Saturday, 27th June 2009 - 21:30CET

Revealed: the new face of Valletta

Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas

City Gate will be replaced by an eight-metre wide breach in the bastions, according to Renzo Piano's new plans for the entrance to Valletta, revealed in a ceremony this evening.

Freedom Square will be replaced by two interconnecting building blocks on stilts which will be Malta's first ever Parliament House. They will have a transparent ground floor housing a modern exhibition of Malta's history and political development.

The Opera House site will become an open air theatre incorporating the old ruins, and the site will also serve as a piazza when there are no performances.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi greeted the designs and said the project should unite all the people in pride for their capital city.

Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said the current generation would hand over a better Valletta to future generations.

Architect Renzo Piano explained his plans, introducing his explanation by saying " I love this island, this city, this street".

He said that before coming up with his plans he had to listen.

"Listening is something very important. It does not mean that you have to be obedient, but people and places have a story to tell, so have stones, and you have to listen to stones," he said.

The project, costing €80 million, is expected to be taken in hand early next year and completed in four years.

CITY GATE - A BREACH IN THE BASTIONS

The designers explained that the plan for the new City Gate - the fifth in Valletta's history - is to give back to the bastion walls their original expression of depth and strength by enhancing the feeling of narrowness while at the same time opening up the view to the perspective of Republic Street. The breach will only be eight metres wide, and the bridge to it will be partly surfaced with wood.

The current street crossing above will be demolished and two large and gently sloped stairs, reminiscent of the dramatic staircases flanking the gate before the creation of Freedom Square, will lead from both St James’ and St John’s Cavaliers down to Republic Street. The fortifications will appear in their full height and strength from the inside, an image that is currently impossible due to the presence of the arcade and shop fronts on Freedom Square.

Gate and ditch shall be connected through a redesigned stair and an exterior, panoramic lift. The car park will be replaced by a garden and promenade, the aim being to make a visit to the ditch "an extraordinary experience" and a venue for events.

PARLIAMENT HOUSE ON FREEDOM SQUARE

The parking lot on Freedom Square is to be replaced by Parliament House consisting of two blocks built on stilts with a transparent ground floor that gives the impression of suspension in the year.

The ground floor will house an interactive Museum of Maltese history and political development. The display will feature the newest means of communication and information, including user activated and interactive screens, large screens for sequential presentations and 360 degree imagery.

The two blocks will be separated by a central courtyard that will form the entrance. The East block will house mainly the chamber and the speaker’s office; the West, all administrative offices for MPs, the Prime Minister, ministers, and the leader of the Opposition.

The Old Railway tunnel (beneath Freedom Square) will be connected to a sunken garden in such a way as to make this otherwise unusable historical subterranean structure amenable for public use while preserving its authenticity and legibility.

The building will feature a system of heat pumps to create a “zero (CO2) emission” building whose energy will be recovered by heat exchange with the underlying rock.

THE OPERA HOUSE SITE

The designers explained that three simple thoughts led them to propose the use the opera site for outdoor performances:

First, the site is too small to contain a Parliament building as was initially envisaged. Secondly, a modern opera, of conventional size, would equally not fit in this place considering today’s requirements for rehearsal, back stage facilities and accessibility, besides generating exorbitant running costs. Thirdly,after more than 60 years of controversy, the ruins of the demolished opera have undeniably reached the status of monument, irrevocable witness of history and the dignity of collective memory.

The project envisages the preservation of all the existing stone work and the reuse of some of the still existing scattered fragments to complete and embellish the ruin. A new, very light skin or façade will define the space, supported by a surrounding alignment of steel masts and columns. These will carry removable walls, lighting systems, acoustic and sound equipment, and shall give the space its specific identity during the staging of performances.

When the theatre is unused, the place will be an open piazza with a shallow stepped seating deck, totally accessible and offering the view towards Castille, to the Churches of Santa Catarina and Our Lady of Victories and Saint James Cavalier.

The translucent wall elements shall be constructed in such a way, that they can enclose the space, but also remain sunken, so that performances can be held in the most extraordinary scenery of some of the city’s best buildings. This “open air opera”, if correctly equipped with the adequate systems of modern communication, light projection and controlled, directive electro-acoustic sound systems, will be very rare in the Mediterranean and offer to many art groups an outstanding place to perform, the designers said.

The capacity will be for about 1,200 spectators.

The designs of the project are on display at the National Museum of Archaeology in Republic Street, Valletta. The exhibition remains open up to the end of July.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/a-project-to-unite-the-people-in-pride-gonzi

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090622/local/renzo-piano-interviewed

The designs are available at:

www.opm.gov.mt/vallettaprojects

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Friday, September 3, 2010. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Carmel Attard(on 6/7/09)

I am a "Belti" true and true, The Latrine Gate we had to put up with for the past 60 years is finally going. How do we build a City Gate without a Gate?? Quite baffeling. I do not want to see Fakes, What BorgOliver decided to Destroy , was Replaced with an insult we never took lightly. But please the Entrance must not be a plain Slab, almost a replica of the Pyramids, but something like the Bastions we have. What is proposed look Dead Flat to me, not even a coat of Arms of the Great De La Valette. The Opera House, can't agree more with Mr.Piano's ideas. The Parliament house, stilts or n stilts, makes no difference to the Politicians, as like other Polies the world over, they always think hey are a big cut above us all!! Back to the Gate ,which stops short of having a gate!! PERHAPS WE SHOULD RENAME IT AS THE 'CITY GAP" . No offence. I have agreed on everything else .. but not on the gate.

Joe Fenech(on 1/7/09)

Piano IS NOT a specialist in urban conversion, but a specialist in building design unlike people like Ricardo Bofill whose work I used as an example in another article.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/the-new-city-gate-and-parliament

OK, Piano's project is fine but we did not get the best man for this job.

Anthony Pace Gouder(on 1/7/09)

Taking CONSIDERATION of the POLL ,on the right hand side, that is nearing the 3,000 mark . A very clear indication is that :-
.
1) A STEADY 41-42% DO NOT APPROVE THE PROJECT .
2) THE VERY LOW PERCENTAGES FOR a ) THE OPEN AIR THEATRE (7.5%)
b) PARLIAMENT HOUSE ( 6% only? )
c) CITY GATE ( THIN-AIR GATE )
3) BARELY ONE THIRD ' LIKE' THE WHOLE PROJECT !

This second attempt , involving this 'word' famous architect , is definately heading to a popular rejection . The SUBSTANCE of this project is actually a NO CONCEPT.

THIS IS A STRANGE ,UNIQUE PROJECT PROPOSING ............. NO GATE , NO REAL ( not reale) OPERA HOUSE , NO ROAD , NO PARKING AREAS, NO TO 60% OF EXISTING BRIDGE ? EVEN A PARLIAMENT WITH 'NO' GROUND FLOOR ! Just think about it
P.S. AND NO SQUARE TOO !

0

Mark Lombardo(on 29/6/09)

Discussion has been going on for 60 years...everyone had the opportunity to make his comments...Piano's designs show a less polluted area, a cultural centre which respects history, a parliament building for a democratic independent island, a new entrance for Valletta, a public garden, direct access from city gate to both sides, a panoramic lift to the ditch...which means also that the Palace will become a dignified accessible cultural site, while St George's Square will be given back to the people..... let's stop this no nonsense and urge Government to start and finish the job! more discussion means only delaying the project and doing nothing! it's about time to move on!

T Vella(on 29/6/09)

3. Oh, one last thing - as for the ruins of the old theatre, I like Piano’s ideas of letting them be and just doing them up with removable panels, because they grace the city - same as the old Colosseum in Rome, but does Piano know how noisy the Maltese can be during the night in summer when they are gleefully celebrating feasts with petards, bell-ringing and marching bands? How can you have an orchestra playing there, or a play with so much noise going on on the other side of the panels?

T Vella(on 29/6/09)

2. What I don’t like however, is having Parliament on stilts. I don’t wish to sound rude, but aren’t the MP’s already above the average citizens? Don’t MP’s need to have their feet solidly on the ground if they are to represent the people? Also, the Maltese are culturally very stable (they believe in the solidity of family, in having secure jobs, in being financially secure, though admittedly today’s young adults are living beyond their means and more and more families are breaking up everyday.) The good old bastions around Valletta & Cottonera are excellent symbols of the Maltese psyche, and, having a Parliament on stilts, not solid at all, is really disconcerting. I would have preferred Piazza Helsien landscaped with shrubs, trees and lovely dancing fountains welcoming people within the city. Piano’s idea is to give the perception of flying – flying MP’s indeed!

T Vella(on 29/6/09)

1. I think Valletta will look like a Neolithic temple once the Piano plans take shape, with upright menhirs as the opening to the capital city. I don’t know if this is genius or basic common sense. Personally I don’t mind having more megaliths on the island, even if in Valletta – Malta has a fixation with limestone anyhow. Piano understood this. Unfortunately, he did not understand that Malta can be suffocatingly hot in summer, and having a narrow bridge will make it worse. Think of what it would be like on a Notte Bianca when the streets of Valletta are claustrophobically packed with people.

Shawn Abela(on 29/6/09)

As some people remarked the gate looks like some prop taken from a film set - something along the lines of - The Mummy revisited. Altough architect Piano's work is highly admirable, I think that the proposal for the City Gate contrasts too much with the old architecture offered by Valletta and to the same extent Portes de bombes. I do like the trand of modern with old yet I am still not convinced of mixing the archaic with straight modern architecture. I believe that for this project to withstand the test of time, we need to look around us and instead of commanding a revolution on city gate, it should be more of an evolution of the classical facades we find in Valletta and closer (portes des bombes). Parliament With regards to parliament and the proposal put forward, the concern of heritage malta should be heeded. Its a bulky structure on thin stilts, which although is great as it adds transparency , it does look cumbersome and will obliterate the gentle sloping hillleading to Castille. I applaud the initiative to improve our capital city yet i suggest we thread with care.

patrick abdilla(on 29/6/09)

dear mr.piano and mr gonzi, are you blind this new conception of architecture doesn't appeal to our old beautiful city. you are going to make our art in the mediterranean into a joke for all the european countries. seriously i am no architect but i could have come with better ideas then those, it makes me feel ashamed that i am maltese.

To see our capital turns into a circus it is better for me to turn blind because those projects makes our city turning from a gentile lady to a slutty city.

thank you mr gonzi for our worst nightmare

patrick abdilla(on 29/6/09)

dear mr.piano and mr gonzi, are you blind this new conception of architecture doesn't appeal to our old beautiful city. you are going to make our art in the mediterranean into a joke for all the european countries. seriously i am no architect but i could have come with better ideas then those, it makes me feel ashamed that i am maltese. To see our capital turns into a circus it is better for me to turn blind because those projects makes our city turning from a gentile lady to a slutty city. thank you mr gonzi for our worst nightmare

patricia mooring(on 26/5/10)

Dear Patrick ABDILLA
Please write me in a e-mail to patriciamooring@hotmail.com

Patrick Farrugia(on 29/6/09)

This idea of City Gate(?) is the same one which this Renzo Piano proposed some 20 years ago i.e. a gateless gate. I cannot understand why we have to ask the same architect whose proposal back then, was rejected by the people, to now come up with the same proposal now slightly altered.
This gateless gate conflicts with the whole idea of a fortified city, it seems that Signor Piano has no idea of what fortifications are.
Do we have to lump a project this project if the people of this nation do not like it? It is about time that the people are consulted on such projects. The government should hold a referendum NOW. The people in parliament are elected to represent the citizens, i.e. to hear what the citizens want and not to do what they (MP's) like.

C FENECH(on 29/6/09)

For the Star Gate fans...this is great. To me it looks like a clash of different cultures.

City Gate reminds me of an entrance to some Egyptian Tomb. Suggest we add the Luqa Obelisk instead of the fountain ! Or....better still transfer the whole builing to the wonderfull pyramid of....no not Giza....PARIS !

The theatre........a ruin by the hands of Mr. Piano but/ and not Mr. Hitler.

The Parliament building I like,but not in that area,

Oh by the way I am no famous architect.....I mean I did not win any of the prestigious prizes (Obviously others have)....but since I will be footing part of the bill.......

Then again seeing the way most of us dress and build our homes......oh Architects included of couse..................

Valletta needs more urgent works. Road are in shambles, pavements.....what pavements? Wires and all the confusion that decorate most of the facades or criss-cross Republic Street.

Just because some soldiers pull out weeds from the fortifications..very once in a blue moon.....it ends up as headlines in our News Papers. I thought that restoration was the order of the day!

Just because it is better than what we have.....does it mean it is right?

A Camileri(on 29/6/09)

@M Borg et all. Correct me if I am wrong. Is it true that Germany offered to reconstruct the theatre and this proposal was shot down by the GWU ?

Andrea Selvaggi(on 29/6/09)

Will the Theatre be limited to use only in good weather? We certainly do not need a new parliament. New parliament? New style of politics?... The funds should be allocated to matters of greater importance such as embellishments of government schools and our public roads. From the Designs it is easy to see that most of the design work was done on the parliament rather then on the theatre. To have the first thing as you enter Valletta be the house of Parliament as the 'main attraction' is ridiculous, just wait till you see all those reserved parking spaces for ministers and the usual media feeding frenzy, whenever there is some hot political topic, welcoming people in Valletta! Are there any thoughts on how the lighting and shadows from the proposed parliament will affect the 'new open theatre'?

An arts museum similar to the louvre in France should go in instead of the parliament or something which the public will benefit from and not politicians. Valletta already does not have the luxury of open spaces so why rape the pjazza with a claustrophobic house of parliament?

Antoine Vella(on 29/6/09)

T.Cassar: "If this is the new face of Valletta then the proposed gate is a mouth with missing teeth. "

Ah, yes. Teeth. is this what you had in mind?

http://image02.webshots.com/2/9/48/33/176894833iKxNjM_ph.jpg

The face would be that of La Vallette of course

Giancarlo Refalo(on 29/6/09)

@ Joe Caruana

Also true. however the party in government today is run by a different person than it was years ago. Nonetheless, this is to be regarded as a national project, not a political one. Had it been the PL in government proposing these very same plans I would have anyway applauded them in putting the country's interests first. Fair enough; this project is not coming cheap. But think, over the years, of the improvement of our capital city. Agreed, tourists will probably not come to Malta just to visit this site, but it will be just one more touch of magic to our country, a fit introduction to Valletta; one less sour point on a tourist's diary.

Corinne Vella(on 29/6/09)

W.Debono: "what the people wanted". Which people, exactly?

M Borg(on 29/6/09)

This is the problem of the Nationalist Party ...

Ok, fair enough to reconstruct the theatre, but is the parliament a priority?

I think the roads are the main priority! Drive through all major arteries in Malta and it feels like you're driving on Jupiter! Whoever rides a bike knows what I am saying, as you'll be on constant watch for potholes.

I may go on writing for an hour but it's useless as i'll be soon back to square one.

First things first, dear.

Roberta Cachia(on 29/6/09)

Sorry to say ta ... imma il- poplu malti kiber f'wisq ksuhat .. ghax taghmel x'taghmel taqlahha xorta minghand uhud!! Vera pajjiz li jajjini nisma certu nies iparlaw ... pjuttost jiddisgustawni! jigri x'jigri jehel il- gvern u ghax jaghmel xi haga, jaraw x'ha jaqalghu ... jew ghax about time li jaghmila ... jew ghax tista tkun ahjar ... basta nmaqdru! Ibqghu sejrin hekk ...! anzi thank god ghadni ma smajt il- hadd iwahhal fil gvern rigward il mewt ta jackson :) ...

Carmel Saliba(on 28/6/09)

Francesco Lapparelli designed Valletta. The city was designed on the grid pattern i.e. all the streets are parallel, they are either horizontal or vertical and all lead to the sea. Thanks to the building regulations applied in that time where the building was controlled to be Valletta as it is today. Uniform building.

Now Renzo Piano is correcting mistakes in modifying Valletta done during the last decades and the destruction of the Opera House built by the British. A note that should be noted is that although the design of the opera house is irregular with the other buildings in Valletta, this pillar design was accepted over the years.

The plans show that Piano is going to do a great job to our city.

Antoine Farrugia(on 28/6/09)

Regarding the plans, I think that the parliament building as proposed as a polital museum groundfloor and parliament above is good but with glasses is too modern for our city. I think that it's place is not on Freedom Square! At Freedom Square I leave an open place with a fountain and something of that sort. Regarding the bridge and City Gate, I would prefer something like the bridge in Rome infront of Castel Sant'Angelo with 8 statues of the Knights who served Malta, L'Isle Adam and La Valette the last two statues before entering City Gate and on each side of city gate 2 statues of Gerolamo Cassar and Francesco Laparelli. The idea of the ditch to be a garden is beautiful or else we can make an inland sea. The buses should not enter at city gate as today but should be stopped either near Victoria Gate or in the first part of the Ditch with a shuttle service to city gate.

I'm not an architect but I'm sure that this should be a MORE beautiful image to our city.

Paul Psaila(on 28/6/09)

Can someone tell us residents living in South Street, Cavalier Street and the Hastings Garden area, are going to enter with our cars while the work is being carried out and once the city gate bridge is taken down. This also applies for fire engines and ambulances and other emergency vechiles.

dusty williams(on 28/6/09)

Qeghdin tghidu li din m'hijiex xi haga politicizzata u minn nahha l'ohra mejtin biex taghtu kreditu lil gonzipn, kif sa hansitra ghamel hu stess dalghodu meta qal li din kienet weghda tal gonzi pn ta qabel l'elezzjoni. Issa la tlestu dan il progett u tifthuh ezatt qabel l'elezzjoni inkunu nafu jekk dan kienx minnu.

Rigward id-disinn, m'hemmx hafna x'tista tghid, nahseb anke student tal arkitettura kapaci johrog b'xi haga ahjar. Din m'hi xejn hlief opportunita ghal gonzipn biex jigbor ftit minn giehu wara d-disfatta li kellu u tistaw tghidu li tridu intom li intom ghomja warajh. Dan ifisser aktar dejn ghalik u ghal uliedek!

carmel zammit(on 28/6/09)

li tikkumenta ghija fija innifissa healthy ghax turi li hawn interees huma xi huma dawn flus il poplu il hazin hi li ma tidihitx soluzjoni magla bejn erba minn nies qishom ser johorgu il flus huma.nahseb li ghadd jinbidlu xi ftit il pjanti biex tiprova togob kemm jista jkun nies u l arrangamenti irridu iz zmien tinsewx x gara fuq l isptar u kemm damm bix tlesta u kemm gie iqum flus izjed.ikrah u sabih dan jindara u listagib immut fuq ommhu.for once lets get this thing right from the start.kelna bizzejjed white elephants.DAN PROGETT MILL POPLU GHAL POPLU.IL KONTOVERSJI HEMM SER JIBQAW

a attard(on 28/6/09)

Has anyone ever estimated how much a replica of Edward Middleton Barry fine Malta Opera house would cost? How about the project being taken over by some NGO and interested parties. The money could be raised through donations with the government giving a generous one. The only challange would be that it will take much longer than 5 years to complete considering all the work involved.

For the rest I truly believe that Mr Piano has done his best to find a balance with the plans as per requisites - recourses available – and the Maltese psyche.

The ultra modern Athens culture centre is costing some €400 million! not sure the area its covering though and if not mistaken it will be paid by private enterprise and donated to government (or the people)

Caroline Buttigieg(on 28/6/09)

All I can say is:
DOWNRIGHT UGLY !!! Huge clash with our Maltese heritage.
Just because it is modern it does not make it acceptable. Ugly.....
(And I'm no labourite)

T Cassar(on 28/6/09)

If this is the new face of Valletta then the proposed gate is a mouth with missing teeth. There are actually two breaches one for the bridge and another for a lift whose main use will be to take you down to a garden. Why does it have to be so asymmetric? What is so exciting about this new gate?

Joe Caruana(on 28/6/09)

@ Giancarlo Refalo
Speaking of track records. May i remind (or inform) you that the present city gate was erected by the government run by the same party we have today. The record will show that the Maltese taxpayer will twice pay for a carnivalesque project.

Douglas A.(on 28/6/09)

Mur gibu kien xi arkitett Malti li ppropona bini ultra modern bil-hgieg etc bhala parlament kif tidhol il-belt kemm konna nghidu li dan ma jaqbilx mal-kumplament tal-estetika tal-belt ecc. U kien ikollna ragun. Imma ghax ghamlu Renzo Piano, jew ahjar ghax se jsir minn gvern tal-PN, kulhadd baqa mistaghgeb u mnixxef bis-sbuhija tal-progett. Bir-rispett kollu lejn Renzo Piano, minbarra li jistona mmens mal-istil tal-bqija tal-bini tal-belt, fih innifsu l-bini tal-parlament li qed jipproponi ma fih xejn x'jghaggbek. L-istess ghal dak li ppropona ghall-opera house. Apparti li ma taghmilx sens li jkun teatru open air, milli rajt mid-disinn se jkun qisu ground tal-football imdawwar bi pjanci twal u gholjin. U li taghmel gnien fid-ditch ta taht bieb il-belt hija idea sabiha imma kellu bzonn jigi Renzo Piano biex tigina f'mohhna naghmlu xihaga bhal din? Bir-rispett kollu imma jew veru tistaghgbu mix-xejn jew tant ghandkom ghamad politiku quddiem ghajnejkom li anka kieku Piano ppropona li ssir landfill flok Pjazza Helsien u scrapyard tal-karozzi flok it-teatru, xorta kontu tghidu kemm hu progett grandjuz u kif bqajtu skantati bis-sbuhija tieghu.

Maria pace(on 28/6/09)

Dear Renzo,

Why all the construction and why all the narrowness - Do you get paid by weight? And where is the element of space? What about conserving the only space there is in Valletta - Freedom Square. Do not suffocate us - we live on an overpopulated highly dense island; never-ending buildings; skyscrapers; an overbuilt coastline; and our capital is very much congested. We cannot even open our car windows on our so-called Coast Road. Please leave us space - we are perpetually choking - Valletta is not a military city anymore. All you needed to do was 'go through the motions' of the whimsy of this failed government. Maybe you do not know this but this Government has given tiny Malta 3.5 billion euros in debt and wants a project like this because he thinks that he will have a project that he can distract the population with. Just build The Royal Opera House (exactly like it was) and leave everything as it was. Modern architecture is a sin. Look what you did to Paris with your 'scaffolding masterpiece' The Pompidou Centre. You have just proved that you are definitely not the man for this particular job.

Rodnick Abdilla(on 28/6/09)

Ara veru hawn minn jistghageb mix xejn. jien mhux nifrah imma nibki, Belt bhall tghana bi storja bhall dik tigi imzebilha bil hadid u imbarazz li ser jintefa fija, iktar gejja qisa xi night club milli belt kapitali bi sortja kbira.

Joseph Mizzi(on 28/6/09)

"Work on the project will begin in 2010, and it will be finished by the end of this legislature. "

At the latest, the next General Elections marking the end of this legislature will be held around May, 2013. The project is going to be built in four years.

January 2010 plus 4 years equals December 2013. I'm neither an architect nor a mathematician, but the numbers don't make sense to me.

It's either the PM's enthusiasm is running away with his imagination, or he's desperate to convince himself that this project will help him win the trust of the electorate come next elections.

Emmanuel Marmara'(on 28/6/09)

Mr.Renzo Piano, with all due respect, contrary to what you said last night, YOU OBEYED and NOT LISTENED. We are very sure that you're more capable to give us a better plan.

Giancarlo Refalo(on 28/6/09)

The beauty of a democratic country like ours is that everyone gets to voice their opinion. Ideally, that would mean that every government decision is put to referendum and the will of the majority is imposed. however, that would be expensive, time consuming and sometimes dangerous. We elected these people into government putting our faith in them to take decisions on our behalf in matters of national importance. And that is exactly what Gonzi has done. In my opinion the plans are excellent. if completed to the high standard promised, I am convinced that the quality of Valletta will be improved. Of course not everyone is going to agree with the plans! that is unrealistic! Criticism is healthy. however, we will only be able to fully criticise the project once it is completed. and the track record of this government with regards to improving the island, is so far quite brilliant. I don't always agree with the government's decisions, and have always voiced my opinion quite strongly regarding certain issues. nonetheless, having worked with tourists for a number of years, I am convinced that this much needed facelift will be well worth the money and the wait. congratulations.

T Abela(on 28/6/09)

Better if you spend time looking at the plans in the exhibition before commenting. I will make an opinion after looking at these plans. I am not saying i will agree with all the proposals but to slam all of it down and finding absolutely nothing right is hard to believe.

Denis A. Darmanin(on 28/6/09)

@Francis Zammit

Enter Valletta from Castille?
Without Pope Pius V Road (above present City Gate), the only available road is throu St. Paul's Street. Considering that all streets that cross it are One Way to right, that Merchant Street is pedestrianised half way up and Republic Street is One Way down, you'll be hearded back to St Elmo or Victoria Gate! I know; I'm one of those who were not mentioned or included in the whole PR show involving the project; a suffering resident!

effie carbonaro(on 28/6/09)

sometimes you wonder if what you are hearing and seeing is true.sometimes you say am i seeing an illusion?because that's what i was thinking on hearing the new plans for the new entrance of Valletta.why should you be greeted with this modern type of buildings when you are entering this great city.why should a space like freedom square be destroyed,why should a street that takes the bulk of traffic entering this city be eliminated and divert this same traffic to create more pressure on the remaining entrances,what this on the opera house,are we creating a play mobile kind of thing.now theater now square.my god those walls integrated inside opera house.how unrealalistic.mr.piano if this is what you are offering us i think you should hear the ideas of the Maltese because they differ very much from yours.Mr gonzi if you don't have the finances to build a more decent city gate and a new opera house don't build this low cost farce

James Farrugia(on 28/6/09)

Good things first - the garden in the ditch is an excellent idea; so is narrowing the bridge to its former width.

Bieb il-Belt -- Well, I'd say it will be better than the obscenity we have currently, but an 'ungated', famous, heavily-fortified city? (Oh I see, perhaps they still want Carnival to make such a well-thought use of City Gate.....)

Parliament -- In Freedom Square? And that sort of large monlothic modernity as you enter, to contrast with that splendid piece of Mintoffian genius infront of it....

Opera House -- Well, I'd rather have ruins than having iron stands rising from the limestone to remind me of the many building sites throughout Malta, because that is exactly how it appears the current model appeares be. I have nothing against open-air theatres, but I have nothing against having a fully fledged theatre in Freedom Square.

It's so utterly boring, yet fascinating reading many comments below, many of which are for the two extremeties -- (1.) He's foreigner so he shouldn't interfere (2.) He's Piano so he can't do anything wrong.

Being a great artist does not render one infallible. ( I sense some Catholic-style indoctrination/mentality.....)

edward bartolo(on 28/6/09)

I think the idea of building an open theatre is not practical at all. In summer it will be too noisy and in winter, it will be too cold and everything dependent on the weather. I am sure, Renzo Piano can create a proper building, with a roof and walls that matches the style of Valletta.

@ Government
Please consider the cost of the project. Is it wise to invest so much money on a theatre, that practically cannot be used? The fact that it is open, will certainly make it a burden for the neighbouring residents.

@ Renzo Piano
Show us your genius and design a masterpiece of a proper building, that can be used all year round without being a burden to the neighbours. I am sure you can do it using Maltese stone.

S vella(on 28/6/09)

Since the malta has now become the country with the most architects and experts, it seems that all of a sudden we maltese have become experts enough to critisize months of research in 5 min. all this critisism came after one took the initiative and none of these so called experts ever submited a plan or an idea before to day. I am still waiting for one of these so called experts to maybe suggest a shrine for Micheal Jackson

martin attard(on 28/6/09)

I'm not going to enter the merit of the plans as put to us by Mr. Piano. I'll leave that to the real experts. When I saw in the plans that both the road on top of the present City Gate and the parking area in the ditch are going to be removed 2 thingscame to my mind a) how are the citizens living in the area of South Street & Old Bakey Street area going to gain access to their homes. How is the circular traffic movement in Valletta going to be mantained? & b) What about the business community? By the removal of Freedom Sqr parking and the ditch more parking space is going to be lost. I'm totally against parking in Freedom Square, but what are the alternatives? People who use Valletta know that usually after 9 or 10 o'clock both the Floriana multi-storey parking & Park & Ride are full up.

marlene pullicino(on 28/6/09)

As regards the building of a new opera house that meets today's necessities ,I humbly float the idea of building it in the Grand Harbour for instance St-Elmo vicinities , with a backdrop that other countries can only dream about. To me the crux of the matter will always be of restricting modern and futuristic architecture to outside city gate ,while restoring what lies within it with the love and loyalty that Citta Umilissima deserves.....

Joe Caruana(on 28/6/09)

This genius has to admit that either last time or this time, he was wrong. As his plans differ completely from those of twenty years ago, am I to believe that his masterpieces only last twenty years.The money spent for his fees could still be paid to him but no work must be started. This way we would be saving money while not further ruining the city.

Nicholas Gatt(on 28/6/09)

All some people know how to do is criticize and moan about everything. Certain names of these blogs are familiar names for criticizing anything this government does. Some were probably on stand by Saturday evening with their negative comment prepared before the project was even unveiled. They know who they are and you can all read them and know which are politically motivated. Others have been moaning about City Gate/Opera Site for 67 years and nothing seems to please them. I say well done Mr. Piano, finally the current awful entrance build by a PN administration will be replaced with something decent but i'm still not happy that those awful block of Social Housing flats on the left by a MLP administration will remain. KNOCK THEM DOWN, GIVE THEM ANOTHER PLACE, PUT A SQUARE THERE SIMILAR TO TRAFALGAR WITH 2 FOUNTAINS AND A STATUE IN THE MIDDLE OF JEAN PARISOT DE LA VALETTE. No time for any more moaning now.. let's finally get it done!!

marlene pullicino(on 28/6/09)

people,let us not politicise this issue,because the very core of our identity and vision for the country is at stake.For the brief he was given, and the budget allocated Piano has come up with a superb surreal design which to his mind gives the PM the houses of parliament he requested and pays tribute to the memory of our splendid opera house. When I asked him why not rebuild the opera house as it was because our vision for malta is as a hub of culture in the mediterranean, he told me that even if we forgot all about parliament building and use all the area available for the opera house,the site is still not large enough to house an opera building which can host the touring operas that perform in other capitals in Europe, and therefore it will be culturally compromised from the outset.I am certainly not an expert in the field of design or architecture ,but I still feel that if the PM is really desperate for new parliament,the outer skeleton of the ruined opera house should be rebuilt and th new chambers housed in the ultra modern interior.City gate should be restored to its oldest version.

B Zammit(on 28/6/09)

Many positives and a few concerns/comments

I was hoping that the ugly government flats would be demolished.
Is the Bank of Valletta building (next to the opera house site going to be demolished (see photo of plan)?
How will cars drive to South Street, Old Bakery Str and that part of Valletta after the existing road on top of City Gate is removed?
Is the City Gate bus terminus going to reallocated?
One side of the the bottom bridge in the ditch is leading to the Yellow Garage. Where is the other side of the bridge leading to?

I can probably get a reply by visiting the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

Kevin Zammit(on 28/6/09)

Each and every time I see the plan for city gate ... I feel like a punch in the pit of my stomach. It is without any doubt the most horrible plan for the city.

The idea for the theatre I like very much, but will wait Callejja's advice (hopefully the gentleman will voice his opinion) on that.

The parliament building ... since the pm is so dead set on this waste of money for more luxurious seats; to keep warm ... does it have to be Valletta? Go somewhere else please Gonzi. Why not B'Kara? It is very central so would make more practical sense.

The repercussions of this plan on the city would probably be quite negative. Reduced traffic flow and parking space, closing up freedom square with a horrible modern plastic building.

I hope we have not paid Piano yet. Without doubt he is a great architect for modern, pragmatic and utilitarian structures started from scratch. But from what I have seen so far the man has a problem marrying his dreams within a context that holds a lot of historical baggage.

Roberta Zarb(on 28/6/09)

Is this why we paid this guy thousands upon thousands from our taxes??? We want the theatre as it was and by we I mean the many many people I have met...but this government cant be bothered to see what our opinion is.......

Mario De Bono(on 28/6/09)

And thank God we will not have that scaffolding seating that used to be erected when our sad excuse for a carnival takes place every year. Carnival in malta is an excercise in very bad taste where we show the world our worst, in contract to the pre war and immediately post war carnivals which were much much more artistic and satirical. I hope it will be relegated to somewhere more fitting now. Xi foss x'imkien.

Albert Gauci Cunningham(on 28/6/09)

I dont know why some people are being so personal and downright rude here!! Last time I checked everyone has the right for an opinion so I'm very sorry Miss Josephine Farriuga I will build no box and I will hide nowhere whether you like it or not!! If you just cant gulp down an opinion different to yours you should really think about moving to a country where only one opinion counts: that of the government!!

Now for more serious things than this angry Josephine......I like the City gate I think its the right choice and definitely much much better than the present "mandra", I have to say that the open air theatre though much better than the present state of affairs is not exactly what many expected but alas I'd have no problem with that either. What I do have a problem with is that Parliament building which I see to be far too big and far too modern. period. Now those who just cant take even a hint of criticism in their stride are welcome to start shooting again!!

Mario De Bono(on 28/6/09)

It seems that we have all become architects here in Malta. Its unbelieveable. The amount of sheer crass ignorance and stupidity shown by some coments on this blog is fantastic. I couldnt believe what I was seeing when Piano did hs presentation. Here was a man who came and saw and listened then drew up this masterpiece. ALL the project has a light airy feel to it. So refreshing and so unstuffy.The buildings themselves invite you in. Come and see what I have to offer, says Valletta through this new entrance. Gone is the collonade built by some anonymous Perit tac-civil. Gone is the parking square and the mess it was in. Gone is the squalidness of the present gate. I would have also taken away the Government flats as well and the whole hideous arcade beneath it, in favour of another landmark building and the connect both Cavaliers, but thats it. This project is a masterclass in art and architecture. Piano did us proud. This man understood what Valletta has to be in the future. A welcoming city with the walls there to keep you in to discover it, to make you feel you want to stay forever.

Ernest Vella(on 28/6/09)

@ Joe Fenech - it is because of people like you don't take decisions that Malta remains back ages in infrastructure...maybe we shall make elections every 10 years so someone can build something not for the elections....for sure no one votes on a city gate....lets be serious

Raymond Huber(on 28/6/09)

Should we laugh? Should we cry? Should we WOW? I think we should do all three! Can’t wait to go and watch the first theater performance and hopefully it will be January or February. It will make me feel I’m living in the Roman era.

Entering Valletta in four years time (?) will definitely not make me feel I’m entering a city build by the Knights as a defense from the enemy but Zulu land.

Valletta belongs to all Maltese and it should be done to the way Maltese expect it to be and hopefully this will not be turned into a political issue. I, once again ask a repeated question by many: if the opera house was not destroyed by the Germans would we today pull it down today? In my opinion the open space entering Valletta should remain open as we need more breathing space and not suffocate and further.

Ray Buttigieg(on 28/6/09)

What nerve some bloggers have to insult a master like Piano. Malta and the Maltese should be proud and honoured by this project. The government should not listen to a few petty minds who will try to discredit this concept of city gate and forge ahead with this project.

Both political parties made huge blunders to this part of Valletta. PN gave us the current city gate in the 60s and the MLP, as it was still called at the time, gave us a block of flats in freedom square. I still remember framed pictures of 'il-Perit' hanging from balcanies in the 70s and 80s. it's now time to give back the space to real artist and a master like Piano to resculpture this part of our city into something amazing, and yes different from what we would expect. Is this not what art is all about, creating the unimaginable, and still having purpose and scope.

Joseph Camilleri(on 28/6/09)

@effie carbonaro: what are you going on about??? freedom square destroyed? what is it used for today? it is permanently occupied by cars and it is one of the ugliest squares i've ever seen in my life! and what bulk of traffic entering into valletta are you speaking about? there is no traffic going through city gate.

Brian Cremona(on 28/6/09)

As our prim minister said...... there's a budget and a time limit.... result.... opera house remains a hole, and city gate becomes one. Shouldn't take much time or money. All that allocated goes for the parliament building.

My opinion.... parliament could have been housed in an existent building, A lovely non expensive garden in freedom square, and the money goes to rebuilding the opera house facade Valletta deserves....

I understand Malta can't afford much luxury and everything has to be done on a budget (which is never kept btw), but frankly having spent God knows how many euros on getting Piano design something which any Maltese architect could have done was not exactly money spent wisely.

Mario Bonnici(on 28/6/09)

I'm totally disappointed. No city gate and no theatre. The only new building is going to be the new parliament!!
Do we really need a new parliament?! isn't it a bloody waste of money?
Why don't we focus our attention on the building of the theatre instead.

C. Schembri(on 28/6/09)

Mr. Piano ... 10/10!!! Beautiful Design!

Antoine Grima(on 28/6/09)

BLA BLA BLA BLA.Believe it when i see it.And if a cost of 80 million has been forecasted it will definately cost 160 million.WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS ??????????????????????

M.Zammit(on 28/6/09)

@ Franco Farrugia...the deficit is about 200 million euros not 30 million :)

Since I will be paying for this project like any other citizen in Malta, I insist that the Government should think and re-think about this project.

There are some positives but the city gate god bless me is horrible. And not to mention the house of parliament in Freedom Square, I really think that Dr.Gonzi wants to eliminate any kind of term related to freedom day.

I wonder where carnival and other cultural events where will be held, it's like removing piazza del Duomo in Milan to build a football ground!

PLEASE BE MATURE GUYS AND REALISTIC!

edwin formosa(on 28/6/09)

POWER STATION .....AIRPORT......TELEPHONE......MATER DEI......VALLETTA......progetti kbar.....minn gvernijiet kbar....ta vizjoni kbira....l-ghira u d-disperazzjoni .....ta mhuh ckejknin.

Keith Galea(on 28/6/09)

Realistically, the new design scheme prioritises the authenticity of the bastion entrance more than all previous post-Laparelli designs. Simple, non-intimidating but very effective. The new parliament house is opportunistic, as it finally gave life back to the visionary concept of the city. No not ultra modern, not baroque, but recalls the design lines of the bastions, their primary matter plus todays’ structural materials. The theatre…maybe a compromise, maybe magic but still respects our culture and history…and surely the budget. Looking forward…yes. Definitely not a time for looking backwords!

Mark Piscopo(on 28/6/09)

I am very disgusted at the horrible designs. Shame one the Prime Minister for spending all our money which we will give you in taxes for these horrible designs .What the people wanted was completely ignored! If we needed an open theater we could have built one in Ta Qali. I'd like to know how we go to this theater in winter? What about the residents will they have to install triple glazing and sound proof their homes? What about the car park because it is proposed the new parliament. Dear Dr Gonzi if this is what you are offering us i think you should hear the ideas of the maltese not ignoring us because they differ very much from yours. This is unexceptable.

Benjamin Pule'(on 28/6/09)

I am simply amazed with these great plans!! Well done Renzo Piano and his team - I hope that he doesn't read these comments on this article because some people are simply too pathetic...Once again: Well done for the designs - now let's make it happen!

Paul Mizzi(on 28/6/09)

Even though i have my reservations in having the parliament right at the entrance of such a majestic city, i realise i can't change PN's determination to finish off this project and have it in their CV once and for all just like EU membership and Euro!

One very sad aspect about this whole project is that once again residents are NEVER mentioned. What will happen to residents above the Burger King area? What will they go through while works are in process? Will they have any compensation should the project consume more time to finish (refer to Mater Dei)?

Also, how will Carnival benefit from this project? Will Carnival be swept away from the City?

The space at City Gate has now become synonimous with some popular events for all the Maltese such as fund raising, blood donation, european youth week etc... will these find access to the new theatre or will they be asked to move anywhere else such as the ditch?

How will parking be tackled?If the ditch is successfully turned into an events area (hopefully not privately run!) then the parking might be restricted further.

Albert Spiteri(on 28/6/09)

Only the Maltese nationalists can boast of having ruined a capital city twice! First when they demolished the old Valletta entrance to replace it with the present disgrace, and now this horrid misnomer for a hell costing millions! Shame on all nationalists past, present and future. May they never rest in peace for the damage they persist on inflicting on this little island.

Peter Borg(on 28/6/09)

I like it.

I hope it gets fast-track quick approval... (like the one for the villa in Bahrija and the armoury in Qormi).

R.Bezzina(on 28/6/09)

The world famous Renzo Piano solved the evergoing dilemma of City Gate by taking it away and not replacing it. Just like replacing your front door with nothing, with a hole. I was imagining something like the Brandenburg Gate but I was terribly mistaken. Piano solved the ever more sad story of the Royal Opera House by maintaining the ruins and then build an amphitheatre inside. He said it was not feasible to build an opera house there. So why instead of building a museum nearby, the Royal Opera House was not rebuilt like it were and instead it would have served as the museum? I guess the Maltese have to put their mind to rest forever and not have the Royal Opera House again. Instead we have to keep talking about the site of the Royal Opera House and not the building itself. Well done, very well done for destroying the capital city and the memories of the Maltese people forever.

Graham Crocker(on 28/6/09)

Do you people have to be so rude and stupid?
Its open for debate, bring out your ideas and opinions on this area rather than what you think about Gonzipn or how women should wear Qonnellas because its tradition or whatever.
I for example think that the gate should have an arch and that the parliamentary building should be revised as it wasn't to my likings. I particularly like what they are going to do with the Opera site.

In any case what was presented was much better than what we have.

Also This is NOT Las Vegas, this is Valletta ... Real things are built here not blasts from the past, but I do understand that there are some backwards thinking people in Malta and in that case Las Vegas is pretty nice place with Fake buildings from the past and you can all go live there with all the other freaks.

George Debono(on 28/6/09)

I am not particularly expert in architecture and so I accept Piano’s design and Piano seems to have done splendid job - for the brief he was given.

However it was a big mistake to go for a cheap compromise on the cultural side with a ridiculous open air thingy whaich can rarely be used as there is so much noise in te summer and it would be out of the question in winter.

By this act of cultural neglect, Malta has been short-changed and robbed of the opportunity of having a National Theatre for good. The idea of an open air theatre in Valetta is about as absurd as an open air parliament – come to think of it, that would have been a super idea!

G

Roderick Peresso(on 28/6/09)

To all those who would like to replicate or copy the old architecture of Valletta in this new project:

What type of architecture wold you like: 1) The Neo-classical Royal opera style (the architectural style that the British used to mark their new territoryrule); 2) Baroque, like version 2 of Auberge de Castille (because GM Pinto had the facade pulled down and re-built since baroque was trendy at his time); or C) Girolamo Cassar's Mannerism (the style that refused the strict rules of the renaissance).

...I would prefer option D) Contemporary minimalist style, because everyone around the world, like our predecessors, used the latest styles and techniques when building something important. Valetta, at the time, was avant garde in its design.

Joseph Caruana(on 28/6/09)

Seems that some(/alot) people are still small and closed minded..

shame on the people who can't see this vision.
they should not - first of all, speak and comment about something that they haven't seen/heard the details of - second of all, such a project, we should be glad that 80M will give us an infinite investment for the early 2000s and beyond.. - thirdly, Valletta's architecture style vary from street to street, corner to corner, building to building - there is a collection ranging from 1600s st john order, to the british, to the 50, 70s, 90s maltese building styles, to modern facades... so what s the fussin??

daniel gauci(on 28/6/09)

kullhadd professur ta l arti sar hawnhekk. Ma nafx kif ma tisthux tikritikaw perit ta' fama internazzjonali li fil pajjizi ta kull fej hadem dejjem qala l prosit u t tifhir, umbaghad jigu xi 4 jafu jiktbu u jaqraw u tmorru tikritikawh. u minn fuq, jghid li hdejn renzo piano, hu qisu michelangelo. iddahqux nies bikhom

Charles J. Buttigieg(on 28/6/09)

I am not very knowledgeable about architecture and probably I should refrain from making a comment more so because of our polarised state, nevertheless I hasten to state that I was not a bit excited by what I saw tonight. Valletta is not just a City and a Capital it’s a walled City and I feel that its entire architecture as well as street furniture has to portray some uniformity. A big hole in the bastion which leads to an ultra modern structure and then followed by the heritage of the Knights of Malta? Dear Sig. Piano, what were you thinking? And you say you love our Capital?

R Gatt(on 28/6/09)

Finally!! Anything will do better that our curent eyesoares of City Gate and the theatre ruins, but these designs should definitely do the city justice. i'm no architect or artist so don't really understand the impact on the surroundings, but an uneducated me like what he saw in the news clip :)

Pity about the politically endused comments belittling Piano's ideas though. Usually stupidity i guess.

Joseph Grima(on 28/6/09)

Imma kif irridu ndahhlu l-politika f'kollox. Nistghu imorru lil'hinn minn hekk.

B'dan il-progetti ser ingawdu ahna l-poplu Malti. Kulhadd jaqbel li l-Belt taghna jixraqilha l-ahjar possibli.

Renzo Piano huwa l-ahajr perit fid-dinja. Huwa unur li f'pajjizna jkollna xoghlijiet ta' dan il-perit.

Jien ghadni irrid nara iktar fid-dettal dak li qed jigi propost. Minn dak illi rajt s'issa dan il-progett huwa magiku. Sabih hafna. Xejn bombastiku imma dinjituz kif jixraq lil belt taghna.

Well done !!

Joe Fenech(on 27/6/09)

Parliament house at the entrance of a city - purely totalitarian style! Renzo.

Completed in 4 years time - before the election!

And wasn't Richard England already asked to do studies for the Valletta gate? What happened to it? Was Richard England paid for this? Could the DOI enlighten us on this?

Robert Galea(on 27/6/09)

Mr/Mrs Busuttil you did not have to point out your political views.
Renzo Piano is a WORLD renowned architect. He has designed projects such as the Centre George Pompidou in Paris, which is a marvel, where other WORLD renowned modern contemporary artists exhibit their work. He has designed the Kansai International Airport Terminal in Japan, which is one of Asia's busiest airports. The Airport itself is built on an artificial island and cost billions of dollars to construct. The terminal is jaw-dropping. It is the longest airport terminal in the world, at a total length of 1.7 km from end to end. It has a sophisticated people mover system, which moves passengers from one end of the pier to the other. The terminal roof is shaped like an airfoil, and is considered to be an architectural masterpiece.
He has been involved in a countless amount of projects all over the world, one more astounding then the other.
So before you compare yourself to the likes of Michelangelo, I suggest you learn who he his in the first place.

Ian Bugeja(on 27/6/09)

Finally a gate which reflects our fortified city. Suites much more than the current and previous royal gate. Lets hope that this project gets started and gets completed in time.

T Cassar(on 27/6/09)

I agree with Nicholas Gatt, demolish the flats on the left hand side for a large square with the cavaliers visible on each side and across the square the Social Security building and Opera house built as it was when bombed with modern elements as was done on The Mall building in Floriana. The parliament can be relocated to any other unused building that can accomodate it. As for the gate, might as well leave it as is, Piano's previous breach was more impressive and discarded.

Christine Gauci(on 27/6/09)

Irony of ironies. What City Gate project, without an actual Gate? Will someone out there actually produce a Majestic City Gate? What about the time old concept of 'Putirjal'? How sad. 2009 is the year of Creativity and Innovation but I'm sure it does not include VANISHING GATES. I cannot concieve Valletta, built on the principles of fortifications, without its main gate. Even if it is just a symbolic gate.

Jeff Inguanez(on 27/6/09)

A confident Prime Minister who has the right vision for Malta:
a forward-looking country that is open to opportunities
and that gets these projects done -
projects that are a symbol of what our country needs to be.

Well done Renzo Piano for the designs and
for explaining (to those who never want to listen)
so elegantly and so succinctly
why an opera house would be a useless fake and
why a parliament would be much better than
the car park we now have in Freedom Square.

I watched on television and I felt proud.

Francis Zammit(on 27/6/09)

Oh stop whining everyone!! We've been at it for the past 60 years and we haven't agreed on a single idea yet. Does anyone think we are going to agree now? I say, hats off to the authorities for taking the bull by the horns and let's get on with it! Those who don't like the proposed entrance can enter Valletta through Castille. That should keep everyone happy!

Joe Xuereb(on 27/6/09)

@ C. Busutill

There is no room in a democracy to treat any political party, either the way I see things, or give me what I want, even it is not due to me, or I will vote for the opposing political party.

The time has come to be politically mature and not be held to ransoms and knows better then hold some one to political ransom or by Political violence.

If you do not like whatever a political party is doing, go and exercise your democratic right the way you feel fit to, but do not use it to hold any one to ransom.

Shame on you, and on to those who think like you and act like you.

C.Formosa(on 27/6/09)

Exciting plans.Well done.
@Josephine Farrugia, I'll second your opinion.

M MUSCAT(on 27/6/09)

IL-BIEB TAL BELT KAPITALI MINNGHAJR BIEB. DIK DAHLA TAL-BELT KAPITALI!

FLOK INKABBRU IL-PONT SE JICKIEN.

L-UNIKU PAJJIZ MHUX FL-EWROPA IMMA FID-DINJA LI MA GHANDNIEX TEJATRU SURIET IN-NIES.

MOHNA FIL-PARLAMENT, GHAX MA GHAMLUHX FIL-FORTI TA SANTIRMU MELA KIF TIDHOL GO BELT, SE JIRROVINAW PJAZZA.

ISSA LI L-PARKING SPICCA MINN PJAZZA SAN GORG U SE JISPICCA MINN PJAZZA HELSIEN FEJN SE JIPPARKJA L-POPLU LI JHALLAS IT-TAXXI U GHANDU DRITT JIPPARKJA DAQS IL-MINISTRI U L-MEMBRI PARLAMENTARI U NIES GHOLJA TAC-CIVIL?

effie carbonaro(on 27/6/09)

@joe vella.shame on you mr vella.we are commenting on the exhibits that we have just seen and they were more presentable than a lot of cartons you will be seeing in this exhibition.they were more detailed because they were backed by a speech by mr piano and he gave us what we will be expecting from this project.so please don't shame the integrity of the persons who are commenting in this issue.

effie carbonaro(on 27/6/09)

sometimes you wonder if what you are hearing and seeing is true.sometimes you say am i seeing an illusion?because thats what i was thinking on hearing the new plans for the new entrance of valletta.why should you be greeted with this modern type of buildings when you are entering this great city.why should a space like freedom square be destroyed,why should a street that takes the bulk of traffic entering this city be eliminated and divert this same traffic to create more pressure on the remaining entrances,what this on the opera house,are we creating a playmobile kind of thing.now theatre now square.my god those walls integrated inside opera house.how unrealalistic.mr.piano if this is what you are offering us i tkink you shoud hear the ideas of the maltese because they differ very much from yours.mr gonzi if you dont have the finances to build a more decent city gate and a new opera house dont build this low cost farce

Joe Vella(on 27/6/09)

@ A. Gauci Cunningham

And i guess the building opposed to the proposed parliament building match that of Valletta's architecture.

My whole point is cannot understand how one can comment before having actually the opportunity to actually go see the exhibit of what is being proposed.

Shame on you all.

Joe Cassar(on 27/6/09)

So the famous Piano design boils down to a hole-in-the-wall instead of a gate and an Opera House site that will look like a permanent construction site all year long.

Naturally, those who think that the Gov can do no wrong will rush to say they love it. But what will they say in their heart of hearts?

Franco Farrugia(on 27/6/09)

Whooooooooooooooooooo is going to finance this project? The last time I looked, the country has a deficit of 30 million euros!

C.Busuttil(on 27/6/09)

@Elizabeth Camilleri

If this is art, I am Michelangelo compared to Mr. Piano, Its an insult to art and architecture. Mr. Piano must really hate Malta all his projects seems to have one goal to ruin our capital city. Valletta was built in the 16th century it should not be ruined like Sliema which was ONCE the most beautiful place on this island only to be ruined by modern buildings.

Mr. Gonzi one piece of advice just try to make these projects and forget my vote, not only you can forget my vote but the first time in generations a member of my family will vote labour. I can't permit that you and Austin Gatt to ruin forver Valletta.

If you really needed a famous architect to pratically come out with nothing you could have call any maltese citizen because even the most stupid would have done better.

PS - Ara ma jigix x'hadd u jghidli li ma nifhimx fl-arti moderna jekk din arti jien Michelangelo, Picasso u Da Vinci f'daqqa.
Miskin Renzo Piano ma kienx jaf kif ha jaghmel bieb xieraq allura ddecieda li ma jaghmilx bieb, trid tkun xi genju biex taghmel hekk. Halluna tridx

Nicholas Gatt(on 27/6/09)

There is something which nobody is mentioning. The Mintoff block of social housing flats on the left is going to be facing such an important national institution like Parliament. A project like that and we don't think of these things. It really doesn't suit our capital city entrance on the left hand side. I would have knocked them down and giving these residents another location. Instead of the flats I would have made a square in this place similar to Trafalgar Square in London. A square for just people to enjoy, with no cafeteria and other commercial outlets. What do you all think?

Kurt Vella Fonde(on 27/6/09)

Simply fantastic, magnificent. Well Done Mr. Piano. I really hope that the project starts as soon as possible and not get mixed up in politics or bureaucratic nonsense. Let's for once all together do something and be proud of it. I suggest that you people commenting against such a project just get aside and if you want to comment against first visit the exhibition!!! Mr. Gauci Cunningham et al maybe with your genius ideas as always you might provide us with better designs!!!

S Grima(on 27/6/09)

If we wanted an open theatre we could have built one in Ta Qali. I'd like to know how we go to this theatre in winter,do we wear ski clothes?. What about the residents, will they have to install triple glazing and sound proof their homes. Will the Government be making funds available to those people,because surely very few if any would want to be assaulted by orchestra's or rock groups or Shakespeare every night,even if they loved all three?.

Time for a rethink?..I think so. Time to go out in the streets?..def.

Edwin Cachia(on 27/6/09)

Wow !!! i wasn't expected this much.

Thanks to the Prime Minister which has a vision not only for Valletta but for our country. Dr. Gonzi your making us proud.

Thanks to Austin Gatt, I am one who normally critisize Minister Gatt, but I listened his speech and he really knows what he is doing. Belti ta' veru !

Prosit lil kull min qed jahdem fuqha, ahdma ha narawha titwettaq.

I'll visit the exhibition tomorrow !

Frans Sammut(on 27/6/09)

Are we supposed to be impressed?

Joseph Saliba(on 27/6/09)

Well done Renzo Piano! Thanks Prime Minister and Austin Gatt. You're giving Valletta its dignity back!!

Carmen Mangion(on 27/6/09)

Bla kliem !!! Jien stennejt xi haga kbira imma mhux daqsekk. Veru prosit ! Nispera li jitwettaq kemm jista jkun malajr.

X'differenza minn carpark tilqek kif tidhol il-belt. Anzi jien kont nara x'naghmel bic-citygate arcade u l-flats.

Jien ma nafx kif tista tikteb kontra dak li qed jigi propost, imma nsomma minn l-istess erba minn nies ma tippretendix ahjar !

Josephine Farrugia(on 27/6/09)

@A.Gauci Cunningham

Come off it why don't you. A few weeks ago everyone cried wolf at the prospect of ultra-modern steel and glass structures and now that Renzo Piano has tried to incorporate as much stone as possible we're still hearing the same litany of half-baked opinions.

Here's an opinion: build a stone box and hide in it.

Hector Mamo(on 27/6/09)

Illum gurnata specjali ghalina l-maltin u l-beltin. Fl-ahhar ser naraw lill-belt kapitali taghna moghtija d-dinjita li jixirqilha.

Minflok dik il-kruha li ghandna fid-dahla tal-belt illum ser ikollna gojjel. Prosit lil renzo piano u lill-gvern talli ha l-inizjattiva biex dak li ilna niddiskutu 60 sena ser narah isir realta.

Kburi illi fid-dahla tal-belt ser ikollna l-monument tad-demokrazzija li anke kif jixhed il-bini stess ser ikun jirrifletti dak li verament ghandu jkun il-parlament. Post dawk li jigu rraprezentanti !!!

Il-Parlament fid-dahla tal-Belt u l-Opera House ser jaghti dehra kompletament ahjar.

Mary Bonello(on 27/6/09)

@Mark Grima

The reshaping of three landmarks of this calibre will certainly come at a bargain if the 80 million euro benchmark is kept. If you can find cheaper, why not enrol as the turnkey contractor???!

Godwin Cassar(on 27/6/09)

All I can say at this point is WOW! Even from the outset the project appears to be well-researched so that it can preserve our history and heritage.

I've personally been keeping a keen eye on the Opera House site. I'm extremely happy that the ruins will be retains as a living monument of what we went through as a nation, and even more happy that we can utilise them in a professional manner.

Thanks Piano!

Elizabeth Camilleri(on 27/6/09)

As I expected...this is marvellous. What can you expect from Renzo Piano. These are not only design but a piece of art.

I really liked the opera house concept. It would be unique.

I cannot wait to go and see the exhibition

George Bugeja(on 27/6/09)

He promised something magical and that's what he's delivered. I love it.

Carmelo Dalli(on 27/6/09)

Bqajt impressjonat b'dak li qed jigi propost. Id-dahla tal-belt ser tkun denja ta' belt maestuza.

Din hija holma. Ejja ha narawha titwettaq.

Nicholas Gatt(on 27/6/09)

I don't agree with previous comments. Politics apart, I actually like Mr. Piano's designs and concepts. I just hope that the prime minister does not rush it just to finish it before the next election. Let's start it and let's finish it in the most reasonable time allocation needed. Let us learn from previous projects which were rushed. Well done Mr. Piano, i'm sure that those who disagree with your plans on papers now, will change their opinion when the project is completed. Whatever the case, let's get rid of what currently exists on this most previous site for the Maltese Islands.

Pierre J Agius(on 27/6/09)

Magnificent! Breathtaking! Now that is leading edge architecture.

A.Gauci Cunningham(on 27/6/09)

Woow a very new face indeed!! How many times do people have to repeat the same thing over and again that ultra modern designs similar to that being proposed as the parliament building which would look very much like a new "Gallarija shopping complex" or a "Baystreet" right at the entrance of valletta dont match with Valletta's architecture. but as some would say we're all stupid semi-illiterate mortals and in this country only foreign architectures and certain people have the right to give a learned experience the rest should just shut up and put up with it!!!

Mark Grima(on 27/6/09)

what a shame!! did we need this so called genius for such horrible designs - i, without any designs' knowledge could do much better

cheap stuff - we deserve better

W. Debono(on 27/6/09)

I am disgusted and appalled at the horrible designs. What the people wanted was completely ignored!

I honestly hope this project never gets started! I prefer the current state of Valletta, this design simply does not fit in with our heritage!!!

Revealed: the new face of Valletta

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