AUM British Building Campus universitario by Edwin Mintoff

Oro Patrimonio Culturale · 2020

AUM British Building Campus universitario

by Edwin Mintoff

A' Design Award d'Oro 2020 in Patrimonio Culturale
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 Campus universitario

L'AUM British Building è un campus universitario realizzato all'interno di un edificio storico ottocentesco a Senglea. L'edificio subì gravi danni durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale e in seguito cadde in disuso. Il tessuto storico è stato restaurato con cura e la struttura è stata riabilitata per un uso contemporaneo. Il campus ospita aule, laboratori, uffici, una biblioteca, un giardino interno e una caffetteria aperta al pubblico. I materiali contemporanei sono stati scelti in modo da distinguersi visivamente dal tessuto originario. Gli impianti a vista e le travi in acciaio rivettate richiamano il passato industriale.

About the A' Design Award d'Oro

AUM British Building Campus universitario ha vinto l'A' Design Award d'Oro, un riconoscimento immensamente prestigioso conferito a design di primissima qualità, meravigliosi e straordinari. I vincitori d'Oro sono creazioni estremamente innovative, visionarie e di un fascino abbagliante che riflettono il genio, la saggezza e l'abilità dei loro designer. Ci si aspetta che AUM British Building Campus universitario sia un'invenzione molto elogiata, all'avanguardia e monumentale che offre un valore senza precedenti. Questo design vincitore dell'A' Design Award d'Oro è un progetto spettacolare e rispettato che giova grandemente ai confini dell'arte, della scienza, del design e della tecnologia e li fa avanzare. AUM British Building Campus universitario crea intensi sentimenti di desiderio, risveglia la passione, incoraggia la creatività e ci affascina.

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