Architecture & Design

4 | Architecture & Design MERGING ARCHITECTURE STYLES IN MALTA A rchitecture is often divided into various stages in its history, however different epochs tend to overlap, compelling historians to quote approximate dates when evaluating a particular style or design. This is equally true for local architectural styles which have merged over time, reflecting the evolving demography and the needs of the Maltese community and resulting functions of the buildings. Malta's architecture has been decisively influenced by the Islands' various conquerors, with most incoming rulers attempting to impose their own style on the archipelago, without necessarily masking the styles left by their predecessors. More often than not, the imported designs had to be modified to suit the local climate and as a consequence of the ongoing transformation of the country's functions over the ages. Indeed, the local architecture has often attempted to metamorphose in order to adapt to the evolving functions the Maltese society performed in the course of its rich history. This inter- era merger is visible in many Maltese villages and towns, where buildings having diverse purposes and designs originating from different epochs are found standing side by side, possibly so that logic is made out of their co-existence. Malta's landscape has changed considerably over the past century. Valletta, once the fortified city built by and inhabited by the Knights of the Order of St John, has managed to preserve its national importance as the main hub of most government activity, which felicitously complements the majestic buildings erected during the Knights' and British epochs. The same, however, cannot be said for other less central areas. Many fishing villages such as St. Julian's, Marsaxlokk and Marsalforn have, to a large extent been sacrificed to gratify an increased demand for waterfront property. Inland, a substantial percentage of agricultural activity and husbandry in towns like Rabat and Siggiewi have been abandoned due to rural depopulation and the resultant field neglect, paired with the 'continuous need' to stretch urban residential areas. The erstwhile considerably large baking communities situated in inland areas such as Qormi have also been thinned out, as manual or artisanal jobs become less in demand by the Islands' younger generation. The three cities which border the Grand Harbour have also considerably altered their consistency, as a large percentage of families living here originally earned a living through the activities taking place in and around the harbour and the docks it housed. By the time this activity wound down towards the end of the 20th century, a significant number of families in the three cities had relocated. Although these communities and workforces were hugely depleted, these were never completely 'eradicated' from their original town of birth, and a small minority of families whose livelihood depended on these different trades have had to suffer the painful scourges of modernisation happening around them as time passed. Malta has always been a popular touristic resort, with holidaymakers regularly seeking the clement Mediterranean climate. However, the country's tourism sector has changed time and again over the years and many tourists no longer simply search for the 'hot sun and clear blue sea'. Some chose Malta when it became a hub for tourists intending to improve their grasp of the English language. Although other changes have occurred throughout the history of the Islands, the residents have always seemed able to adapt to the needs of both the local society and tourists alike, sometimes changing the services provided so as to haul in better profits in a very flexible way. This can be confirmed through the mutating entertainment centres and supporting residential facilities which, over time, have been developed in strategic districts of Malta, Gozo and Comino. Due to the increased popularity of the archipelago with holidaymakers, the tourism industry has claimed many areas, to develop hotels and other catering or entertainment establishments. As expected, these 'new' establishments are erected in areas which are strategically chosen to benefit the project embarked upon. However, in many a case the new development cannot be said to have married its surroundings convincingly. A trade that has survived the local metamorphosis of society's functions and architecture throughout the ages is that of the stone mason. Undeniably, structural development had accelerated owing to the nation's much needed rebuilding after the devastation caused by the Second World War. The role of the stone mason in this rebuilding was obviously essential. Modern-age rock cutting, carving and sculpting has also transformed, amid the country's ongoing evolution of architecture and function. The depleting of natural rock resources and the adaptability of concrete has increased the popularity of the latter with stone masons. Thus, concrete has predominately overcome the use of stone in buildings, meaning that the stone mason has had to adapt to the new reality and was obliged to learn how to use concrete moulds and pre- fabricated concrete building elements. Over and above this, the trade has expanded to include the knowledge Words by Perit Duncan Muscat " A trade that has survived the local metamorphosis of society's functions and architecture throughout the ages is that of the stone mason "

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