Balluta Bay: Connecting Land and Water
Award for Outstanding Student Project Winner 2024
Location
Student
Karl Farrugia
This project addresses the decline of Balluta Bay, a busy Maltese urban coastline, by tackling issues like limited green spaces, poor pedestrian access, and coastal erosion. The design proposal integrates ecological restoration, urban planning, and sustainable development to revitalize the area. Ultimately, this intervention aims to create a more liveable and resilient space, serving as a model for future coastal projects in Malta. The project was grounded on a careful analysis of the wider area and stood out for its excellent execution across a complex landscape with a simple, yet masterly stroke of the new bridge bypass. The student’s impressive and engaging artwork added considerable value, showcasing an unmatched level of professionalism and thoughtful design.
Special Commendations 2024
Location
Kliem fuq Kliem
Students
Jodie Azzopardi, Sarah Vella, Stefan Scerri, Nikolai Mercieca
This project re-envisions the library experience through an innovative approach, celebrating neglected spaces rather than simply restoring them. It focuses on adapting a semi-derelict area within Villa Frere Gardens. This historic villa was once home to Hookham Frere who collaborated with Mikiel Anton Vassalli to formalise the Maltese language. The intervention is commendable since it concentrates on the transformation of two rooms into an open-air void through which children can pass as they explore the library. This intervention aims to revitalize Villa Frere’s identity by rekindling public interest in its legacy and its profound connection to the Maltese language.
Location
Repose
Student
Gary James Ghirxi
This project demonstrates exceptional maturity in its concept and design, deeply exploring themes of death and consolation with remarkable inclusivity. It proposes a Restorative Space for the Living within the Santa Marija Addolorata Cemetery, Malta’s National Cemetery, utilizing spirituality to transform perceptions of life, death, and belonging. The concept is for the Necropolis Park to serve as a vital spiritual green space, not only for nearby villages like Santa Luċija and Paola but also for the entire nation, establishing it as a destination for remembrance and reflection.
Location
Regatta Club House
Student
Riccardo Gatt Ellis
This project skilfully draws inspiration from international designs to create a community hub for a beloved local sport, the Regatta. Situated within a masterplan for a revitalized port area, the thesis centres on the Regatta Club House and additional complementary initiatives. The goal is to establish a vibrant social space that reconnects the community with Malta’s wider urban fabric. This revitalization aims not only to physically restore the area but also to reinvigorate the cultural significance of the Regatta tradition, ensuring its enduring vitality within the community’s identity.
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