Vigilo - Din l-Art Ħelwa Issue 55 • MAY 2021
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Winners of the XV Din l-Art Ħelwa Architectural Awards.
XV Edition of the Din l-Art Ħelwa Architectural Heritage Awards Photos by Daryl Cauchi
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t is a measure of success that, each year, the standard of entries for these awards is rising. Established 15 years ago in 2005, the Din l-Art Ħelwa Awards for Architectural Heritage have given recognition and visibility to projects which, in the opinion of the judges, made an outstanding contribution to Maltese cultural heritage and to the achievement of architectural excellence in Malta. Maria Grazia Cassar, head of the judging panel and Din l-Art Ħelwa council member, noted that “many projects, past and present, are directly connected to tourism; all, however, directly impact our quality of life, and we hope that through these awards we will promote the safeguarding of heritage and best practice in restoration and conservation.” The rest of the jury were Prof Conrad Thake representing the Kamra tal-Periti, Prof Antonio Mollicone from the University of Malta, and Din l-Art Ħelwa council member perit Joanna Spiteri Staines. The Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, the Hon Clayton Bartolo, presented the awards. The prizes were awarded as follows: Category A – A Major Regeneration Project The Phoenicia Hotel Spa, Floriana, by AP Valletta – Prix d’Honneur The British Building, Cospicua, by EM Architects – Diploma
Din l-Art Ħelwa president Professor Alex Torpiano.
Category B – The Rehabilitation and Re-Use of Buildings Palazzo de la Salle, Valletta, by the Malta Society of Arts and the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage at the University of Malta – Prix d’Honneur The King George Project, Gharghur, by perit Elena Borg Costanzi and 3DM Architecture – Diploma Admiralty House, Valletta, by the Restoration Directorate – Diploma Category C – A Restoration and Conservation Project Casa Manresa, Floriana, by the Archdiocese of Malta – Prix d’Honneur
Maria Grazia Cassar, chair of the judging panel, at the presentation.
Cimiterju tal-Abbati, by Parocca Ħal-Lija and Architecture XV – Diploma The Sacred Auditorium, Blata l-Bajda, by Atelier Maison – Special Commendation The Judge Maurice Caruana Curran prize signifying the best overall in all categories was won by the Phoenicia Hotel Spa by AP Valletta.
