Architecture & Design

Architecture & Design | 29 him; in fact, he built a professional career and even owns his very own reputable studio. He explained how sports was never (and still is not) a strength of his, so while his friends were playing football, he did what he loved most; planning and building tents in the closest field to home. Subject topics jumped sporadically from one to another; we discussed everything from what it is like to be a designer and the challenges of establishing a studio set up within the creative industry to the design of residences and public spaces as well as wine boutiques and theme-focused centres and hotels. When bringing up hotel design, we also managed to grasp information about an exciting enquiry he researched as part of his design research MA thesis. The subject underlies the aspect of design collaboration taken through an array of approaches. An interesting point made was the fact that design must be looked at from a critical and an analytical approach by way of narrating a built-up to the outcome of that design itself. One might not like a design; beautiful or ugly is the first judgement people make from the naked eye. Even though people have the right to an opinion about a design, that same design might make true sense if the person behind it is allowed to explain what derived that design and what led to the final result. It is like telling a story, after all. Cassar passionately gave detailed explanations about case-study scenarios providing practical and sustainable solutions. Cassar discusses the sustainable use of our rich historical and cultural heritage and how we can use it properly to develop sustainable neighbourhoods further through collaborative design. One of the study pillars is dealing with providing additional open, intimate spaces within our village cores. It is the urban stitching concept whereby underutilised (in most cases Government-owned) properties can be converted into recreational spaces narrating a theme related to the village history. The added value to these kinds of projects lies in the way design critically revolves around the adaptation so that a futuristic space that relates to the place's past is created. Other explorations we have sat back on exploring is the use of roofs and the way we must adopt to intelligently allow for expanding the public outdoors through the dual use of any public buildings. We saw an excellent example in the Valletta Design Cluster. Thumbs up for that. That is the way forward, and we have local designers who are competent in creating these futuristic requirements. "If I may prompt a point, please allow me to make a small parenthesis; it is impressive how some metropolitan cities, such as central London, which is highly dense with built-up areas, are balanced with sporadic green cores. Go through Google maps, and you will understand my point. Our reality is that we cannot be London, but it is vital to seek the right sustainable solutions within our limitations for our circumstances; that is where the urban stitching concept fits in." We went on to discuss the disused Selmun Palace Hotel grounds and how they can possibly be redefined. Cassar recounted how this site is open to visit, look at and observe. He observed this site with a creative and patriotic twist. He finds no problem vouching for his patriotism and explains how he wants the best for Malta through what he loves practising; design. There is little need to explain where Selmun Palace Hotel is located and it is definitely another prime example of our rich historical heritage. The site is unique, but sadly, there seems to be little interest in its potential. Cassar tries to instigate this interest himself. "We cannot dig our heads in the sand without acknowledging the context of this hotel's contribution towards our island's socio-economic aspect. The then hotel chain had supported the country airline's early days of survival. This also needs to be read in the context of our country's early days of tourism accommodation evolvement during times when the islands felt like orphans after the fall of the British Empire." Why are we saying all this? Because it would render it easy for us to jump to a conclusion, but after being aware of the hotel's socio-economic contribution, we would appreciate thus taking measures within context. Embracing both narratives of socio-economic and tourism evolvement laid firm grounds to embark on identifying the themes of the design proposal. These themes were further extrapolated within the site's environmental aspects to ensure that all components diffuse within a sustainable and collaborative design solution for the place. Following research outcomes, the most appropriate utility was to provide stock for the high-end niche market seeking boutique accommodation within rural settings. This also aimed to limit the required built-up volumes in making up for economic viability. The site surroundings are a Natura 2000 degree and provide rich environmental influences and inspirations. The presence of these environmental limitations offered opportunities as opposed to challenges. Unique rural sporadic landscaping features were defined and introduced to the concept. These features " There is little need to explain where Selmun Palace Hotel is located and it is definitely another prime example of our rich historical heritage. The site is unique, but sadly, there seems to be little interest in its potential "

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