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AUM British Building Campus Universitário by Edwin Mintoff

AUM British Building Campus Universitário by Edwin Mintoff is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award de Ouro in Design de Património Cultural e Indústria Cultural Competition Category.


OuroPatrimónio Cultural· 2020

AUM British Building Campus Universitário

by Edwin Mintoff

Client: Aum

A' Design Award de Ouro Winner in Património Cultural Category

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The Design

About AUM British Building Campus Universitário

O AUM British Building é um campus universitário criado no interior de um edifício patrimonial do século XIX, em Senglea. O edifício foi gravemente danificado durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial e, mais tarde, caiu em desuso. O tecido histórico foi restaurado com cuidado e a estrutura foi reabilitada para uso contemporâneo. O campus integra salas de aula, laboratórios, gabinetes, uma biblioteca, um jardim interior e uma cafetaria que permanece aberta ao público. Foram escolhidos materiais contemporâneos que se distinguem visualmente do tecido original. As instalações técnicas à vista e as vigas de aço rebitadas evocam o passado industrial.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Ouro

AUM British Building Campus Universitário conquistou o A' Design Award de Ouro, um reconhecimento imensamente prestigiado atribuído a designs de primeira linha, maravilhosos e notáveis. Os vencedores do Ouro são criações extremamente inovadoras, visionárias e glamorosamente deslumbrantes, que refletem o prodígio, a sabedoria e a proeza dos seus designers. Espera-se que AUM British Building Campus Universitário seja uma invenção muito elogiada, pioneira e monumental, que oferece um valor sem precedentes. Este design vencedor do A' Design Award de Ouro é um projeto espetacular e respeitado, que beneficia muito e faz avançar as fronteiras da arte, da ciência, do design e da tecnologia. AUM British Building Campus Universitário cria sentimentos intensos de desejo, evoca paixão, incentiva a criatividade e fascina-nos.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
This 19th century building was severely damaged during WWII and later fell into disuse. Through EM Architects' design interventions, the building was brought back to life with a renewed purpose to serve Senglea in a new way. As well as restoring the historic fabric in a meticulous fashion, the overall building was also rehabilitated in order to usher the building into the current age whilst at the same time managing to showcase its stunning historic elements. The guiding principle behind this project remained the act of showcasing this heritage building as a protagonist of design.
Dimensions & Packaging
Building is 19.6 high, 194m wide, 15.6m deep
Tags
Restoration, rehabiliation, heritage, industrial, university
Production Technology
Contemporary materials were chosen purposely so as to be visually distinguishable from the original historic fabric. This distinction is essential in order to delineate the contemporary interventions within the important timeline of this building. At its inception, this building was born out of golden Globigerina Limestone and raw steel elements, showcasing the fusion between the British Neo-Classical style and local quarried materials.
Design Challenge
The main challenge of this project presented itself in the form of an existing dilapidated building, whereby its extensive character and value had been left to decay. The means by which this challenge was overcome was by successfully ushering this building into the contemporary age whilst also preserving and highlighting its original character. New volumes had to be created within and onto the existing historical fabric which was no small challenge.
Research
Our design began with analyzing the past history and also current situation of the area, to ensure that the restoration of such buildings would also serve to accelerate the urban regeneration of the entire area. Various historical documents, for example the text "The Malta Grand Harbour and Its Dockyard" by Bonnici and Cassar and drawings were analysed, including maps dating back to the 1840s.
Inspiration
The building's rich industrial past served as the main source of inspiration which informed the majority of design decisions taken throughout the design process. This was reflected in the intentionally exposed services of the building. The selection of raw materials and the choice to retain original structural elements, such as the voltini ceilings and the exposed riveted steel beams, emphasised this industrial feel. Another integral factor which shaped the restoration and rehabilitation of this historic building was the harnessing of sustainable initiatives in various forms.
Project Duration
Works at Triq Dom Mintoff, Bormla, commenced in November 2016 and were completed by March 2019.
Operation Flow
Our design incorporated the creation of 13 classrooms, 4 laboratories, 1 cafeteria, 1 library, 18 offices, 1 internal garden and 2 receptions, through minor alterations and the construction of additional floors. The cafeteria, which ensures that part of the building remains accessible to the public, also houses the restored original machinery of the building, thus incorporating these historical elements seamlessly within the new contemporary designs.
Team Members
Edwin Mintoff
Pietro Di Raimondo
Mario Scicluna
Image Credits
Photographer: Alan Carville

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