Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/176463
39 maltatoday, THIS WEEK Time for architecture 2013 TOGETHER with architects all over the World, the Kamra tal-Periti will again this year be celebrating World Architecture Day on the 7 October, by holding Time for Architecture. Time for Architecture, which will run between the 5 and 11 October, consists of a series of events of interest to architects, students and the general public. If forms part of a strategy to create space for reflection and debate about architecture and the importance of the quality of our built environment on the national agenda as well as transmitting architecture and creating awareness about such topics among the general public. The UIA (International Union of Architects) has chosen CULTUREARCHITECTURE as the theme for the 2013 World Architecture Day, and hopes to generate a wellspring of interpretations and illustrations of architects' diversity, richness, imagination, and capacity for invention through their designs and realisations. New York for example will be celebrating World Architecture Day by hosting a program of events centered on the proposition Towards eight billion: housing the next generation. The Kamra Tal-Periti has this year chosen 'The importance and value of good design: Is it too late?', as a theme, focusing on housing and the urban environments in which we live. How does design quality impact the urban environment? What is its value in a context of a historic built environment and limited land and resources? Is it too late? This series of events will be an opportunity to reflect on the state of our urban environment, the value and role of architecture and good design, the importance of valuing our built cultural heritage, as well as consider some of the challenges which impact the quality our urban environments. The events, taking place at The Fortification Interpretation Centre (Restoration Directorate) in Valletta, will start of on Saturday, 5 October with a children's workshop in the morning. This year's workshop will consider the past, present and future of housing in the different continents, setting a task for the children to think about future dwellings in different countries. The next event will be an exhibition hosted by KTP for the thesis projects of the 2013 students graduating in Architecture & Civil Engineering. The exhibition will be lauched on Saturday evening as part of the Notte Bianca celebrations at 7.30pm followed by refreshments. The exhibition will run until the 11 October. On Sunday morning there will be a guided tour by Dr Conrad Thake visiting three cemetries, namely Msida Bastion Cemetery, Ta' Braxia Cemetery and the Ottoman Military Cemetery. This will be an opportunity to visit part of our heritage which is not usually open for public viewing. Monday, 7 October will see another series of Architecture Nights where UK renowned planner and urban designer Stephen Gleave, chairman of IBI Taylor Young will give a talk on Making better places – buildings and space. What makes a great place? How do we achieve memorable design? What are contemporary design drivers? Is it possible to 'con- trol' design? How does great design add value? Who is responsible? On Thursday, 10 October, Gary Hutswitz film Urbanized will be screened. Urbanized is a feature-length documentary about the design of cities, which looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world's foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers. This event will provide the opportunity to consider what is being experienced in other parts of the world, the solutions which have been sought and how these may relate to the Maltese context. The events will come to an end on Friday, 11 October with a debate on the situation of vacant properties in Malta. This debate will attempt to understand the definition of vacancy and the reasons for different types of vacancy. This event will be followed by a closing reception. These events are being sponsored by DEX Workspaces, Signs Systems, The Ministry for Education and Employment, MEPA and Transient Light & Sound and are open to the general public. Please visit www.ktpmalta.com or facebook.com/timeforarchitecture for more info or email kamratalperiti@go.net.mt. SUNDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2013