Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1502332
12 | Architecture & Design T he primary objective of this ambitious and sensitive endeavour was to address the control of the internal micro-climatic environment within the Grand Masters' Crypt at St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, so as to preserve this unique world-class artefact. The prevalent ambient conditions in this space resulted from the confinement and absence of controlled ventilation. As expected, the challenge was not only technological, but, above all, it required a particular design solution, which had to be seamlessly integrated with the sensitive fabric of the Grand Masters' Crypt, and the main altar in St. John's Co-Cathedral overlying the Crypt and the spaces behind the Main Altar. Furthermore, the implementation phase required unprecedented care and attention to detail, so as to ensure that the ambitious technical proposal could, in effect, be implemented without, in any way, compromising such a historic and important building. TBA Periti were responsible for the overall design and project execution bringing together various technical expertise so as to identify the best possible, and least intrusive design solution, whilst ensuring that the potential design ambient conditions, made possible by today's technological advances in micro-climatic control, were achievable, fit for purpose and sustainable. The Grand Masters' Crypt is unique a subterranean INSTALLATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE GRAND MASTERS' CRYPT AT ST. JOHN'S CO-CATHEDRAL I n 2 0 1 9 , T B A P e r i t i w e r e a w a r d e d b y D i n l - A r t Ħ e l w a A w a r d s f o r A r c h i t e c t u r a l H e r i t a g e , t h e P r i x d ' H o n n e u r i n C a t e g o r y C f o r t h e p r o j e c t " I n s t a l l a t i o n o f a n E n v i r o n m e n t a l c o n t r o l s y s t e m f o r t h e C o n s e r v a t i o n o f t h e G r a n d M a s t e r s ' C r y p t a t S t J o h n 's C o - C a t h e d r a l , V a l l e t t a " The Grand Masters' Crypt - sarcophagus de Valette Credit: St. John's Co-Cathedral Foundation W o r d s b y P e r i t G a s t o n C a m i l l e r i