ONE TO ELEVEN PROPOSALS FOR ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT IN MALTA
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN
010101 Metropolis will be the new landmark of Malta. The 170 metre high Metropolis tower will be the tallest building on the South Mediterranean Sea and will provide amazing views of Malta. But Metropolis is much more than a tower. It will be a vertical city. The mixed use development of Metropolis, complete with retail, offices, high end apartments, amenities, restaurants, art galleries, will face to the sparkling Triq Testaferrata and adjacent to Ta’ Xbiex Bay and Manoel Island. Because of its strategic location and site-specific design,Metropolis will play a key role of the redevelopmentof Malta, in terms of social, economic andenvironmental sustainability. Project description Metropolis consists of two main elements: the Podium and the Tower, which, combined together through a Berninian colonnade, shape the Piazza, creating a new urban polarity, which will celebrate the Maltese social life. The strategic choice of our design is to open the Piazza 100% to Triq Testaferrata and use theexisting slope of the site as a great opportunity to maximize the commercial value of the Ground Floor: from the highest to the lowest level of the surrounding roads, we can create three different points of access at three different levels: +14.50 for the Office, +10.00 for Retail, and +5.50 for the Residential. In this way our design provides for a highperformance Ground Floor, articulated as Upper Ground Floor, Medium Ground Floor and Lower Ground Floor, each of which are design to be the short-cuts used by the pedestrian fluxes within the plot, thus activating the shops at the city level. Under the Piazza there are 2 levels of Basement for parking, which is designed to accommodate 1,000cars (30% of which are mechanical parking) with direct access
from the Lower Ground Floor at +5.50, no external ramp and no extra excavation under the 0.00 level, thus being the most cost-effective solution. Inspired by the towering church spires and by the urban scale of the sandstone Maltese buildings, our design for Metropolis is generated by the irregular site plan which is open to the sky and the city. Planned as a ‘vertical city’, our project maximizes the utilization of space, providing a new urban centrality for Malta. The ground level, in fact, includes the Piazza with a variety of commercial functions such as shops, restaurants and cafes, in addition to areas for art installations. Suspended on the Piazza, is the Podium, which is articulated as the Retail block and the Office Block. Together they shape the sequence process of arrival to the main Tower. The Retail block is conceived to host the Multi-store and the Cinemas. It looks like a typical Maltese sculptural fortress, with a geometry enhanced by the different incidence of the sun on the sand stone of the elevation, which presents three different gradients of porosity depending on the internal functions. The Office block is designed as a horizontal tower, high enough to overview the surrounding cityscape. The internal space is very effective in terms of flexibility of different office layouts for single or multiple tenants. Also the Office tower can beeasily connected with the commercial amenities of the retail through the main distribution space. The rooftop of the Retail thus becomes the outdoor space for the Office tower. The 50 storey Residential tower is designed to be the new Landmark of Malta, but, despite to its great dimension, it is also site-specific designed, maintaining the same micro-scale of Maltese architecture. The slabs, in fact, are all shaped to break the continuity of the elevation, with also a better identification of each unit inside the tower, which can all be easily recognised and personalized, without effecting the overall design. Each inhabitant can thus enjoy being a member of the
same community of Metropolis, but keeping their own identity and uniqueness. As per our design, each floor can be easily fractionized from a single to multi-unit, and vice versa. Also the dimension of the terraces and loggias can easily change in time by varying the position of the floorto-ceiling glass elevation. This flexibility increases the commercial values of the built area, which can be treated as both indoor or outdoor space depending on the needs and desires of the final tenants. At the macro-scale, the tower twists to progressively open the view of the terraces towards Manuel island. Private amenities such as the Swimming Pool, Spa, Gym, Party room are located above the podium. In this sense the roof top of the Office tower becomes the outdoor space for the Residential tower. A helipad is provided at the top of the tower including also the belvedere solarium and a privatesky-lounge. While the Metropolis tower offers luxurious spaces sure to be coveted by companies and residents, the development also caters to the public with a viewing gallery in the Sky Lobby on floor 50. Accessed directly from the Lower Ground Floor, the Sky Lobby of Metropolis is expected to attract over half a million visitors each year. Thus the mixed-program will be attractive to many and will allow Metropolis to contribute to Malta’s future development.
Bird view
View of the Piazza from Triq Testaferrata
View of the Piazza from Triq Testaferrata
Interior Space in the Residential Tower
View of the Piazza from Triq Testaferrata
Bird view
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077338 The Metropolis Tower will be the first tall building outstanding in the extremely compact and short context of the island of Malta. We decided to conceive it as a proper landmark and an icon of strong impact. For this reason, starting from a generic box shaped volume, we broke the mass into two halves giving to the towers a highly iconic sail shape. The work done on the composition and proportion of the elements gives to the building image the actual feature of a sculpture. The project will become a visible icon from the most of the island. Its striking height would give to the penthouses the highest housing point of view in the whole Mediterrenean area. Moreover, the limestone envelope of the two sharp towers is strongly inspired by the pattern of the sourrounding urban fabric. This choice makes the design an evocative vertical extension of the city. The intervention is not only meant to become a visible landmark across the entire island, but also a public realm able to stimulate the urban regeneration of the surroundings. For this reason we designed the mastrerplan as a portion of the urban structure in all its complexity and changeability of configurations. Several squares and paths characterize the intervention both becoming a new centrality for the city and connecting the area to the neighbour around, activating a process of beneficial urban regeneration. Project description The design process that led to the final proposal it’s strongly focused on the importance of the open spaces and their relation with the surroundings. The general design of the area arises mainly from the intention to connect the two main roads surrounding the plot (Triq Testaferrata and Triq d’Argens). Secondly, from the aim to create a system
of squares and paths able to channel the relevant fluxes of people frequenting the sourrounding roads into the main square and along the new commercial boulevard. The difference in height of the plot becomes an important resource for the articulation of the squares. They are arranged on two levels (+13 and +7 meters above sea level) and are accessible from the two opposite corners of the plot (the highest one from from Triq Testaferrata and the lower one from the corner between Triq Enrico Mizzi and Triq d’Argens). The two levels are strongly connected by means of stairs, ramps, wholes and terraces, always keeping a strong visual relation between them. A third level of public open space frame the top of the commercial blocks as a floating ring at +22 meters from the ground level. The “floating ring” is accessible from the plaza by means of several elevators and it gives a panoramic 360° view on the city (22 meters is in fact the maximum allowable height for the buildings in the whole island). A system of urban furnitures are placed in the most scenic spots of the ring to enhance the panoramic value of this design feature. This space is conceived as a huge lifted tray, whose borders are folded to create an inclined balustrade projecting the square right into the landscape. The three different squares located at the top of the commercial blocks are also connected by panoramic bridgeswhich blend the different places together. Being the square at this level highly exposed to both sun and wind, a series of trees is arranged all over the space, making of it a pleasant and comfortable place to spend time. The popularity of the elevated square is ensured by the presence of panoramic restaurants and bars, that would be able to attract people all day long. The distribution of the different functions over the building is conceived with the aim of making them well connected with eachother. Each function has a separate entrance lobby allowing the indipendent use of each of them.
Three main functions are hosted inside the complex: - Housing - Retail - Offices A smaller portion of amenities was added , and placed mainly in proximity with the residential spaces. However, their position is strategically linked to the public floating ring making them accessible by any potential external costumers. The housing units are distributed over 52 and 42 floors, growing in value and extension with the height (the last floors host huge Penthouses and duplexes). The tower plint is filled with the portion of amenities related to health and wellness (spa, beautycenter, gym,fitness). The level of the ‘floating ring’ (+22mt) hosts the portion of amenities related to meeting and entertrainment. The retail program is located in the first four floors of the complex, with the main entrance placed at level -1 (+7 meters above sea level), while the offices start from the raised square (22 metres above).
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN
124129 From an urban and architectural point of view there is clearly one major question. How best organize and shape 52,000mq of new construction onto a 80mt x 90mt foot print together with the need to park 1000 cars? To do this we analysed the original 3 tower project and tested a variety of double and single tower massing models. Following these studies together with our views on the Maltese skyline we decided that our core idea of the new Metropolis development needs to be based around one main tower that emulates the most elegant expression of contemporary residential living. We do not see this as some megalomania idea but rather the most positi¬ve response to enhance the skyline with an architectural landmark that offers uninterrupted 360° views across the entire island and surrounding seascape. Apart from the efficiencies in space and construction this will give the development an iconic status within the island creating an appeal based on proportion and design quality rather than pure extravagance and excessive volume. Project description As in the initial aim of the Metropolis Development project to be Malta’s most modern and tallest development the new design must represent a similar self confidence and ambition to implement an internationally recognised landmark architecture that demonstrates that the island is moving forward and capable of realizing such deve¬lopments. We therefore see the Metropolis as a ‘Beacon’ not just for Malta but the whole of the southern Mediter¬ranean. It therefore must be a beautiful and elegant ‘Beacon’ wor¬king effectively in the skyline during the day and night. It must be a tower that responds to different types of resi¬dents reflecting their different habits, aspirations and life styles by creating a landmark architecture with a strong personality rather than a repetitive
stacking of uninspi¬ring dwellings To meet the construction investment assumptions for the project we have purposely chosen a simple compo¬sition and structural configuration for the whole deve¬lopment. This is combined with our desire to use a very clear selection of materials that will give the Metropolis Development an elegant and timeless design language. This is based on a materiality that uses the most advan¬ced systems of construction prefabrication and the idea to contrast ‘natural’ qualities with precise and ‘techno¬logical’ surfaces. Rather than use the local stone with its inherent limitations we propose to use reconstituted composite panels that have the same beige colour and natural texture to clad the floor plates and some of the fa¬cades. This creates advantages in quality, costs and long term maintenance of the surfaces. We imagine that local stone could be used for external paving of the podium so as give a strong ‘historical’ connection with the site and the island. In contrast with beige stone colour and mass we intend to use glass it is most advanced and perfor¬mance based form. For all transparent zones ultra clear low emission coated safety glass would be used, where as certain zones related to the amenities and more private areas we have selected a mixture of white translucent or white non reflective surfaces. The design seeks to minimise the use of large areas of exposed metal. Where as the residential facades would use brass finished window frames to create a warm and domestic feel for the apartments that would compliment different interior design solutions. All materials would be subjected to appraisal based on sustainable criteria and their long term life cycles and eventual recycling.
Tridimensional view from Triq Enrico Mizzi
Penthouse Internal View
Tridimensional view Residential Tower, Panoramic terrace view
Tridimensional view from Roof top SPA sky terrace
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN
135812 The recent history of the architectural developments within the cities,mainly global metropolitan areas has been a showcase of buildings designed by important architects invited specifically to these locations either by private developers or governments. Cities like NYC, London, Paris and newly developed zones like Dubai or Doha have participated greatly in this phenomenon which deserves a closer look to understand the dynamics of the Metropolis Architectural Competition in Malta. The first and the main motivation behind this is the homogenization of the modern global city. With the rise of liberal global economy and the single-handed development of the construction industry, the process of architectural making has narrowed down to an international style,which manifested itself as an abundance of architectural imagery that couldbe anywhere and everywhere. The international architecture competitions mainly aim at inviting the most progressive minds to very specific locations so that they can question and reinvent the ideas of being local again without falling into the trap of mimicking the past.The second reason and perhaps a logical outcome is to generate branding and create a more vital economy through design and signature buildings thatwould define a certain lifestyle. Project description The complex will be perceived as a large organism, made up of coverings, light yet solid, changing that protect the vital spaces on the inside, bathed in the light of the sun, where nature, light, shade, colours, create a unique lively and stimulating environment where concepts of efficiency marry those of domesticity, organisation, culture, tradition and innovation that will be able to be sensed right from the start of the perceptibility stages of the urban
macro scale, from the vision of the skyline to the interior also through the smallest details. Imposing in a silent way like a symbol of safety and solidity, a true urban mark. The regenerative integration of the intervention inside the existing city is elaborated in terms of continuity with the installed fabric, of the infrastructures and the related relational systems on an urban scale. The square, the penetration axis, the open corners, the perspective axis that shatters the existing fabric, will identify the place and will encourage a rereading of the fabric of the city in a modern and genuine way, yet always with clear references to memory.
Triq Testaferrata - Triq Enrico Mizzi
Triq D’Argens - Triq G. Mitrovich
Triq Enrico Mizzi
View from the infinity pool
The Plaza
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN
17111 The recent history of the architectural developments within the cities,mainly global metropolitan areas has been a showcase of buildings designed by important architects invited specifically to these locations either by private developers or governments. Cities like NYC, London, Paris and newly developed zones like Dubai or Doha have participated greatly in this phenomenon which deserves a closer look to understand the dynamics of the Metropolis Architectural Competition in Malta. The first and the main motivation behind this is the homogenization of the modern global city. With the rise of liberal global economy and the single-handed development of the construction industry, the process of architectural making has narrowed down to an international style,which manifested itself as an abundance of architectural imagery that couldbe anywhere and everywhere. The international architecture competitions mainly aim at inviting the most progressive minds to very specific locations so that they can question and reinvent the ideas of being local again without falling into the trap of mimicking the past.The second reason and perhaps a logical outcome is to generate branding and create a more vital economy through design and signature buildings thatwould define a certain lifestyle. Project description Our very own design process has been interrupted by alate visit to Malta,which forced us to reconsider our purely romantic approach in a radical way. We have come to terms that the situation in Malta is no different than many of the upand coming metropolitan areas, where an excess of degenerated buildings not only overshadows the local urban fabric but also resultsin a fragmented and weak socio-cultural situation.
Thechallenge in this competition is a well known and hard one of answering the economic and programmatic needs without compromising on designing a local andunique building that is able to transform the existing context in the best possible way. Rather than mimicking the surrounding context out we diverted our aim towards creating an architectural prosthesis thatwill bring in the necessary density and urban codes which can constitute the start of atransformation. Ourinitial thoughts on creating a single introverted volume have changed towards expressing thevolumetric identity of each major function separately and focusingon the relationship of these big masses within the immediate urban context. The three programmatic elementsof residences,offices and retail are defined clearly with each having its own mass that overlap each other forming a corner plaza and a composition, where each mass is expressed individually yet forming asculptural unity together and laying the foundations of a set of very bold and strong urban codes for future developments.The urban plaza defined by the L-Shapedmassing, tends to connect to the Marina Park via Triq Testaferrata by opening up the eastern corner towards the marina and the waterfront which will constitute one of the major urban forces in the development of the city. The two main boulevards of Triq Testaferrata and Triq D’argens are then connected with an urban gate that is speculated to be the heart of the development.The scale of the opening references to the surrounding building scale but by creating a negative space,a void,which will become a major meeting place,a focal point,not only for the building complex but also for the city. The ground level of the development is allocated for high end retail functions that serve the plaza and the streets and the social amenities like health club,gym,spa,business and media centers are strategically located at the intersection of the three programmatic masses that giveeasy access not only to the complex but on the city as well. The residential tower, which is located at the more private western corner, is a
32.4x32.4 m square that is very efficient and straight forward in its organization.The four different floor plates stack upon each other flexibly to create any possible unit without being dependent upon a facade and volumetric design.The idea is to setup the codes for planning and let the massing and the facade generate itself,stripped of any subjective or decorative motivation. The main living spaces are recessed with large terraces that not only create large views of the city but also act as shading devices. The secondary rooms without terraces are organized around a grid and they have automated fabric shutters for privacy and climate control. The stacking of the solid void spacescreate savery rich and complex exterior matrix that alsotakes a bow to the Malta balconies at a very abstract level. The office tower is located towards the busy RueD’argens with its main entrance facing the roundabout. In section the office is rich volumetrically revolving around the urban void and an interior upper level courtyard which not only brings sunlight to the deep layout but also gives opportunities for crossventilation and passive systems.The facade of the offices also forms a rational strong grid that forms unity with the residential block. The solar control is achieved by vertical blades that vary in their angles and numbers based on the direction they are facing.Finally,the big retail box is a massive horizontal block that connects the offices and the residences, forming an upper plaza,where a more private outdoor space with a pool is located.The circulation of the retail is placed asymmetrically towards north east edge forming an urban window that overlooks the plaza. All three buildings are cladin local stone with different facade organizations creating a sculptural unity and richness. The complex responds to the high density and programmatic diversity with a calm, understateds implicity but with strong and bold existence that has the potential to create the force majeure that will transform the urban context it is in.
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190276 The ambition of the project is to create anoutstanding, unique destination in Malta and specifically in the neighborhood of Gzira.Within the city’s stratified tissue, the new forms of the project have been generated by the reading of the urban fabric, the order and identity of the existing. The purity and clarity of the master planachieves the creation of a new urbancenter, a unique public space where the community will meet and enjoy a variety of services and activities, bounded by threeiconic towers. The project establishes a new hierarchy in the district of Gzira, generates a new public center, a destination benefiting of lively commercial podium, breathtaking 360 degreeviews, from restaurant and garden café roof top, as well as luxury suites Project description Within the field of irregular building shapes and forms, the purity of 3 classic geometric objects – 3squares - generate an unmistakable, unique and timeless identity for the island of Malta. The project achieves an iconic identity through theexploration of the very definition of the world Metropolis: The term is Greek and means the «mother city» of a colony (in the ancient sense) ... This was later generalized to a city regarded as a center of a specified activity, or any large, important city in a nation The conceptual design is therefore driven by the ambition of generating a metropolis experience where the uniqueness and iconicity will be the resultof a plurality of buildings rather than one singularobject. In order to have a center we needed to create a concentration, a density. The new landmark of Malta won’t be one single tower, but a plurality of outstanding 3 towers and the unique space framed by their architecture. Instead of architecture of form and
image, we have created a reintegration of architecture and engineering, where intelligence is not invested in effect but in a structural and conceptual logic that offers a new kind of performance and functionality. The design of the Metropolis Center retains the monumentality of an outstanding landmark which will integrate the future Malta’s skyline by regenerating the surrounding neighborhood.
Bird’s eye view
View from the top of the future Malta’s Metropolis Center
Interior view of the the exterior loggia of the Sky Villa
The entrance of the concept store
Book store
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN
70YLUJ Project description The Metropolis Plaza seeks to provide a new typology for the current high density urban living condition, currently found in the desirable Mediterranean climate of Malta. The concept of the Architecture is to develop an advanced form of high rise living, specifically tailored for the comfortable microclimate of the Mediterranean that steers away from the more temperate models of high rise living usually found in North America and East Asia which resulted in compact defensive shells, reducing the relationship between the occupant and their outside environment. Metropolis Plaza presents a typological alternative. A high density vertical village, sinuously connecting the fabric of the city and local urban context of Gzira, with the luscious outdoor terraces and indulgent sky villas of the Metropolis. This will permit a differentiated array of new lifestyles in one landmark project. By understanding and evaluating the current urban fabric of Malta, the design proposes to mimic the scale of the local urban blocks and streets, and reorient them vertically. Lacing these new city volumes with controlled injections of natural beauty, the future inhabitants become closer to all aspects of generous nature, the future form of urban living and, therefore fostering a new ultimate relationship between the inhabitant and the natural environment. The structural system follows conventional standards in urban developments; cast insitu cores, columns and beams, with thick, post tensioned slabs sufficient enough to support up to one meter of earth capable of bearing small trees and shrubs, in order to provide the luxury green breath of fresh air. The development of the site seeks to provide not only over 25,000sqm of luxury urban living space, but a responsive and
sensitive urban addition that will provide p remium amenities for the inhabitants of the local environment including Class A Office space and luxury commercial facilities, that are designed in a way to activate the street level with a first class shopping experience along Triq Testaferrata. Going high in the Mediterranean means cooler breezes, less dust, more privacy, and tighter security, less noise and better views. To take advantage of these conditions the building has been carefully arced to optimize a harmony between these unique circumstances that are blessed upon this site. This orientation of the scheme enables sunlight to penetrate deeply between the residential volumes on its regular Mediterranean sun path, flooding the interiors with natural light. During the peak of the day, the locally worked Maltese limestone skin provides solar protection on the south and west facades, regulating the interior climate of the building. Taking advantage of year round optimum weather conditions, the design feeds warm breezes from the ocean between the lush green outdoor terraces, spacious verandas and into luxury indoor spaces via the towers cross ventilation strategy. The apartment’s interiors interact strongly with the exterior, with full height glazing facing onto substantial private balconies, as well as common areas, shared sky gardens and sky terraces spread throughout the building featuring pools and amenities shared by local residents and nurturing a sense of local community. This urban typology of mixed use building explores the relationship between the user, the city, and the natural environment. By providing a rich variety of living conditions, much in the same way a conventional city offers them, as well as bringing the people closer to views of the ocean and thick walls of greenery, the Architecture is providing a framework that will positively shape the outlook of their future.
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774338 INTRODUCTION Malta Metropolis It is always difficult to design a building in Malta. The architecture and the way we approach a project changes each time. Especially in the case of an island, a multicultural place, where not only languages and habits are mixed, but also all the people belonging to this context. The morphology of Malta, with its different characteristics from the history of Valletta to the star-shapes island that determines the existence of the many small ports where ships – from small to big ones – dock. A multicultural and ever-evolving place like this one can only have a multifunctional building. The architecture of the island gets its character by low-rise buildings all having the same sand colour of a specific limestone commonly used. Therefore, if we were to define Malta according to its colours, we would pick sand colour belonging to the local stone and white coming from the ships. The traditional architecture is a mix of cultures, balconies, blow-windows, stone, water, each one of them re¬flecting a cultural value. However, if we were to abstract from Malta, the latter would look like a carved island. Its quarters are characterized by the shadows drawn on the facades. The three-dimensional of the Maltese architecture comes from its shadows. The shadow defines the architecture of Malta that is more solid and opaque than transparent and it protects itself from the sun. Wind, rain and the temperature leap will all be fundamental elements in the development of the architectural project. Today all the buildings apply saving energy solutions and re-use of natural resources following what’s available on site, but the project shouldn’t just focus on solving all
the technical issues, but it also has to be integrated on the context that speaks Maltese and that has profound roots on its quarters. Therefore, it has to interpret the culture of Malta and its peculiarities. It has to become the new symbol of the city not because of its weirdness but because people can identify themselves with it and its spaces as it speaks their same language. Following the above-mentioned analysis, we have developed an architectural project that not only meets the Client’s requests, but also responds to the island’s needs. The many principles of our project are as follows: Location and Culture Urbanism Environment Location and Culture Through tradition, we get to know places. A multicultural society like the Maltese one recognise on its history the unifying element. Culture in Malta is made of different layers, as it is its city and its architecture. The island of Malta is built on different levels. From a morphological point of view, it can be defined as ver¬tical. If we have to move from one place to another one close to it, we have to take long paths because the island lacks the mechanical means to move quickly. Only in a few cases, we can find elevators that connect two different part of the city. Maybe people are starting to understand that Malta is vertical as it is our project. Malta itself is divided by zones. La Valletta lives only during the day; an entire district dedicated to services, a few residential buildings and a predominance of commercial activities and offices. As for the rest of the island, some areas are residential while others concentrate leisure activities. In line with this image of Malta, our project aims at creating a mixed-use building with common areas of interchange. The division by zones seen on the island is reflected in our project where every function is clearly identified along the verticality of the building.
Urbanism As mentioned before, the architecture of Malta is defined by shadows because its buildings a mainly made by the local stone. The presence of green spaces jump out and are in contrast with the mineral elements of the city. Furthermore, the presence of the many boats on the sea add dynamism to the static appearance of the stoned island. Environment The environment, with its limited resources as it is often the case of many small islands around the world, make it possible for each resource to be a precious treasure to be preserved within the project. The sun is not always a positive aspect when it comes to protect from it; however, it is possible to take ad¬vantage of solar radiation, as explained later on. The rain is reused through technologies in line with standard requirements applied to sustainable buildings like this one. The wind will be the defining element of our architecture since the building will work with it constantly. In light of the above, we have developed a project that aims at being integrated as much as possible with the Maltese culture. Project description Project This project is located on the area of Gzira, between two important roads: Triq d’Argens and Triq Testaferra¬da. The morphology of the ground is characterized by different heights that can vary from one point to another with a maximum of 6 meters difference between two points. If we had to excavate far below the actual height, we would find the sea water and this would make it difficult to proceed further down. At the moment, the excavation on the site is roughly 13 meters deep below the highest point which is on the corner between Triq Testaferrata and Triq Mitrovich. This point has been considered as the 0.00 height of the project. From this moment on, all the
heights mentioned will refer to this one. If we look at the different slopes of the existing roads, and if we keep under consideration the fact that Triq testaferrada and Triq d’Argens have a character of primary importance, the actual heights are kept the way they are. The only significant change is at the corner between Triq d’Argens and Triq Mitrovich. Here at the moment there is a ramp parallel to Triq D’Argens that connect the two roads at the height of -4.00. Our aim is to eliminate this ramp and create a new connection between Triq d’Argens and Triq Mitrovich at the heigh of -3.00. Therefore, Triq Mitrovich will have a different slope, the same as the one on Triq Mizzi. It is important to highlight the fact that along the new sloped road there aren’t any buildings, as a consequence, this change will not affect the access to houses of close roads. Having moved the height of the connection between Triq Mitrovich and Triq d’Argens, we have created a new point that will give access to one of the main activities located within the new building. Furthermore, Triq d’Argens has now become wider and important. The architecture of the buildings surrounding the site is simple with some influences from art déco. The medi¬um height is quite low with a maximum of 20 meters. This height represents an important point starting from whom we have developed our project. The site area has a residential character with presence of services and specific commercial activities that re¬quire extended space as it is the case of car stores. There are no areas dedicated to leisure activities despite the proximity with small ports. This latter element has become very important in our project. There is a main access on the secondary road of Triq Mizzi in order to avoid long waiting queues on the prin¬cipal roads. Having extended Triq d’Argens, it is possible to have an additional lane. Exit from the parking will be on this road. At the moment, pedestrian circulation lies along Triq d’Argens and Triq Testaferrata - in particular, along narrow sidewalks. On the whole, the area doesn’t have huge
public spaces. Our aim is to create an element able to generate new life so that in the future it can trigger the development of public spaces around our site as if it were a positive virus. In order to reach this goal, it is important to connect the two main roads through an important public space with shadowed areas, key connections like roads and town squares to be integrated within our project. Along the news pedestrian axis, there will be all those commercial and social activities dedicated to public spaces - like cafés, restaurants, stores, etc. – that will be independent from the main activities of the building – like offices and residential. All the above-mentioned public spaces will be located on a new slab at the height of +2.00. The new slab, lifted off the surrounding roads, reflects the architecture of Malta that, as mentioned earlier, is a vertical city. From a morphological point of view, the lifted slab will be perceived as ramparts made of limestone and therefore in line with local constructions on the island. The idea of having a lifted slab for public spaces let pedestrians feel more protected and this will increase their sense of belonging to the area. It is important to highlight that the presence of water 1 meter below the existing excavation might generate relevant technical problems. This is the reason why the new public spaces have been placed at a higher level in order to create a semi-basement floor hosting commercial functions. Access to offices and residential areas are separated to one another and they are located on opposite sides in a way to avoid any interferences with both public spaces as well as with each other. As the building is organized on different levels, it is possible to keep each function independent to the other ones in terms of circulation and pedestrian accesses. As far as the vertical circulation is concerned, there are two different entrances – one for the offices and the other for the residential areas – each one of them having lifts, service elevators and stairs. In particular, lifts start from the
access level (-3.00), they pass through the commercial levels and for security reasons they do not stop until they reach the first level dedicated to their function.
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN
781654 INTRODUCTION Having an eye for material as a kind of tool for dialogue. A dialogue with the maltese light, that is changing at any time of the day and during different times of the year. The northern, diamond, tower. The diamond tower becomes a tower of light and shadows, where on the south side, the sun is continuously creating contrasts. The monolithic base becomes the support of a vertical stratification, made up of variable frames. These frames start a kind of interaction with the color of the local stone, by using an alternation of innovative materials, such as biodynamic concrete, but also traditional materials, as the local stone. The three buildings tell a story, and create the space in that way, that everyone that passes, can perceive its urban, public and territorial role. The tower wants to be defined as an indifferent landmark to the site. A consequence of actions and reactions to the construction of a new urban central, able to being built thanks to a set of sequences and harmonious rhythms. Architecture in this way becomes a sort of perceptual device of relations: an urban relationship between the different buildings, and an intimate one in different parts of the vertical tower. Project description The project is the result of a careful analysis of the context, of design limits and existing buildings and infrastructure in the area. The strenght of a good design is a design that is able to take into account all the aspects that can be foundational, such as orientation, morphological relation with other buildings, pedestrian access from the new building to surrounding buildings, architectural quality and most of all: sustainability.
The analysis in Capture 2, “Context”, made clear that the new building and the projected open space should: 1. contribute to the regeneration of the area and change drastically the image of the area 2. create a more vital public realm, not only at daytime but also in the evening and at night time 3. act as a catalyst development 4. foresee enough parking spots 5. integrate well in the context (with the focus on the visual relations with other landmarks) 6. function as a connector instead of a fracture, in other words: the project area should have enough permeability Further more it is also important to study the connections between the project area and the main public spaces in the neighborhood, specifically towards the promenade along the water. One of the most important elements of the project is its relationship on the groundlevel with the surrounding buildings and streets. First of all, the public plaza, that shall remain open to the public at all times, is easily accesible: from a ramp on Triq Enrico Mizzi and directly from the Triq D’Argens and Triq Giorgio Mitrovich. Also the shops, offices and residences are quickly accesible: the shops and residences have an entrance from the streetside, while the offices are accesible from the piazza. Second, the commercial functions of the project are all foreseen on the first levels. Smaller shops are foreseen at the Triq Giorgio Mitrovich, while the large department store is foreseen along the Triq Testafferata. Having most of the retail on this side of the project area makes sense because of the commercial value of the Triq Testafferata as a shoppingstreet. The new square is the heart of the project, a lively space, public, accessible; a real new urban polarity.
ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN
861732 INTRODUCTION A new pulsing heart for Gzira, Malta SkyGardens, with its blend of prominent functions and high-end spaces, has been designed to become Malta’s most attractive new development. Unequalled, as one of the first and most important Maltese high-rise developments, SkyGardens will set a benchmark of highest quality standards for tall buildings on the island.Aspiring to be Malta’s most exclusive, modern and highly contemporary project, the design of the com¬plex still roots itself in the local Mediterranean architecture. With its spacious terraces, all of which are duly protected from harsh sunlight, with its light colors, the abundance of green, the water features and long horizontal lines; living in SkyGardens enables you to endlessly extend the views of the many at¬tractive horizons of Malta. Deeply embedded in the Mediterranean tradition SkyGardens openly invites you to a new style of living. Project description Slightly elevated from the surrounding streets, a well-arranged public plaza of 2,760 m2 opens up to Testaferrata street. A stunning waterfall and eloquent fountain, together with the shadow provided by the building’s colossal cantilever and the greenery, this plaza creates a refreshing microclimate for all visitors of the building activities and its spectacular outdoor terraces to enjoy. The SkyGardens Plaza will bring the necessary public live to Gzira and will be for all to enjoy. A department store, with oversized retail surface and two restaurant, connects the plaza and the surrounding streets in different levels. Floors 4 till 6 of the SkyGardens complex allocate a total of 12,000m2 highly flexible, open office spaces. The office space is organized around a central
atrium, that will host the reception and several shared facilities for the possibly different companies, such as reception and meeting rooms, lounges and alike.. The unique feature of this atrium is that this three floor high space is also the central open-air access foyer to each of the office spaces. The atrium roof has huge automated moveable lamellas to filter the desired amount of sun-light. The lamellas will be fully open during the day, allowing also for maximum natural air ventilation of the entrances to the actual office spaces. During the evenings and events in the Club above, the roof will be closed. In doing so it creates a floor space on the terrace above. The long perforated facades of the three office floors provide long views over the city and together with the atrium, ensure the correct lighting in the big open-plan floors. The massive terrace of the SkyGardens Club is elevated 34 m above the surrounding streets, allowing for stunning 360 degrees’ views of picturesque Malta. As the centre focal point of the terrace, SkyGardens has a 45 m long infinity pool, cantilevering over the plaza, stretching entirely undisturbed views towards Manuel Island, Valleta and the new Ta‘Xbiex Marina. The SkyGardens Tower allocates up to 138 spacious and luxurious apartments. All apartments are characterized by high ceilings, elegant and clean modern design, and exorbitantly large terraces. These outdoor spaces provide for unsurpassed experience enjoying the Maltese climate, lifestyle and scenery in the comfort of your own privacy. Full height frameless glass facades provide uninterrupted 360 degrees’ views all over the city, and continuous interior-exterior space relations, while the long cantilevered bal¬conies protect the glass façade from the harsh sun-light. Large parts of the balconies are occupied by dense greenery, which filters and humidifies the air, provides privacy and protects the balconies from the wind. The ambition of creating a state of the art example of high-rise living obliges SkyGardens to be con¬structed and completed following the latest
international construction standards and modern tech¬nologies. This will make the 135-meter-tall tower not only comfortable and safe, it will also ensure that the construction can be considered sustainable and highly energy efficient. Designed by international experts of the highest acclaim, the structure of the buildings is made not only to endure all possible external forces, but provide maximum comfort to its users.
LAYOUT AND DESIGN: ZED CREATIVE MALTA