The destruction of a significant modern architectural buildingADPD – The Green Party Chaiperson Carmel Cacopardo has presented the party’s objection to the proposed development in Saint Julian’s – the demolition of Palazzina Vincenti, to be replaced with a 17-storey hotel.

Palazzina Vincenti is considered as one of the prime examples of modern architecture in Malta.This building, constructed in 1948, is considered a masterpiece of architecture defined by pure geometric volumes. It is valued as one of the earliest examples of the highly-regarded use of reinforced concrete in private residential construction. As explained in various studies undertaken, this early creative use of reinforce concrete permitted Architect Gustavo Romeo Vincenti to use his artistic skills as a result going beyond the limitations which traditional materials imposed.In spite of submissions to the Planning Authority and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage almost two years ago, both failed to take the necessary action for this villa to be protected so much so that now there’s an application for it to be demolished and for a 17-storey hotel to be built instead.Even though Palazzina Vincenti may not be considered so congruent to its modern-day surroundings, it still remains a masterpiece worth preserving for posterity. The lack of action from the relevant authorities indicated that the site was ripe or development.Instead of rubber-stamping the destruction of Palazzina Vincenti, the Planning Authority should immediately grant it the highest level of protection. In the meantime, an emergency conservation order should be issued.Our architectural heritage is not only that which goes back centuries in time. It has also been created much closer in time to today. This is not the first case where significant architecture from the last century was not given its due attention and was lost through carelessness especially by those authorities which are entrusted to protect our heritage!ADPD – The Green Party supports the Saint Julians Local Council, organisations and concerned citizens that have submitted their objections to this destruction. It is only as a result of the determination of all of us that we can adequately protect our heritage.***Qerda ta’ binja ta’ importanza għall-arkitettura modernaPermezz taċ-Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo, ADPD – The Green Party ippreżentat oġġezzjoni għall-iżvilupp propost f’San Ġiljan: it-twaqqiegħ ta’ Palazzina Vincenti meqjus bħala wieħed mill-eżempji ewlenin tal-arkitettura moderna f’Malta u l-kostruzzjoni flokha ta’ lukanda bi 17-il sular.Mibni fl-1948 huwa ikkunsidrat bħala kapolavur ta’ arkitettura msejsa fuq forom ġeometriċi puri. Huwa meqjus wieħed mill-ewwel każijiet ta’ fejn fil-bini residenzjali privat intuża l-konkos rinfurzat b’majestrija. Kif fissru diversi studjużi fil-materja, bis-saħħa t’hekk il-Perit Gustavo Romeo Vincenti seta’ jimrah lilhinn mil-limitazzjonijiet tal-materjali tradizzjonali biex ħoloq dan il-kapolavur.Minkejja t-talbiet imressqa kważi sentejn ilu biex l-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar kif ukoll is-Sovritendenza tal-Wirt Kulturali jieħdu l-passi neċessarji biex din il-villa tiġi protetta jidher li dawn ma ħadu l-ebda azzjoni biex illum ninsabu iffaċċjati b’applikazzjoni ħalli din il-villa titwaqqa’ u minflokha tinbena lukanda ta’ 17-il sular.Għalkemm wieħed jista’ ma japprezzax il-valur ta’ Palazzina Vincenti jekk ma jikkunsidrax il-kuntest kollu tagħha, jibqa’ l-fatt li din tibqa’ binja li hi ta’ min jippreserva. In-nuqqas ta’ l-awtoritajiet li jieħdu azzjoni wassal il-messaġġ li din kienet qegħda hemm lesta għat-twaqqiegħ.Minflok ma tapprova il-qerda ta’ Palazzina Vincenti, l-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar għanda minnufih tagħtiha l-ogħla grad ta’ protezzjoni. Sadanittant għandha tinħareġ ordni ta’ konservazzjoni b’emerġenza.Mhux il-każ li l-wirt arkitettoniku tagħna huwa biss dak li jmur lura sekli sħaħ. Dan mhux l-ewwel eżempju ta’ fejn arkitettura sinifikanti tas-seklu l-ieħor ma ngħatatx l-attenzjoni li xerqilha u spiċċat mitlufa grazzi għat-traskuraġni ta’ xi wħud inkluż awtorijatijet li suppost qegħdin hemm biex iħarsu il-wirt kollu ta’ pajjiżna.ADPD – The Green Party tappoġġja lill-Kunsill ta’ San Ġiljan, għaqdiet u individwi kkonċernati oħra li resqu l-oġġezzjonijiet tagħhom għal din il-qerda. Huwa biss bl-impenn ġenwin tagħna lkoll li nistgħu naslu biex ngħożżu l-wirt ta’ artna.