AUM British Building Xarunta Jaamacadda by Edwin Mintoff

Dahab Dhaqanka Hiddaha · 2020

AUM British Building Xarunta Jaamacadda

by Edwin Mintoff

Abaalmarinta Dahabka ah ee A' Design Award 2020 in Dhaqanka Hiddaha
CLIENT: Aum
Estimated Number of Design Views: 42,601
Verification code 54570E2EE4 · Verify this award

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release

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About AUM British Building Xarunta Jaamacadda

Dhismaha AUM British waa xarun jaamacadeed oo laga dhex sameeyay dhisme dhaxal ah oo qarnigii 19aad laga dhisay magaalada Senglea. Dhismahan si xun ayaa loo waxyeeleeyay intii lagu jiray Dagaalkii Labaad ee Adduunka, kadibna waa laga tegey isticmaal la'aan. Qaab-dhismeedka taariikhiga ah si taxaddar leh ayaa dib loogu soo celiyay, dhismahana waxaa dib loo habeeyay si loogu isticmaalo hab casri ah. Xarunta waxaa ku yaal fasallo, sheybaarro, xafiisyo, maktabad, beer gudaha ah iyo maqaaxi u furan dadweynaha. Waxaa la doortay agab casri ah si ay muuqaal ahaan uga duwanaadaan qaab-dhismeedkii asalka ahaa. Adeegyada muuqda iyo biraha xadiidka ah ee lala xiray musmaarrada waxay xasuusinayaan taariikhdii warshadeed ee hore.

About the Abaalmarinta Dahabka ah ee A' Design Award

AUM British Building Xarunta Jaamacadda waa guuleystaha Abaalmarinta Dahabka ah ee A' Design Award, aqoonsi sharaf aad u weyn oo la siiyo naqshado heerka koowaad ah, cajiib ah oo aan caadi ahayn. Guuleystayaasha Dahabka waa hal-abuurro cusub oo aad u badan, aragti fog leh oo si indho-qabsi ah u dhalaalaya, kuwaas oo ka tarjumaya caqli, xikmad iyo xirfadda naqshadeeyayaashooda. AUM British Building Xarunta Jaamacadda waa shaqo la filayo inay noqoto hal-abuur aad loo ammaano, dejisa isbeddello cusub oo weyn, keenta qiimo aan hore loo arag. Naqshadahan ku guuleystay Abaalmarinta Dahabka ah ee A' Design Award waa shaqo cajiib ah oo la ixtiraamo, waxtar weyn leh oo hormarisa xuduudaha farshaxanka, sayniska, naqshadaynta iyo tignoolajiyada. AUM British Building Xarunta Jaamacadda waa shaqo abuurta dareenno xoog leh oo rabitaan ah, kicisa xiiso, dhiirigelisa hal-abuur una soo jiidata.

Press Kit

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.
Image Credits: Photographer: Alan Carville