of the new Parliament House.
Changes to the facade of the new Parliament House in Freedom Square were approved by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority this morning.
The main changes are to the facade where louvers carved out of large hard stone will now be used. The louvers will be made to look like eroded stone, shading the windows behind them.
The building will also be 45 centimetres higher and 25 centimetres lower.
Parliament House will consist of two blocks, of which one will be the Chamber of Parliament and the other will be offices. The blocks will be built on columns to give an impression of space at the City entrance. They will be separated to allow pedestrians to see St James Cavalier behind them.
Other changes include the relocation of an access staircase, previously located externally between the two buildings, to the internal part of the office block.
At all levels of the chamber block, the facade overlooking the office block will be extended in a straight line up to the facade overlooking Republic Street and the photovoltaic cells at roof level will be laid flat on the roof, as opposed to being laid at an angle in the previous approved design.
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Mr C Galea
May 4th 2011, 17:00
C Galea
Extra parking needed
move the Triton fountain, god bless the P N
Martin Hili
Jan 14th 2011, 21:38
The only change that makes real sense in our parliament is a change of government. Any other change is just superficially unimportant.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jan 14th 2011, 20:11
Manuel Cassar. Considering you seem one of the few that approve of this monstrosity I would appreciate your sincere comments once this has been completed. I gather you have no sense of visualizing a finished project, just to give you an idea of its "Grandness", the height will be well above that of the shanty town flats directly opposite and well above the height of St. James Cavalier. if you look carefully at the picture attached to this article you might also notice that the little specs in the street are in fact people that look like fleas in comparison. Considering the man in the street (the fleas) have no say as to how public money is being squandered, we can soon be proud to say that the entrance to our capital city will have a horrendous block of flats built under the direction of a hard headed MLP fool and bang opposite another horrendous building built by another hard head, this time from the opposing PN party. But not to worry my friend we can all make merry in the other project you probably also approve, but do get your umbrella just in case.
Mike Magri
Jan 14th 2011, 17:14
"...The building will also be 45 centimetres higher and 25 centimetres lower...." What is going to be `Higher` and `Lower`.. The front, the back, where...?? Does this mean then that we are going to have to Pay MORE to Renzo Piano for this change in his plans etc...?? Any way.... As far as i am concerned, the way this whole project is planned, is totaly A Big Fat Eye Sore..... Period....
Mr C Galea
May 4th 2011, 17:15
i fully agree
P.Cassar
Jan 14th 2011, 16:30
AND WE'RE PAYING MILLIONS FOR THIS MONSTROSITY ON ENTERING VALLETTA.
WHAT SHALL WE SAY TO VISITORS.........THIS IS A SUBLIME WORK.........IMAGINE LA VALETT SEEING THIS !!!!!!!!
POOR MALTA.
POOR MALTA AND THE MALTESE
anton borg
Jan 14th 2011, 15:46
This design surely deserves the "Carbuncle of the year" award. It's absolutely ghastly.
ASpiteri
Jan 14th 2011, 14:25
www.stopprojectpiano.com
DVella
Jan 14th 2011, 15:20
www.notofalsenostalgiconbsessions.com
Stefan Spiteri
Jan 14th 2011, 13:44
I'm not criticizing our gov but at this time you have to adapt crises are every were you think we are not going to get hit
Spain,Uk,Greece and many more and these are better country then us! so why we are acting as heroes if we never know what will
strike us next..
apgrech
Jan 14th 2011, 13:22
Look at the baroque architecture - the sculpture and beautiful columns. Who designed this? Was it Lorenzo Gafa'? It matches the beauty of our capital.
DVella
Jan 14th 2011, 14:59
Are you aware that we are not living in the seventeenth century?? . . . then again, perhaps not!
Dylan Olliver
Jan 14th 2011, 12:34
Could someone kindly explain how the building can be 45 centimetres higher and 25 centimetres lower ???
john vella
Jan 14th 2011, 17:50
Dear Dylan Oliver the answer is very elementary. It is being PLANNED to accommodate the tall persons if they prefer to stand in the front, and accommodate the short persons if they prefer to stand at the back. It is very simple logic! ):
john vella
Jan 14th 2011, 12:31
Sorry! Is this Flash News!
Can anyone doubt that the outcome could have been different!
Only in Malta
Manuel Cassar
Jan 14th 2011, 12:19
The usual gemgem is back again. Whilst I do understand that every individual has a particular idea of how the Valletta Entrance project should have been done, I cannot understand how everyone is failing to understand that this project will not only be much better than the current slum-like entrance and square, but it will also breathe new life into our capital city. We should never forget that whilst Valletta is a historical jewel, it is not a museum city like Mdina, and therefore we must protect what is left of the past but also embrace the future through contemporary design and architecture. Modern architecture has been shown to embrace the past and compliment it in many projects such as in Athens, Graz and London and I therefore cannot understand why this cannot happen in Valletta.
Adrian Borg cardona
Jan 14th 2011, 12:35
Is it sdifficult to understand that Valletta is tiny when compared to Athens, Graz and London (!!) and that therefore an ultra-modern building in a baroque city as Valletta is, will stand out like a carbuncle on the face of a beauty?
DVella
Jan 14th 2011, 12:50
Baroque my eye!! The only people that insistently refer to Valletta as a Baroque city are invariably those whose grasp and knowledge of Architecture (and their relevant qualifications in the subject) are non-existant!!!
Valletta happens to be a Renaissance city (Baroque came more than a century later!) and the architectural typology of the city ranges from neo-classical to baroque (yes there is some) and even art nouveau . . . but the self-appointed experts with their baroque obsession are totally blind to this ! !
C. Borg
Jan 14th 2011, 12:08
Who really cares if it's a few centimetres higher or lower. What difference does it make.
It's place is surely not in Valletta, and not in any old town or village either. Maybe in some by-pass or
Ta Qali, somewhere where it doesn't clash with it's surrounding.
However that seems too late now.
J Mallia
Jan 14th 2011, 12:00
Was there anybody on this island who had a doubt that these changes were not going to be approved by MEPA ??? Tad dahk :)
D. Scerri
Jan 14th 2011, 11:53
Rubber-stamp parliament rubber-stamped.
Adriano Spiteri
Jan 14th 2011, 11:46
The promised 'Cultural Project'.
This will become a shameful monument for Dr Gonzi. It will remind us of a shameful PM.
The Open 'Opera house' is costing far less than the gate breach and the unnecessary Parliament.
This Project will ruin our Capital City.
mario gellel
Jan 14th 2011, 11:41
MELA L-EWWEL NOQODU NIFTAHRU LI QABBADNA IL- FAMUZ PIANO LI SEWA IL-MILJUNI, BIEX ISSA BIDDILNA IL-PJANTI. TGHID ANKE L-ISTIMA SE TKUN DIFFERENTI ?????
M. Busuttil
Jan 14th 2011, 11:26
I had my doubts regarding the changes thar they would not be approved :-P
Kemm huma fast il-Mepa meta jridu !!