Learning from Maltese heritage

Maltese share heritage lessons with CIOB

Delegates at International Heritage Conference learn from site visits and presentations

Feedback from delegates shows

that CIOB’s recent International Heritage Conference in Malta was seen as a great success.

Held at the Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta at the start of November, the event featured presentations from speakers at the top of their field in the UK and Malta, backed up by some first-class site visits showcasing planned work, work in progress and completed projects on some diverse and complex historic sites.

These examples demonstrated how sustainable adaptation can be successfully achieved without undue compromise to conservation principles.

Delegates experienced behind-the-scenes tours of the Grandmaster’s Palace, MUŻA art gallery, Valletta Design Cluster and Esplora science museum.

During the conference delegates learned about: structural impacts and mitigation; cooling buildings – taking advantage of traditional methods in Mediterranean countries; the conservation process; lessons learned from Italy; a Maltese vision for industrial heritage; and why using historic buildings makes good business sense.

On the final day, a panel discussion provided an opportunity to discuss international examples of good practice – and to debate the next steps. The challenge now is to pass on the learning to a wider European audience, so that traditional Maltese approaches can be utilised further afield. ●

CIOB heritage conference delegates learn from Maltese approaches in Valletta

One to watch

Ben Chalk MCIOB, construction manager, GIR Services

Why did you choose construction for a career? What else might you have done? The combination of hard work and managing complex processes drew me toward the industry. I started as an apprentice at 15 years old and progressed to co-owning a chartered construction consultancy advising clients on all levels. I would’ve become a mixed martial arts fighter.

You were the youngest ever chartered member. Why did you want to pursue MCIOB status? I have always very strongly believed in education and my own responsibility to advance in my own CPD. The CIOB is an organisation whose principles stand for progressing in your career by educating yourself and achieving milestones. MCIOB status shows the clients that all the CPD learned, and experience built up over the years, is tried and tested. It reassures not only clients but other stakeholders in projects to know that they are working with people at the highest possible professional level within our industry.

What do you enjoy about this industry and what one thing would you change if you could? I enjoy completing a project and visualising every detail related to getting to the finishing line. I enjoy directing all different stakeholders, professionals, and relevant people for the outcome of creating a space that is used to enhance people’s lives in many ways.

What are your career ambitions? To keep building bigger, better and more efficiently. I also strive to keep a clean record of health and safety. Because of my pathway to where I am today, I can relate to each and every level operator on site and fully understand their concerns.

How do you spend your spare time? I am an avid accordion player and I do a considerable amount of mixed martial arts. I also volunteer in a local shelter for youngsters in NEET (not in education, employment or training). I like to relax but at the same time give my time to help youngsters in a lesser situation than myself.