Record number of entries for the 2022 Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning awards

An overwhelming record number of entries have been submitted for the 4th Edition of the Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning (MASP) Awards. The MASP Awards, which the Planning Authority (PA) organises, seek to recognise, and celebrate contemporary architecture and design projects that stand out for their creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship.

This year, the Authority received over 100 entries spread over 12 categories from well- established architectural and design firms and the upcoming generation of Perit and interior designers.

The two most popular categories, with over 20 entries, are Interior Architecture for Commercial or Public Buildings and the Urban Planning Concept.

The Interior Architecture for Commercial or Public Buildings category is for projects which excel in fulfilling the true potential of an interior space of new or refurbished commercial buildings or public buildings and maximise the benefit of environmental influences such as natural light, sound, and ventilation and incorporate innovative material.

The Urban Planning Concept Award, also open to university architectural students, is given for projects still in their concept stage and where innovative planning solutions are identified through which existing challenges in a given space may be addressed.

Maria Spiteri, MASP Awards organiser said “We are humbled with the record number of entries we received for this year’s edition of the MASP Awards. The response by Periti, architectural firms, interior designers and architecture students shows the pride and dedication professionals working in the architecture and design industry have in their work.”

Spiteri remarked, “with the high quality of submitted projects, the jury members have a difficult task on their hands to identify the winners.”

Once again, this year, the jury will be made up of a number of high-profile professionals within the industry.

Chaired by the Past President of the Commonwealth Association of Architects, Perit Vincent Cassar, the jury members will include Dr Sandro Debono, a museum thinker and culture strategist representing the Office of the President, Dr Kevin Gatt, Architect and Lecturer at the University of Malta with a specialisation in sustainable development, Dr Wendy Mifsud, an Architect and Planner with interest in participatory approaches to decision-making in spatial planning and Frank Salt, an influential and respected entrepreneur.

The foreign members will include Katherine Neathercoat, Director and Head of Interior Design at Scott Brownrigg, who leads the creative design direction of the award-winning Interior Design team, Saša Randić, an Architect and former President of the Croatian Architects Association and Prof. Guendalina Salimei, an architect and founding partner of t-studio, Professor at the University of Ascoli Piceno, and the University of Rome La Sapienza and editor of the magazine il Progetto.

Technical experts are also appointed for each category to assist the jury in evaluating.

The small projects category, which was introduced this year, was also popular, receiving ten entries. This category is aimed at projects that, through quality design, creativity and originality, managed to work within a relatively small area (not more than 170 sqm).

The other categories include Rehabilitation and Conservation, Design Award for Good Architecture, Building and Structure, Restoration, Public Open Spaces, Commercial and Public Buildings, Interior Architecture for Residential Projects, Residential Architecture, Architectural Photography and Architectural Engineering.

The public will also be allowed to vote for their favourite architectural and design project between 20 February and 12 March.

Voting will be carried out online through the MASP website www.maspawards.com.

The project which receives the highest number of votes will win the Public Vote honour.

The public vote is separate from the main MASP Awards 2022 judging process, in which professional judges and technical experts assess entries.

The MASP Awards fall under the Patronage of the President of Malta. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony held on Saturday, the 1st of April, 2023.