The crucial final thesis review is the annual sought-after event which fifth-year students of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering strive and prepare for with meticulous attention. As an examination which encapsulates five hard-earned years of study and dedication to the subject, each student takes great pride in the successful and well-merited completion of the Bachelor of Architecture and Civil Engineering course.
This year, students from the Architectural Design Stream have dedicated their two final semesters to the regeneration of Floriana, mainly the Belt is-Sebh area and the underlying waterfront onto the Marsamxetto Harbour. A thorough investigation into the history of the area and an analysis of the present existing site functions and conditions have led to a well-married compromise between newly introduced functions on site and previously existing utilities available to the public.
By targeting both the existing residential population in Floriana in addition to the governmental workers on site, the students of the faculty propose two resourceful and ingenious masterplans which are aimed at reclaiming Floriana's identity and establishing a more prominent title to this transition zone and unmaintained service area. The schemes and individual projects cover the design of governmental offices and institutions, residential and recreational areas making the Belt is-Sebh area so much more than just a collection of workplaces and more worthy of its name.
The main aim of the student body is to promote the awareness of the preservation of our national heritage through a well-balanced yet forward-looking intelligent design which gives prime importance to the architectural context of these projects, simultaneously incorporating a fresh aesthetic overview of the Floriana area, still addressing key issues such as sustainability, mobility, functionality and serviceability.
The review examination which is to be conducted by foreign examiner Professor Simon Pepper, as well as the local faculty examiners, will be followed by a three-day exhibition launched at the Michel'Anglo Grima Hall at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on Friday at 7.30 p.m. and will be open to the public. The inauguration will be addressed by the president and chairperson of the Kamra tal-Periti, Architect David Felice, together with Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit and Professor Denis de Lucca, head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Design, who will also conduct the examination.