Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1476751
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 AUGUST 2022 13 COMMERCIAL Contemporary architecture and design exhibition kicks off in Valletta Some of Malta's most recent contemporary architecture and design gems are on display in an outdoor photographic exhibition in Valletta. THE projects, winners of the Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning (MASP) Awards from the last two editions, showcase some of the best creative design efforts and celebrates the diver- sity and excellence to be found in contemporary Maltese archi- tecture. The architecture and interior design projects range from private residences, com- mercial and office buildings, public open spaces to theatres and innovation hubs. While this photographic ex- hibition will enchant passersby through its subject matter, it also serves to drive the mes- sage that through excellence in design form an architectural project can be conducive to im- proving the quality of the built environment. The exhibition al- so serves to recognise the quali- ty work offered by people across the architectural industry for their talent, expertise and crafts- manship. Such award-winning projects take so much more to realise than is visible on the sur- face; it is a team effort that re- quires time, dedication, exper- tise and passion. The exhibition has a dedicated panel for each project, which includes a selec- tion of photos, the jury's critique for having awarded the winning project and details of the team and firm behind the project. Among the projects that can be admired, one will find the Valletta Design Cluster, Villa Fiorentina and Casa Bottega, three historic buildings that were rescued from obsoles- cence and given a new lease of life through sensitive adaptive reuse. The Sterling HQ and The Saw Factory, also feature in the exhibition and demonstrate how high-quality contemporary industrial buildings can reverse the nondescript architecture that characterises such places. The Portomosa Laguna project stands out a high-quality solu- tion to a design brief that re- quired the prioritisation of the waterside location. Also on display are a number of projects which received rec- ognition for their high-quality interior design approach namely the Portughes Outlet in Ibraġġ, a Community and Nature Child- care Centre in Mosta and the residential transformation of two villas in Lija and Kappara. One is also able to appreciate the Il-Pjazzetta and Roof Gar- den of the Design Cluster build- ing which both are exemplary architectural works that created new public open spaces. Other fine works include the transformation of the Im- perial Residential Home, the high-quality restoration of Teat- ru Manoel, the King George and Berta hotel, the Tipico Building and the Gozo Innovation Hub. "The objective of this initiative is to raise awareness and appre- ciation among the public for some of our country's contem- porary architectural treasures, which, at times, go unnoticed because they are not the typical palazzo or auberge with grand facades. While these much- loved buildings from the time of the Knights and beyond are deservedly renowned, the Mal- tese modern architectural world also offers quality projects that promise to leave a positive mark for decades to come." says the PA's Executive Chairman, Mar- tin Saliba. Launched in 2019 by the PA under the Patronage of the President of Malta, the MASP Awards are regarded as a pres- tigious calendar event and a mark of excellence in the indus- try. To date, the awards have al- ways included a repertoire of high profile foreign and local jury members and technical ex- perts. This exhibition will be open for the public between the 12th Au- gust and 12th September 2022.