Travertine, Copper and Deep Sea Blue: The Sacred Auditorium at Blata l-Bajda

TRAVERTINE, COPPER AND DEEP SEA BLUE

The Sacred Auditorium at Blata l-Bajda

This project was awarded a Special Commendation (Category C - Restoration and Conservation Project) in the XV edition of the Din l-Art Ħelwa Architectural Heritage Awards

‘Architecture is art when one consciously or unconsciously creates aesthetic emotion in the atmosphere and when this environment produces well being’

The design concept

The concept was built on three main elements. The base of the space – which had to be seamless and warm; the ceiling – which had to be something dynamic and functional; and an overall design that respects and connects with the chapel situated right behind the auditorium stage. The chapel is dedicated to St George Preca and was designed by Professor Richard England.

The base of the auditorium looks as though it is carved of stone, making visitors feel grounded yet close to an earthly material. Besides the beauty of travertine that develops over time, another natural element – water – passes through travertine and leaves its mark within the stone. This symbolizes the audience, absorbing what is being delivered from the stage.

A pattern, like pixels diffusing outwards into the audience, is cut out of the travertine and fades out towards the back of the stage. This also represents the information that is being projected from the stage and which is received in silence throughout the auditorium.

The welcoming and enveloping effect of the honey-coloured travertine is successful in its simplicity, with ancillary elements such as doors and speakers incorporated seamlessly within the stone panelling.

The balcony overlooks the central part of the auditorium, with its elements chosen to almost diffuse into each other, disappearing as a sort of void or background in between the travertine base and the copper ceiling.

One of the biggest challenges was to make such a large space seem intimate and welcoming. Since this is a sacred space, the atmosphere to be experienced by people within the space was very important in the design. The travertine was used to accentuate the curvature of the walls, as though the walls were hugging the central space.

The honey-coloured travertine, together with the deep sea blue walls above and reflective copper ceiling all work together to achieve the warm and welcoming feeling.

One of the biggest challenges was to make such a large space seem intimate and welcoming.

The eye rests on a cross of light shining mysteriously through the celestial blue drapes.

The ceiling

Before this renovation, the ceiling of the old auditorium was a dull, flat pane of generic ceiling tiles. With this canopy, the architects introduced an architectural element which is bold and dramatic yet appropriate for this space. The curved, organic form of the new suspended ceiling drops gently towards the stage and recalls a traditional baldacchino while at the same time focusing attention on the end of the space: a location with multiple functions and meanings. At its simplest the eye rests on a cross of light shining mysteriously through the celestial blue drapes; at its most prosaic the eye falls on a projection screen that can be lowered from the ceiling.

The most moving configuration is experienced when the end wall is drawn aside to reveal the wax effigy of St George Preca and the chapel beyond, where he is buried in the crypt. This provides a spiritual fulcrum for both spaces. If, on its own, the auditorium embodies a language of simple modernism, once the serene presence of St George Preca is invoked the auditorium provides a timeless setting which is also appropriate for prayer and contemplation. n

The Society of Christian Doctrine (M.U.S.E.U.M.) was founded by St George Preca in 1907, with the aim of teaching the Catholic faith to children, youths and adults. The society is spread among parishes all over Malta and Gozo, and is also established internationally. It has a strong cultural presence in Maltese society. This auditorium was intended to be a celebration and a milestone in the history of the Society.