Din l-Art Helwa this week announced the winners of its 2015 Architectural Heritage Awards Scheme organised with the support of the Kamra tal-Periti.

Now in its 11th edition, the Din l-Art Helwa Awards are intended to give public recognition to projects that contribute to architectural excellence in a Maltese context through the rehabilitation and reuse of built heritage and encourage those active in its restoration.

The awards were presented by Professor Richard England after being announced by Maria Grazia Cassar, executive president of Din l-Art Helwa and chairperson of the Award Scheme panel of judges. Present for the occasion were several members of the Commonwealth Association of Architects.

The three different award categories encompassed by the Din l-Art Helwa Scheme are for projects which cover A) a Major Regeneration, B) for the Rehabilitation and Re-use of Old Buildings and C) for Conservation and Restoration.

The Prix d'Honneur in Category A for a Major Regeneration was awarded to Architecture Project for the Dock No. 1 Regeneration Project as a "true example of a project serving as catalyst for the urban regeneration of an area and its community which for decades had suffered a decline in prosperity".

The result of the project regained access to Dockyard Creek uniting the residential quarters of the Three Cities through a continuous 2.5km long promenade, linking Senglea's and Vittoriosa's waterfronts with gardens and public spaces, while retaining the industrial heritage of the dockyard. The project included the reconditioning of historic water reservoirs from the Knights' and British period, as well as the development of a wastewater filtering system, called Neptune, for use as irrigation of the surrounding vegetation and landscape. This system was the result of a research project carried out in collaboration between A.P., the Biology Department at the University of Malta, Argotti Botanical Gardens and the Water Services Corporation. The dock itself was restored, including the reinstatement of the dock-head and all services and utilities re-laid and buried throughout, reclaiming uncluttered public spaces. A new connecting bridge, spanning 45 metres over the creek, now allows for free-flowing pedestrian connection between the Three Cities.

Also in Category A, for Major Regeneration, a Diploma was awarded to DeMicoli and Associates for "the ambitious undertaking, of considerable scale and sensitivity for the Regeneration of Fort St Elmo". Describing the fort complex as a "city within a city" underutilized for many years, Ms Cassar said the project included the preparation of a master plan which clearly identified the various historical structures dating from the Knights' period, up to the more recent past, and their careful conservation and restoration. The aim of the regeneration of this fort when fully implemented is to allow access to the public around the outer bastion trace as well as integrating a visitor trail with entry to the War Museum. The main parade ground within the fort has already hosted many concerts and public activities since its restoration, and more recently served as a media centre during the Valletta Summit.

In Category B, for the Rehabilitation and Re-use of old buildings, the Prix d'Honneur was awarded to Casa Ellul by Chris Briffa Architects which was an excellent example of the conversion of a Valletta townhouse into a luxury guesthouse. The rehabilitation and re-use was executed with incredible flair and sensitivity to the history of the house, which retained most of its original antique furniture, while introducing all modern comforts. The architectural fabric of the house has been allowed to show through, and the new interventions designed with honesty throughout, resulting in an extremely elegant and space-related interior.

Ursolino Valletta by CVC Architecture Studio also received the Diploma within Category B - "for the creative rehabilitation of a Valletta townhouse and its reuse as a luxury guesthouse". The young architects entrusted with the job utilised creative solutions to accommodate the new services and spaces required, while respecting the original fabric of the building. The screening of the lift shaft and the floating stairs leading to the breakfast bar were found to be particularly intriguing with good quality detailing used throughout.

The Prix d'Honneur in Category C - for a Conservation and Restoration project, was awarded to the Munxar Local Council, for the intriguing conservation and restoration carried out on the disused Emergency Underground Flour Mills and Grain Silos at Xlendi, Gozo. Architects Edward Said and William Lewis oversaw the project which spanned the best part of four years, during which time all the underground chambers, and machinery housed within them were fully conserved and restored to working condition. The Flour Mills and Grain Silos, dating from 1957, are now a visitor attraction, and an important part of Malta's industrial heritage.

Within the last Category C, Villa Gourgion was found worthy of a Diploma for the "laborious conservation and restoration of an 18th century villa in Lija". Villa Gourgion had suffered many years of neglect and insensitive interventions. The present owner took it upon herself to bring back this Grade I scheduled property to pristine condition, and together with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, led by Architect Marielouise Caruana Galea, project manager Carmel Spiteri, contractor Robert Lia, and the restoration and conservation specialists Recoop,  embarked on the painstaking job. The gardens, including the structures, statuary, the interior ceiling paintings, the basement stone kitchens, as well as the architectural fabric of the villa have all been given a new lease of life and saved from further deterioration.

Dock No. 1 Regeneration by Architecture Project wins the Grand Prix

The 2105 panel of Judges under the chairmanship of Ms Cassar was made up of Dr Conrad Thake, architect, historian and lecturer, representing the Kamra tal-Periti; Dr Antonio Mollicone, architect and lecturer at the University of Malta and Joanna Spiteri Staines, architect and Din l-Art Helwa council member.