VAM

Valletta, Malta

Valletta’s covered market had long been neglected, so we set off on a crusade to raise public awareness, and prepared a brief for the design of a public art space in view of Valletta’s upcoming European Capital of Culture title in 2018.

This proposal centred upon the rehabilitation of the main market hall into the VAM’s main gallery space, and the erection of an emblematic upper gallery which in turn shelters the piazza beneath. The restored market hall was re-imagined as a flexible space, able to host artistic, cultural, commercial and social events; while the lower floors would be more akin to the original use, housing the market stalls.

The proposal led to a mixed-media architectural exhibition in spring 2012, causing quite a stir in the local media, prompting government to place the market high on their electoral agenda for the next legislature. While none of the architectural proposals were adopted, in 2015, the market was leased with view to becoming the new food mecca in town, a far cry from a dynamic, cultural space envisioned by the city’s creative community.

In collaboration with Alex Spiteri, Albert Delia, Lisa Gwen, Ivan Muscat.