Architecture Project took the top prizes at Din l-Art Helwa’s architectural heritage awards ceremony held at Torri Mamo last week in the presence of President Emeritus Professor Guido de Marco.

The top prize of a handsome Silver Medal Trophy went to Architect David Drago of Architecture Project for the Valletta Waterfront Project, while the Diploma award was given to Architect Alberto Miceli-Farrugia, also of Architecture Project, for his restoration of Casa Perellos in Zejtun.

The citation by the panel of judges for the restoration, preservation, conservation and refurbishment of the Valletta Waterfront Project at Pinto Wharf read as follows:

“The panel of judges was unanimous in its view that the impact of this outstandingly sympathetic and ambitious restoration of the Valletta Waterfront in one of the most beautiful harbours in the world has made a major contribution to the wholesale regeneration and beautification of this area which stands out as an excellent example of what can be achieved elsewhere.

“The panel of judges felt that the Valletta Waterfront Project demonstrated what a huge impact a project of such major proportions can have on the regeneration of a city while marrying successfully the aesthetic aspects and the historical sensitivity and context of the area with the functionality needed to act as a cruise liner terminal and a commercial and cultural centre.”

The citation of the Diploma for Casa Perellos, a private residence in Zejtun, read as follows: “This restoration project demonstrated clearly how successful an elegant and sympathetic restoration of an old, virtually derelict, house can be, while also meshing it in most successfully and unobtrusively with an extension in modern contemporary design. This was a difficult restoration and intervention carried out to very high standards. Respect for the original structure of this 18th century house has been most carefully maintained.”

Introducing the 2005 Awards, chairman of the panel of judges, Martin Scicluna, said Din l-Art Helwa’s intention and concept in establishing the award was primarily to encourage better architecture. “We wanted to reward any building project that made an outstanding and significant contribution to architectural excellence in a Maltese context. What we were looking for was anything that would stand out as rolling back the tide of uglification that has afflicted so much of our construction development in the last four decades.:

Congratulating Din l-Art Helwa on its initiative in introducing the Architectural Heritage Award and the 2005 winners, Prof. de Marco said the preservation and restoration of our old historic buildings and their successful conversion to new uses were vital to maintaining the beauty of Malta. He said; “Good architecture is not just a technical discipline, it also reflects good design in keeping with our own rich cultural heritage.”