About 100 Royal Air Force stone hangars were destroyed during World War II, except for one in Luqa that was recently restored and was yesterday declared one of the winners of the architectural heritage awards.
The restoration of the RAF hangar involved the renovation of the original steel trusses to support a new roof, the conservation of the stone pen and the concrete floor and the insertion of services such as lighting, photovoltaic panels and natural light sources.
The Armed Forces of Malta commissioned a multidisciplinary team of engineers, architects and specialists to come up with a holistic project that was carried out by the architecture team Air Stream.
The awards give public recognition to projects that contribute to architectural excellence through the rehabilitation and reuse ofbuilt heritage
The project was named as one of the four winners of the 2014 Architectural Heritage Awards organised by environmental NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa with the support of the Chamber of Architects.
Now in its 10th edition, the Din l-Art Ħelwa awards scheme is intended to give public recognition to projects that contribute to architectural excellence in a Maltese context through the rehabilitation and reuse of built heritage and encourage those active in its restoration.
The RAF hangar won the restoration and conservation project category. The Harbour Club, in Valletta, by Chris Briffa Architects, won the prize for the major regeneration project category. It was also awarded the silver medal signifying the best in all categories.
The project consisted of the conversion of an 18th century warehouse, at the pivot point between Ta’ Liesse Hill and Barriera Wharf, into a restaurant and club with open air and indoor facilities.
The Valletta offices of Ganado Advocates, by Architecture Project, won the category for the rehabilitation and reuse of buildings. It involved the rehabilitation and reuse of a dilapidated large palazzo in Valletta into state-of-the-art corporate offices, while respecting and enhancing the original fabric of the building.
Dar Kenn Għal-Saħħtek, by the Malta Community Chest Fund and designed by JB Architects, was granted a diploma in the same category. The residential and semi-residential facility aimed to provide a holistic treatment of patients with eating disorders and is located at the former Sisters’ Quarters in Mtarfa.
The awards were presented by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici after being announced by Maria Grazia Cassar, chairwoman of the panel of judges.
The judges were Conrad Thake, architect, lecturer and historian, representing the Chamber of Advocates; Antonio Mollicone, architect and lecturer at the University of Malta; and Joanna Spiteri Staines, architect and Din l-Art Ħelwa council member.