Town planning needs to be given more importance and architects should inject more flair into their designs, according to a Maltese-born man who runs an award-winning construction firm in Australia.
The construction situation in Malta improves with every visit, however, there needs to be more emphasis on town planning
“There seem to be too many buildings (in Malta) with the same design, and more architectural flair is needed.
“Better architectural designs are required to create more open space living,” said Paul Sammut, founder of Sammut Constructions.
The company recently won the 2012 Apartment Project of the Year award for what were described as “house-like” apartments, in the category of apartments costing more than $1 million (about €782,000) to build.
It was the company’s 23rd award from Australia’s Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Association since 1997.
Mr Sammut moved to Australia almost six decades ago and he and his family visit Malta every couple of years.
“The construction situation in Malta improves with every visit, but there needs to be more emphasis on the town planning,” he said.
Mr Sammut started off as a joinery carpenter in the British Naval Dockyard, but the highest promotion he could achieve at the time was to become a “leading hand”, as any higher positions were awarded to the British. “Therefore I decided to come to Australia to achieve better opportunities,” he said.
He emigrated in 1953 and now lives in Sydney with his wife, Victoria, and twin sons John and Allen.
Eager to achieve more with his skills, he said: “The original company was set up by me and the main focus was constructing project and contract homes.
“When my two boys came to work with me, in 1984, we set up Sammut Developments.”
The company specialises in creating upmarket residential developments including prestige apartments and luxury home, townhouse and villa developments.
John Sammut looks after all the financial aspects and management of the company while his twin is in charge of the construction side.
“The aim is to produce quality, luxury buildings. All our buildings are designed to incorporate indoor and outdoor living areas with the use of natural stone and timbers,” their father said.
His words were backed up by the website http://propertyobserver.com.eu in an article about their recent award.
It says judges described the apartments as having “house-like proportions, an extremely high level of workmanship and innovative and environmentally sustainable features”.
The award was won for the Drift development in Cronulla, which was completed in early 2010, having sold almost half of the plan by spring 2009.
A typical apartment is 300 square metres with triple garaging.
Standard floor sales ranged from $2million (€1.3m) to $3.2m (€2.5m).