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AUM British Building Univerzitetni kampus by Edwin Mintoff

AUM British Building Univerzitetni kampus by Edwin Mintoff is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Zlata nagrada A' Design Award in Oblikovanje kulturne dediščine in kulturne industrije Competition Category.


ZlataKulturna dediščina· 2020

AUM British Building Univerzitetni kampus

by Edwin Mintoff

Client: Aum

Zlata nagrada A' Design Award Winner in Kulturna dediščina Category

Colors

The Design

About AUM British Building Univerzitetni kampus

AUM British Building je univerzitetni kampus, ustvarjen v stavbi kulturne dediščine iz 19. stoletja v Sengleji. Stavba je bila med drugo svetovno vojno močno poškodovana in je kasneje ostala neuporabljena. Zgodovinsko tkivo je bilo skrbno restavrirano, konstrukcija pa je bila sanirana za sodobno rabo. Kampus obsega učilnice, laboratorije, pisarne, knjižnico, notranji vrt in kavarno, ki ostaja odprta za javnost. Sodobni materiali so bili izbrani tako, da ostajajo vizualno razpoznavni od prvotnega tkiva. Vidne inštalacije in kovičeni jekleni nosilci spominjajo na industrijsko preteklost.

The Recognition

About the Zlata nagrada A' Design Award

AUM British Building Univerzitetni kampus je prejemnik Zlate nagrade A' Design Award, neizmerno prestižnega priznanja, ki se podeljuje prvovrstnim, čudovitim in izvrstnim oblikovanjem. Prejemniki Zlate nagrade so izjemno inovativne, vizionarske in bleščeče osupljive stvaritve, ki odražajo genij, modrost in mojstrstvo svojih oblikovalcev. Od AUM British Building Univerzitetni kampus se pričakuje, da bo zelo hvaljen, trende postavljajoč in monumentalen izum, ki prinaša brezprecedenčno vrednost. To oblikovanje, nagrajeno z Zlato nagrado A' Design Award, je spektakularno, spoštovano delo, ki v veliki meri koristi in premika meje umetnosti, znanosti, oblikovanja in tehnologije. AUM British Building Univerzitetni kampus ustvarja intenzivna čustva želje, prebuja strast, spodbuja ustvarjalnost in nas prevzame.

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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