Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1484591
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 NOVEMBER 2022 OPINION Pride in our profession THIS year, my baby turned 10 years old. However, I am not here to talk about any of my children. My very first baby was my architecture studio, Studjur- ban, a small activity I founded in 2012, specifically to focus on ur- ban and architectural design and policy. I think in this day and age, if one is able to love his job, that is a privilege. In fact, I do feel somewhat lucky and privileged – because being a full time ac- ademic not only allowed me to grow Studjurban at my own pace but to also define this pro- ject through the research we put into every commission. Ten years down the line, I still feel privileged that I can afford to remain true to my original vi- sion, to work on a project only if I agree with it in principle. And in today's climate, I think I must be very lucky to be able to work on projects I truly believe in, driven by my love for research and constant questioning. I work as an architect and an urban designer against a back- drop of a Malta which is unde- niably going through a building frenzy. I could have easily cho- sen to be part of this, but I chose not to. I consciously steer away from soulless apartment blocks because they do not appeal to my vision nor that of my col- leagues. Nonetheless, we grew, but al- though the projects we chose to take on increased in terms of scale and complexity, we have remained true to our principles. Perhaps what differentiates us is the time we dedicate to re- search. Research is a very strong part of who we are because we believe that the best projects are those that best reinterpret their respective context, location, and spirit. Beyond our vision, we also promote the idea of 'respon- sible architecture'. This prin- ciple came from a document I had prepared for a publication by the Architects' Council of Europe (ACE), Europe's main professional body of architects. This document dealt with the need for quality architecture within the built environment and was written in the spirit of a manifesto – to establish good design principles and promote better design quality using also positive case studies in practice. Most importantly, we seek to promote responsible architec- ture every time we acknowledge that as architects we have a re- sponsibility towards our respec- tive communities, towards the environment and future gener- ations by creating a better place than the one we have found. As an architect, it pains me to see social media so rife with photos of buildings and pro- jects that continue to fuel more people against the architectural profession. The problem is multi-fold. I would single out outdated Local Plans that have as a re- sult become irrelevant. In turn, while DC15 was formulated with the best of intentions to contextualise architectural de- sign and to place urban design on the map, it has been widely interpreted, unfortunately rare- ly to favour good design. As a result, a mediocre neighbour- ing commitment might have more weight in assessment and decision-making today than a design policy. Third, and im- portantly, we have been treating height limitation as an absolute right rather than a maximum that could be reached unless the context dictates otherwise. Re- versing this approach is prob- ably the most difficult, but not impossible. With recent figures showing that 34% of Malta's territory is built up, many would deem the country as being overbuilt. Den- sity, per se, is not necessarily wrong. If properly and strategi- cally planned, density may allow economies of scale to flourish, as evidenced by several cities that are based on the 'compact city' model – but a correct bal- ance must be achieved between density, land use mix and mo- bility/access. High density and high car dependence and a lack of regard to cumulative realities of land use topple this balance over. This is why new and prop- erly drafted Local Plans, having a strong and strategic urban de- sign approach, are needed. We need the political will to update these plans and ac- cept that policy is not static but alive and can change. As architects, we also need to col- lectively understand our criti- cal role because ultimately, we are the ones accepting certain jobs. Collectively, we should also take a step in favour of the much-needed rehabilitation of older properties which repre- sent our past, our roots and are part of our heritage. Instead of opting for the easy way out and pulling them down, we need to bring more old properties back to life by restor- ing and repurposing them while ensuring they also perform more sustainably. Beyond the immense contribution of these buildings to our urban fabric and its streetscapes, retaining them is also an act in favour of sustainability. Most importantly, architects need to collectively push for better standards. This profes- sion once carried pride. Today, for many architects, their pro- fession feels just like any other job, and this is an immense pity. Together, we can do much bet- ter than this. Dr Antoine Zammit High density and high car dependence and a lack of regard to cumulative realities of land use topple this balance over. This is why new and properly drafted Local Plans, having a strong and strategic urban design approach, are needed Perit Dr Antoine Zammit is the founder of Studjurban and a lecturer at the Faculty for the Built Environment, University of Malta Sensitive restoration and additions to a Grade 2 facade for a family home in Birzebbuga (Photo: Ramon Portelli)