Gara internazionale primo premio MICAS - Malta International Contemporary Art Space, In San Salvatore Bastion area, Floriana, Malta, Key expert exhibition design, responsabile della prog. architettonica e del progetto dell'allestimento (progetto di fattibilità, definitivo, esecutivo)

The project concerns the realization of the new Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) located at the Ospizio complex in the area of Floriana, Malta. MICAS is part of the renovation of the whole fortress area that aims to be a cultural pole, enhancing its unique identity and attracting artists and tourists all year long. The location chosen for the MICAS galleries is the San Salvatore bastion area in Floriana. The area is rich in historical landscape due to surrounding fortifications and ramparts, which compose the site. The formation of the military architecture in this area offers large, intricate and intimate spaces, which have been little explored. The San Salvatore ditch, also commonly known as “the Ritirata”, has been identified as an ideal area to host the Contemporary Art Space. The design is based on the main idea to overcome the inevitable conflict between the monument – the fortress – and the new structure, housing a contemporary function. For this reason, the design proposes the realization of a monumental roof, that could unify the scattered elements of the site, becoming an iconic element for the new MICAS space. In order to create a dialogue with the old bastion, the roof continues vertically and becomes the main façade. This impressive structure aims to highlight the contemporary character of the intervention, in contrast with the existing monument of the bastion. The peculiarity of this site, an empty space between two bastions, entails great restrictions for the project. In order to respect the existing levels, the building is conceived as a series of terraces between the bastions and covered by a big roofing. All the gallery spaces are oriented towards Barbara Arc, a “window” facing the sea.