Skyparks is the first building in Malta to obtain BREEAM certification. Simonne Pace finds out more from architect Edwin Mintoff about this top-notch environmental assessment – a springboard to an extensive master plan for Malta International Airport.
Skyparks at Malta International Airport, the 3,100-square-metre project designed by local architectural firm Edwin Mintoff Associates, is the first building in Malta to obtain BREEAM certification.
The aim is to create a cosmopolitan space with a multitude of activities, for people who make use of the airport facilities, as well as those who visit the airport for leisure and for those who work there
The business centre in Gudja joins 200,000 buildings worldwide that have undergone the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method, with around another million registered for assessment since the concept was first launched in 1990.
Setting the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation, BREEAM has become one of the most comprehensive and widely recognised measures of environmental performance.
This method is used to assess the green performance of any type of building, new and existing, anywhere in the world. Established in the UK by the Building Research Establishment, the assessment is a voluntary measurement rating for green buildings.
“Unfortunately, in Malta, design does not always take into account the sustainability and environmental performance of large-scale projects,” said architect and University lecturer in urban design Edwin Mintoff.
Unlike most European countries, where business entrepreneurs wishing to rent office space are usually well-acquainted with BREEAM, the assessment is still relatively unknown in Malta.
“Being the world’s foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings, when a project obtains BREEAM certification, the building is truly exceptional because its performance has undergone an extremely laborious assessment,” Dr Mintoff explained.
It encompasses a wide spectrum of environmental issues, ranging from acoustics, ventilation, construction materials, robustness, transportation facilities and accessibility to landscaping, natural light and amounts of energy and carbon produced, among others.
In the process leading up to certification, case officers carry out numerous assessments at various stages of the development, demanding technical and detailed reports about standards in all areas of the building – from pedestrian crossings and flooding measures to fire escapes and the provision of lockers and benches.
Although Skyparks Business Centre is a standalone building, it is part of Malta International Airport’s long-term vision for the whole area surrounding the airport, which is expected to come to fruition in the near future.
In fact, an application for an extensive master plan is currently at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for consideration.
“The aim is to create an exciting and cosmopolitan space with a multitude of activities, for people who make use of the airport facilities, as well as those who visit the airport for leisure and for those who work there,” Dr Mintoff pointed out.
Among other projects, the master plan for MIA includes increasing the size of the terminal, building a commercial centre, creating additional parking facilities and embellishing the lower levels with hard and soft landscaping.
The development of infrastructure to sustain this master plan was already taken into consideration when designing Skyparks in the first phase of this master plan. Therefore, the phasing of the project will be implemented, keeping in mind the long-term, comprehensive development of the project.
“If and when constructed, the project should prove to be an exciting commercial hub which will attract people from all walks of life and of all age groups.
“The development should prove to be extremely successful, particularly due to the amazing response already obtained from the business centre,” Dr Mintoff added.
He said MIA had the foresight to carry out numerous marketing strategies prior to development, adding that “the company should be commended for the investment it made to identify those activities which will prove to be in demand on a long-term basis”. In fact, a number of agencies were commissioned to determine both activity and demand, not just for the business centre but also for the entire master plan.
“Design played an important role in devising MIA’s business centre project. We even visited a number of airports overseas, such as the one in Zurich, to observe the new role of airport complexes in today’s society and economy.”
Dr Mintoff’s team is applying the same holistic strategy to the master plan.
“We have scores of drawings. The plan is to apply phases to the master plan development, thus assessing the response from businesses to our designs.”
The experienced architect admitted he still had to learn a lot about the aviation industry to be able to cater for the long-term requirements of such a large-scale project.