in collaboration with elena britanishskaya, the architect svetozar andreev, proposes to transform malta‘s collapsed ‘azure window’ into a steel exhibition space. tieqa żerqa, more popularly known as the azure window, was an icon of the maltese islands, however, following a storm in march of 2017, the arch collapsed into the sea. the ‘heart of malta’ project plans to create a new visual landmark by creating a polygonal architectural form with mirrored steel faces, which will blend into the landscape and have the same size and proportions as the original limestone arch.
all images and video © svetozar andreev
the proposal by andreev and britanishskaya envisions a new form comprising of over 5,000 square meters of exhibition space laid out over five spiral floors, with a dynamic laser show in which each spiral step represents one thousand years of maltese history. the proposal has been submitted to the maltese authorities and andreev describes the project as ‘a perfect monument and symbol of the fusion of modernity and nature, of time and history, and a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit.’
the ‘heart of malta’ project aims to create a new architectural and cultural landmark to draw tourists to this area of malta. the grand mirrored steel form intends to represent an outstanding investment for the future of malta and gozo. for the project, the architect proposes to make use of the latest techniques and materials available in architecture and shipbuilding to reflect the environment of dwejra, which will enable the project to be brought to reality while preserving the existing natural coastal landscape.
project info:
project name: ‘the heart of malta project’
architecture and interior design: svetozar andreev, in collaboration with elena britanishskaya
location: dwejra, san lowrenz, gozo, malta
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lynne myers | designboom
architecture in malta (7 articles)
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Wow….. Ummmmm… Like, NO. This is wrong on many different levels. This area is a natural reserve. Construction and increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic will damage the area and make it unsightly. This poses a threat to the natural coast line and the construction will damage the area beyond repair. I like the idea of a “gallery”… Just choose to build it elsewhere…. There plenty of space othe islands. Just servicing this area would be an atrociously damaging act. NO, NO, and NO.
You cannot extend the rock of nature into a man-made structure in such a way that it appears to be growing out of the rock. It just does not work. You can build on the land as has been done for centuries, but you cannot ape nature. This result looks incongruous and a blot on the landscape.
uuuuum … No.
Actually after watching the video I think it is a horrible project, just completely out of place and not actually a fully developed concept. It has the design maturity of a student project.
Looks beautiful. A friendly amendment would be to change reflective (mirror like) glass with diffusely reflecting glass, incorporating PV (similar in appearance to Tesla solar roof tiles). That would be more faithful to the original, while preserving new functionality and be powered by renewable energy.