Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 31 " The site surroundings are a Natura 2000 degree and provide rich environmental influences and inspirations " are further supported by inspirational design themes from the immediate surroundings. When a designer is developing a proposal and formulating a design, what people see as the simple rubble wall, the sheer drop of a cliff, the wooden sticks dividing the fields, the bee's nest, and several other natural features remain no longer in that shape or form. The designer looks at all these features from an abstract eye and transposes them into defined, designed elements. A remarkable key feature in the Selmun proposal was eliminating existing freestanding monolithic volumes that 'compete' with the historic building. Volumetric studies taken from the Northern and Western sides mimic the historical Palace, if not visually eliminate it. "An original drawing dating back hundreds of years as a first trigger made me believe that any proposal must once again allow the Palace to stand tall on its own in a proud manner", added Cassar. Any proposed accommodation buildings are designed in a submerged manner by utilising the existing surrounding stepped topographic levels. Newly introduced accommodation starts flat from the Palace's Mediterranean-themed landscaped grounds and cascade towards the lower levels of the site in a way that the sub-merged buildings embrace and connect rather than define a divisor. The effect of inserting the building within the grounds instead of creating masses is a humble and respectful approach toward the surrounding environment. Another advantage is conserving energy requirements while providing ample natural lighting through purposely defined breaches. Finishes and design elements throughout the resort resemble environment-inspired definitions. These design features greet visitors from the resort's reception through the communal walkways to the guest rooms. The intensity of global tourism competition is a reality. We need to look at any design solution from a global lens. We are no longer an isolated country, but we need to define our solutions to be able to survive both locally and globally. One appreciates this was just a brief explanation skimming through the project highlights. Asked if the people were in favour of the proposal, or rather faced with criticism, Cassar responded that this is similar to exposing a strong subject art piece in an exhibit. Some people might like it, others might not. Some might judge it, while others might say what they would have done differently. Notwithstanding that Cassar has ethically and loyally applied all the research's academic and theoretical outcomes to the proposal, his goal would have been reached if he would have at least managed to trigger a discussion. As an ending note and with direct reference to his project concept proposal, Mario remembers Albert Einstein's motivational statement, "look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better." An aerial impression of the project concept showing the cascading sub-merged accommodation buildings

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