The Phoenicia Spa

Photo: Julian Vassallo

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by the Ap valletta design and restoration team

This project won the Prix d’Honneur in its category ‘Major Regeneration Project’ at the XV edition of the Din l-Art Ħelwa Architectural Awards 2021, as well as the Judge Maurice Caruana Curran Award given to the best winner in all categories.

Photo: Julian Vassallo

introduction and historical outline

The new wing of the Phoenicia Hotel, hosting a new spa, is located in the area immediately adjacent to the hotel building, bound by the Mall to the south-east, the ditch of the outer works to the north, the ring road to the southwest and an interruption in the covered way to the north-west at the junction with the Floriana entrenchment. Historically this area was part of the glacis situated in front of Valletta’s fortifications, however the area was already modified prior to the hotel construction.

The hotel is located right on the edge of Valletta’s walls, and partly sits on some of the fortification system outer works. This location gave the hotel its shape and also contributed to the general organisation of the grounds, with its elongated shape that stretches from Valletta’s main gate to the seashore (Fig.1). The location of the new spa was selected to enhance and pay respect to the original shape and layout of the hotel. Historical documents suggest that the hotel is sited on the location of a place of arms and spur, which were part of the fortifications network but seem to have been inexistent at surface level when the hotel construction was underway.

The project is part of a masterplan for the regeneration of the Phoenicia Hotel, which included the restoration and the extension of the main building and the redevelopment of the pool area at the foot of the bastions, aiming at a contemporary experience that pays tribute to the prestige of the pre-existing structure. The main objective is to put forward a viable project that can function holistically and to revive the original concept or legibility of the building guided by an understanding of the inherent values attached to the monument. In the light of these identified values, any proposals result in a scheme that enhances the quality of the monument whilst reducing the rate of decay.

Prior to addressing the restoration of the British stables and coach house, historical plans were collated and a chronology of interventions studied. This led to the discovery that the original proposed plans were not implemented and the buildings did not comply with the original drawings. The site was heavily bombed during an air raid on 27 April 1942, with an estimated 100 bombs dropped on the building and gardens, which affected the ditch too.

historical features and methodology of works

Structurally the complex faced challenges as the presence of large historic ruins was discovered during construction. The works conducted on the historic structures were carried out ensuring the preservation and the integration of the historical features. The methodology of the works was articulated as follows: a) Excavation works, which led to the covering of historical features which formed part of the foundation systems of the Place of Arms, including Wall 1 (Fig.2), running along the length of the new spa, and Wall 2 (Fig.3) running within the mechanical plant room; b) Coverage with a dimpled membrane of the reburied section of Wall 1 to allow for a ventilated barrier between the historic wall and the structure; c) Underpinning of retaining

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1. plan of 1936 showing the original proposal for the hotel before construction. Image courtesy of Records and Archives section, Public Works Malta.

2. the historic wall (Wall 1) uncovered, running along the length of the Spa.

3. the historic wall (Wall 2) uncovered, which runs within the mechanical plant.

4. area of retaining wall that was underpinned.

walls in the plant room, which was required to ensure the structural integrity of the retaining walls for its continued preservation, structurally stabilising it for the construction of the plant room. Furthermore, a membrane sheeting was inserted between the existing retaining wall and the new precast concrete structure, to ensure a barrier between the two, for the preservation of the historic wall (Fig.4).

Finally, the restoration of the historic walls within the spa and the plant room. The walls were restored and integrated within primary spaces in the hotel, to ensure their continual maintenance and preservation. The walls were retained intact in their entirety. Wall 1 was integrated into the spa while Wall 2 was integrated into the mechanical plant room. The lower portion of wall uncovered in Wall 1 was recovered to allow for a build-up of finishes, as part of its integration into the spa, while a portion of Wall 2 was reconstructed, to allow for it integration into the plant room. Any interface between the historic elements and the surrounding construction material was always separated by a dimpled membrane barrier, finished off with a lime-based mortar.

project description and design approach

The concept behind the design of the new wing of the Phoenicia Hotel hosting a spa is rooted in the memory of ancient Roman baths and their positive benefits, both on the body and the spirit. Designed to be a meditative and soothing space, the volume of the spa is developed around the sixteenth-century fortifications, recalling the atmosphere and the setting of thermal baths. The fortifications, as well as the surrounding bastions, are always visible: from the suspended treatment rooms and fitness area, as well as from the pool and lounge area.

Planned to allow further use of the old colonial stables within the historic ditch, the circulation guides the visitor along a spring of water which leads to the relaxing pool area, the arrival of the thermal journey. The architectural language of the new wing stems from the re-interpretation of the Art Deco style of the main building, resulting in a clean repetition of patterns and a distinct linearity, gently promoting the contemporary nature of the intervention.

A neutral, pastel and natural palette, resonating throughout the materiality of the spa, creates a homogenous sculptural effect enhancing its emergence from a fortified preexistent base and projecting the space into a timeless dimension. The reintroduction of the hotel’s historic and exposed turrets led to the articulation of a new and unique aesthetic language for the spa, in a dialectic exchange between old and new.

The design considerations were combined with sustainability principles, of which the most tangible outcome is the installation of a green roof on the extension, providing the structure with an alternative cooling system and making it very energy efficient. n

The fortifications, as well as the surrounding bastions, are always visible: from the suspended treatment rooms and fitness area, as well as from the pool and lounge area