The competition judges, who are all distinguished in the fields of design and architecture, described Mr Xuereb’s design project, the Corinthia Bab Africa, as:

“A remarkable work of art, which portrays a very interesting technical, vari-complex architectural solution. The construction characterises strongly the equilibrium achieved between the fenestration and the solid elements of the façade, as well as the opaque features of the building. The clever ensemble of these elements gives this multi-functional complex an absolute degree of originality.

“The entire structure is a representation of sound architectural expression, which is further symbolised by the implementation of the convex and concave aluminium and glass facades, which are composed of individual rectangular sections.”

The Concorso Metra Sistema D’Autore award is sponsored by the Metra Group, which has been a worldwide leader in the field of high-tech aluminium structures since the early 1960s. Among the high profile international projects in which the Metra Group was involved are the Pyramide at the Paris Louvre and the European Parliament buildings in Brussels and in Strasbourg.

Martin Xuereb is the founder and senior partner of the architectural firm Martin Xuereb & Associates. Over the last two decades, he has worked on architectural projects in Malta, the Bahamas, Croatia, Belgium, Hungary, Poland, Libya, Turkey, Tunisia, and Italy.