Konrad Buhagiar receives the President’s Award for Architecture at the MASP Awards

Art News

Venice 2022

KONRAD BUHAGIAR RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURE AT THE MASP AWARDS FOR 2021

AP Valletta’s executive director and founding partner, Konrad Buhagiar received the President’s Award prize during the 2021 Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning (MASP) Awards Ceremony.

The prestigious award aims to celebrate Buhagiar’s outstanding years of service and achievements related to architecture and spatial planning and his dedication to creating meaningful and timeless architecture in Malta.

“My work is actually the effort of a whole team of architects, engineers, interior architects and historians led by my partner David Felice and myself. It is the product of the coordinated effort of a multitude of skills and the combination of a group of minds working in a synchronised pace”, said Konrad. He also added, “AP Valletta is a large family; there are 50 of us. Nevertheless, we share a common vision which we believe contributes positively to the transformation that the urban fabric of the islands must necessarily undergo.”

The jury commented, “Perit Buhagiar is a well-known and respected professional who has contributed to the education, theory and practice of architecture. Through his work and writings, he is well versed in architectural research and in the promotion and advancement of architecture which has contributed to raising awareness in the built environment. His interest and work in the conservation of buildings were noted, together with his inspirational design capability. His contribution throughout the years is considered to be outstanding.”

Buhagiar has been responsible for numerous restoration and rehabilitation works in historic buildings and urban sites. He has lectured at the University of Malta and, among the others, at the Canterbury University College of Creative Arts, U.K., and the New York University, USA. In addition, he published numerous historical and academic articles. He has been the Chairman of the Heritage Advisory Committee and the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee. Konrad is also the chief editor behind AP’s A Printed Thing and Founding Myths of Architecture.

AP Valletta’s vast portfolio includes prestigious projects such as the Barrakka Lift, Dock No.1, Valletta Waterfront, Kenuna tower, the new St Johns’ Cathedral Museum and Caravaggio Centre, the restoration of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral and the restoration and refurbishment of the Manoel Theatre, which also won the Restoration Award.

The Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning (MASP) Awards are held annually by the Planning Authority and serve to give recognition to architects, interior designers, university students and any person who would have made an outstanding contribution over the years through research, education, theory and practice of architecture and the built environment.

The 2021 MASP Awards Ceremony Night was held 26 February 2022 at Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s.

ABOUT TEATRU MANOEL

Commissioned over 290 years ago by Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena, the ‘Manoel’, as it is affectionately known, is reputed to be the third-oldest working theatre in Europe. In 2014, CNN included Teatru Manoel in the world’s top 15 most spectacular theatres, and it is today one of the significant historic working theatres to visit.

Designed by Romano Carapecchia, Francesco Zerafa and Antonio Azzopardi built the theatre in only ten months by incorporating three houses together. Teatru Manoel is now a Grade 1 Listed building and remains one of the finest examples of baroque architecture. Originally called Teatro Pubblico, it was changed to Teatro Reale (‘Theatre Royal’) in 1812 and renamed Teatru Manoel in 1866.

In the 1800s it went under extensive renovation as it was enlarged and remodelled to modify the auditorium. However, when the Royal Opera House opened, the theatre fell into disrepair and occasionally served as a doss house for the homeless who rented out the stalls for a few pennies a night. It enjoyed a brief revival in the 1900s but was then utilised as a cinema. In 1923, it was the venue for the first public performance of the National Anthem, only to close again during World War II when the theatre served as emergency accommodation for victims of heavy bombardments.

The Manoel is Malta’s national theatre and provides a platform for producers and artists to grow and freely express their creativity through dialogue with a diverse audience that enables mutual cultural enrichment. The Theatre hosts an annual season of concerts, opera, drama, musicals, dance shows as well as an extensive learning and participation programme.