Rehabilitation and Conservation Award

Winning submission

Villa La Fiorentina - Camilleri Paris Mode Design Studio

This is an exemplary transformation of a dilapidated building to become a 21st century home. The restoration of the local limestone was sensitively carried out, retaining the original patina, while the building’s salient historical features were also conserved and integrated.  Well-designed extensions were made, in keeping with the character of this historic house. Overall, the design successfully showcases the inspired use of materials and colour that complete the transformation.  Each space, both internally and externally, has been sensitively detailed with the overall scheme in mind, leading to a holistic and coherent design.

Special Commendations

Catholic Teaching Centre - Edward Scerri Architect Studio

The new teaching centre is housed in a building which was about to be demolished and was deemed irretrievable. However, the project team was convinced that the building retained enough of its historical features to merit rehabilitation and reuse. Once the façade was restored and a fresh coat of paint applied to the historic apertures to attractively highlight them, the building is once more a landmark along the street in which it is situated. Internally, the original patterned concrete tiles featuring the emblematic three hills of Gozo and the eight-pointed cross of the Knights of St John were retained and now give the project its unique character. The building is now serving the needs of the local community.

Candle House - MODEL

The project consists of the adaptive reuse of a property which originally served as a candle factory, a use which left its mark on the historic features of the place.  Rehabilitation of the property was based on an assessment of which features to retain and then how to incorporate contemporary amenities of a comfortable home.  The resulting juxtaposition is a successful example of how new and traditional materials can blend-in and coexist.  Despite the rather restricted space, bespoke landscaping features and a split-level entertainment area have been designed in the external spaces, while concrete and timber floors complement the historic interiors.

Admiralty House - Restoration Directorate

This is the former seat of the National Museum of Fine Arts and has been extensively rehabilitated. Worth mentioning is the recovery of some or part of the original colour schemes from previous decades, which had been entirely obscured by layer upon layer of paint.  The building now showcases a beautiful colour palette which complements the painted ceilings and highlights particular features such as the grand staircase and the fenestration of the facade.  New elements are unabashedly contemporary and sensitively integrated, as is the new lighting system that has been installed.