Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1192401
COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 DECEMBER 2019 16 VASSALLO Builders' annual seminar was held in December at the Vivaldi Hotel where a 'We can do it' theme was chosen for this year. The seminar kicked off with a speech by Group CEO Pio Vassallo who focused his mes- sage on the group's vision and purpose to influence a positive change in society and the econ- omy. Mr Vassallo explained how this vision and the positive im- pact on society is being achieved through the many businesses that the group operates. Vassallo Builders CEO Jona- than Buttigieg shared statistics about all the projects carried out during the year and plans for 2020 to close off a five-year plan – Vision 2020'. The theme which was focused on targets was also reflected through a large printed board with a target reaching 2020, with every em- ployee leaving their fingerprint as a sign of teamwork to reach the company's goals. Group Chairman Nazzareno Vassallo was also present and had a few words to share with everyone. The guest speaker for this sem- inar, one of Malta's finest mid- dle-distance runner and moti- vational speaker Xandru Grech delivered a speech about positiv- ity, eliminating negative charac- teristics and working on achiev- ing the positive ones to improve one's life. He also discussed the targets individuals face at work and eliminating fears to improve achievements. An archery team-building event was organised follow- ing the talks where the group was divided into 5 groups for a friendly competition. Following the event, CaterEssence hosted a buffet lunch for all at Antonio's Restaurant, Vivaldi Hotel. 'We can do it' is theme for Vassallo Builders annual seminar Group Chairman Nazzareno Vassallo was also present and had a few words to share with everyone THE Environment and Re- sources Authority (ERA) is- sued a Conservation Order and Protection Notice in Mensija, San Gwann that includes the site of the proposed develop- ment application numbered PA/04214/19. This application already drew over 260 objec- tions from the public, residents and NGOs. The details of this Conservation Order were pub- lished in the Government Ga- zette No 20,297 dated 19th November under government notice no. 1476 of 2019. The protected area, referred to as the Solution Subsidence Structure in Tal-Mensija, has been designated as a Special Area of Geological Importance with the aim to conserve and protect the geology and geomor- phology of the site due to the natural features that encompass flora, fauna, natural habitats and the unique cave structures that form part of the historic Mensija Chapel and underlie neighbour- ing dwellings. The Conservation Order was issued more or less at the same time that the Planning Authority published a Development Per- mit Application Report (DPA) report on the proposed develop- ment application PA/04214/19 in the hamlet of Mensija,. The application had raised seri- ous concerns by the Environ- ment and Resources Authority ("ERA"), the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage ("SCH"), the Archdiocese of Malta, by resi- dents in the locality and drew harsh criticism from the public and NGOs across the social me- dia. The proposed massive de- velopment also raised serious concerns from the custodians of historical properties in this historic hamlet. These proper- ties include the unique Mensija Chapel, built in a cave dating back to the 16th century, and Torri ta' Lanzun, one of the last examples of a fortified farm- house in Malta. Both are Grade 1 cultural heritage sites located barely 50 metres away from the proposed development The main areas of concern raised via the objections in- cluded the stability of a series of caves that lie just beneath the ridge over which the site of the proposed development extends. Planned excavation close to these caves could lead to struc- tural damage and the collapse of: the historic Mensija Chapel, that continues to host people from the community for daily mass and; overlying private dwell- ings, putting people's life at risk. Due to the extent of the caves, concerns have also been raised regarding potential structural damage to Torri Ta' Lanzun. The visual impact of this pro- posed development, which can be compared to building a large hotel in a small community – apart from towering over all the other neighbouring build- ings will be a massive eyesore from afar. Furthermore, it will create a negative impact on the streetscape, especially through an oppressive side wall tower- ing over this historical hamlet and engulf the Grade 1 sched- uled and protected sites of the Mensija Chapel and Torri Ta' Lanzun that have been around for well over 300 years, hence ruining one of the last surviving historic hamlets in Malta. Finally the residents, owners and custodians of properties in the area reiterated that they are not against the site being devel- oped, however it is both essen- tial and indispensable that any development takes cognizance of and addresses these seri- ous concerns to avoid any risk of damage to nearby proper- ties - whether historical and/or private – and without ignoring the more serious potential risk to human lives should the rock foundations become unstable. As a result, some residents have also filed Judicial Protests with the Courts of Malta after seeking technical advice to safe- guard their properties and the risks associated with this pro- posed development. The hearing on the develop- ment will be held at the Plan- ning Authority in Floriana on Monday 16 December 2019 at 12:30pm. Mensija conservation order DAAA Haus wins for Cugó Gran Macina DAAA Haus is a Gold Winner of the German Design Circle Award in the category Excel- lence for Interior Architec- ture. Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbor is a historic fortress that dominated the port of the Maltese city of Senglea. Built in 1554 by the Knights of St. John the Macina, has been a landmark for centuries. The building was converted by DAAA Haus into a luxury hotel over a period of 2 years, and completed in 2017. Today it houses 21 suites, ranging from 40 to 130 square meters. The interiors are character- ized by clean and essential lines, quality materials and designer signature furniture pieces. Contemporary design respects and enhances the historical structure. The common areas are in- triguing, with large vaulted ceilings, ample natural light and open views of the har- bour. The minimal design of DAAA Haus has created a re- fined environment in which white and bare natural lime- stone walls speak of volumes and exude elegance, making it unique in the world. "Good design can make the world a better place": this is the belief that for ten years has been guiding DAAA Haus, a multidisciplinary ar- chitecture and design studio with offices in Malta, Milan, Ragusa and soon in India in Mumbai, characterized by an approach particular to the de- sign. Architecture, interior de- sign, branding, artistic pro- duction: the sphere in which the DAAA Haus creatives move is extremely varied and the design (or, as they like to call it, the creative process) never takes off from the sim- ple functionality of the spaces, but from real concepts that aim to offer people values and an identity sense in which to recognize themselves. Founded in 2009 in Malta by creative director Keith Pil- low, DAAA Haus has grown to accommodate 30+ young professionals from different backgrounds, from Maltese to Italian, from Serbs to Irish, passing through India, Po- land, Spain and Tunisia. From their heterogeneity, ambi- tious projects were born, such as Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbor or Rocksalt (2015), a 19th-century garage in Sliema transformed into a modern and chic café, the first DAAA Haus project to be published in international magazines.