12
Available options
Guided Tour
Visit the Frank Portelli Archives at La Serenissima
17:00 -> 18:00
12
Available options
Guided Tour
Frank Portelli Archives at La Serenissima
La Serenissima stands as one of the 20th century late modernist icons — a private residence designed and inhabited by the artist Frank Portelli, and now occupied by his granddaughter, Tamara Fenech. Portelli’s studio, perched on the upper floor was a space where the line between living and working blurred. This guided tour invites visitors into a creative haven where architecture, memory, and artistic production converge. It is an opportunity to engage with Portelli’s enduring presence — not as a figure to be memorialised, but as one whose legacy continues to animate and question the spaces we inhabit.
17:00 -> 18:00
13
Local
A Collective
Established in 2014, A Collective is a young architecture studio that claims a focus on innovation and creativity. Their practice centres on re-evaluating architectural fundamentals—space, proportion, light, and materiality—through a lens that prioritises design quality and user experience. For the festival, the studio will present a selection of their recent projects, framed around themes of reusability and adaptive design within the specific context of the Maltese Islands. Their contribution offers an opportunity to reflect on how emerging practices are grappling with the tensions between aesthetic aspiration, environmental responsibility, and the pragmatic constraints of practice in a tightly regulated and historically layered local environment.
18:30 -> 19:00
Local
AP Valletta
Founded in 1991, AP Valletta is a multidisciplinary architectural practice recognised for its sustained engagement with heritage, urbanism, and research-driven design. With a portfolio rooted in the complexities of Valletta’s historic fabric, the studio approaches architecture as an active generator of lived experience. Their work reflects a continued ambition to merge past wisdom with contemporary innovation, embracing challenges through adaptive thinking and contextual sensitivity. At the upcoming festival, AP Valletta will showcase a selection of projects that encapsulate their design philosophy—where architecture is a tool for shaping, not just situating, real life in all its forms.
19:00 -> 19:30
Local
3DM Architecture
Local Studio 3DM Architecture is a forward-thinking practice specialising in a wide range of projects related to architectural and interior design, as well as graphic design. They approach each project with the utmost care and attention, drawing inspiration from various sources and combining their creativity, knowledge, and experience throughout every stage of the process. At Ħaġra Festival, they will be showcasing a selection of their projects focused on reuse within the local context. These works highlight compelling examples of how we can adapt our architectural heritage - preserving its value while reimagining it for the future.
19:45 -> 20:15
Roundtable Discussion
The Challenges of a Practicing Architect in Malta
What does it truly mean to be an architect in Malta today? Behind the execution of a built design lies a complex, often unseen reality—one shaped by mounting challenges and contradictory expectations. In this feature, we delve beyond the surface, speaking to local architects and clients to uncover the real issues they face. As overdevelopment continues to sprawl unchecked and, land becomes an ever-dwindling resource, the question is no longer if we should rethink space—but how. Architects find themselves at a crossroads, forced to reconcile the rising cost of construction materials, rigid Planning Authority policies, and the urgent need to protect Malta’s cultural fabric, all while advocating for architecture that speaks to a more sustainable and resilient future.
20:15 -> 21:15
14
Local
Malta Modernista
The launch of Malta Modernista addresses the ongoing neglect of modernist architecture on the islands. Often overlooked by both the public and authorities, these buildings are undervalued, their cultural and architectural significance largely ignored. This disregard, compounded by a profound lack of institutional awareness, has allowed vital modernist structures—spanning from the 1930s to the 1970s—to fall into disrepair and risk demolition. Malta’s modernist period, emerging later than in mainland Europe, remains woefully under-documented and misunderstood, placing it in danger of erasure. This movement is a call to action for architects and the public to recognize and protect this crucial part of our architectural legacy. Without urgent intervention, we risk losing a significant piece of Malta’s cultural heritage.
18:30 -> 19:00
Local
Valentino Architects & Tamara Fenech
Valentino Architects, in collaboration with Tamara Fenech, will present their restoration project of La Serenissima, a mid-20th-century modernist house originally designed by artist Frank Portelli. In this presentation, the architect and client will explore both the conceptual and technical challenges involved in reimagining this modernist gem. Given Malta’s neglect of its modernist heritage, this case study serves not only as a testament to the potential of such buildings but also as a reflection on how thoughtful renovations can reintegrate them into contemporary life while preserving their architectural significance.
19:00 -> 19:30
Roundtable Discussion
Repurpose vs Demolition
Far too often, property owners bypass the opportunity to repurpose existing structures, opting instead for demolition to make way for new developments—yet, at what cost? This prevailing mindset not only erases invaluable historical and cultural legacies but also inflicts profound environmental and social harm. The act of demolition generates staggering amounts of waste, disrupts local communities, and exacerbates carbon emissions, all under the banner of progress. In contrast, adaptive reuse offers a far more responsible alternative, enabling a reduction in environmental impact while preserving the architectural fabric that gives cities their unique identity. Architects, tasked with the challenge of innovation, must look beyond the familiar blueprint to transform old structures into functional, sustainable spaces—protecting the island’s character while forging a path toward a more conscientious future.
19:45 -> 20:45
15
Local
Revisiting Regionalism in the Mediterranean
Critical regionalism was a term promoted by the architectural historian and theorist Kenneth Frampton and was interpreted as an alternative approach to International Style modernism. It seeks to provide an alternative, a new architectural paradigm that would resist a homogenizing universal architectural language that had devalued the currency of cultural context and tradition. This presentation will be based on a number of case studies of regionalist architecture from the Mediterranean region during the past four decades. Case studies will include works in Malta by Richard England and Hans Munk Hansen, and other architects such as Atelier 64, Gio Ponti, Francesco Venezia, Aris Konstantinidis, Nikols Valsamakis, within the Mediterranean region. The short presention seeks to reflect upon the relevance of pursuing regionalist-inspired architectural design that tempers modern architecture to the specific local cultural context, sense of place, and identity.
18:30 -> 19:00
Local
Richard England
19:00 -> 19:30
Local
Ian Ritchie presents the Renovation of the Brewhouse
The Brewhouse is a landmark project in the restoration and conversion of Farsons' iconic Art Deco building in Mrieħel. Presented by Architect Ian Ritchie, this ambitious rehabilitation not only preserves but reimagines Malta’s industrial heritage, setting a precedent for future adaptive reuse. Guided by Farsons’ values and vision, the design philosophy emphasises a sensitive approach, ensuring the retention of the building's distinctive aesthetic qualities and integrating it harmoniously with its surrounding environment. The project embodies a forward-thinking vision of repurposing iconic structures, breathing new life into them while respecting their historical significance.
19:45 -> 20:30
Roundtable Discussion
Refocusing on Regionalism
Regionalism, at its core, is a response to place—an architectural ethos rooted in identity, culture, and climate. Yet in a time when global homogenisation threatens to erase local heritage, the Mediterranean risks becoming a canvas of architectural sameness under the guise of cohesion. Instead of diluting design through a one-size-fits-all approach, we should be amplifying regional distinctions. True architectural integrity lies in designs that are deeply responsive to their site—sensitive to heritage, shaped by climate, and informed by tradition. Celebrating these contextual layers doesn’t just preserve the past; it redefines sustainability as something cultural as much as environmental.
20:30 -> 21:30
16
Guided Tour
Halmann Vella Factory
13:30 -> 14:30
Local
The Myth of Abundance/Water is Heritage
The Myth of Abundance / Water is Heritage documents the evolution of Malta’s water infrastructure, exposing the socio-environmental costs and systemic challenges tied to water as a resource — and its enduring scarcity. Despite being surrounded by sea, the Maltese archipelago has grappled with the lack of natural freshwater, a condition dictated by its limestone terrain of jagged coastlines, and arid valleys. The land resists absorption, and thus, water collection has historically relied on human intervention; the aqueducts, man-made reservoirs, and desalination introduced in the 1980s. A persistent illusion of abundance continues to shape public perception — a myth reinforced by the ever-present surrounding sea. This false sense of security has fuelled the commodification of the marine environment while side-lining efforts toward freshwater conservation. By reimagining water as part of our cultural heritage, the research seeks to trace its historical evolution and advocate for sustainable strategies to safeguard this increasingly fragile resource.
17:00 -> 17:30
Palestine
Elias and Yousef Anastas
AAU Anastas
Elias Anastas, co-founder of the Bethlehem-based practice SCALES and design collective Local Industries, brings a radical material curiosity to this year’s Ħaġra Festival. Trained in Paris and rooted in Palestine, Anastas’s work explores the intersections between architecture, craft, and local production. From the Venice Biennale’s All Purpose installation to the experimental Stonematters research, his projects question conventional hierarchies of scale and material. At Ħaġra, Anastas will speak about his firm’s ongoing investigation into stone technology—a dialogue between tradition and innovation that repositions stone not as relic, but as a dynamic material for contemporary design.
17:30 -> 18:30
Morocco
Driss Kettani
Driss Kettani Architecte
A graduate of the National School of Architecture in Rabat (2003), Driss Kettani established his practice in 2005, quickly emerging as a key voice in contemporary Moroccan architecture. Widely published and exhibited, Kettani’s work has received numerous honours affirming his position as a leading figure in shaping Morocco’s architectural future. At the Ħaġra Festival, Driss Kettani will present a selection of works that reflect a thoughtful engagement with place, cultural memory, and the everyday where his architecture strikes a careful balance between clarity and complexity, drawing from tradition in a way that feels grounded.
18:45 -> 19:45
Roundtable Discussion
Loss of Heritage & Understanding our Resources
Architecture today is trapped in a relentless cycle of demolition and reconstruction, rapidly depleting natural resources and eroding architectural heritage. On the Maltese islands, this constant redevelopment leads to the loss of cultural landmarks and local identity, as traditional buildings are replaced by modern structures that fail to reflect the area's rich history. The consequences are felt deeply by local communities, who are increasingly disconnected from their past. This issue is not confined to Malta; it extends across the Mediterranean, where other countries face similar losses of heritage. To protect both the environment and cultural integrity, we must shift toward sustainability, embracing adaptive reuse, circular construction, and material efficiency.
19:45 -> 20:45
17
Guided Tour
The Brewhouse
The Farsons Brewhouse, a modernist industrial complex, has undergone restoration aimed for preservation as part of Malta’s architectural heritage. The site now serves as a case study in how contemporary interventions can both celebrate and merge original design interventions. From 11:00 to 12:00, join Professor Alex Torpiano for an architecturally guided tour of the premises. The visit offers a first-hand look at the transformations undertaken to accentuate the Brewhouse’s modernist features—raising questions about the balance between restoration and reinvention.
11:00 -> 12:00
Sicily
Maurizio Oddo
Oddo + Barracco
Italian architect and academic Maurizio Oddo brings a deeply analytical lens to architectural practice, grounded in both design and historical research. Holding doctorates in Architectural Design and History of Architecture from the Universities of Catania and Palermo respectively, Oddo is also a professor at the University of Enna "Kore." In 2002, he co-founded Studio BoMa with Alessandro Barracco, completing projects such as Casa Ditta, the New Library of Enna, and Piazza Belvedere of Triscina. At the Ħaġra Festival, Oddo will present a selection of his work, illustrating how his practice weaves together scholarly inquiry and built form. With past curatorial projects his contribution to the field extends beyond architecture —into architecture as cultural discourse.
16:00 -> 17:00
France
Corinne Vezzoni
Corinne Vezzoni & Associés
Born in 1964 and raised in Morocco, Corinne Vezzoni began her architectural studies in 1987 at the École d’architecture de Marseille. In 2000, she co-founded Corinne Vezzoni et Associés alongside Pascal Laporte and Maxime Claude. The firm has since established a reputation for its thoughtful and diverse body of work spanning architecture, urban design, and infrastructure. Rooted in a commitment to contextual responsiveness, the practice resists repetition in favour of site-specific solutions—where function, materiality, and place shape the final form. Rather than imposing upon a site, the studio seeks to engage in dialogue with it, revealing what already exists and building from within. At Ħaġra Festival, Vezzoni will present her firm’s work and creative ethos: an architecture that embraces complexity, takes creative risks, and composes distinctive narratives for each project—never as objects in isolation, but as meaningful additions to their surroundings.
17:00 -> 18:00
Spain
Guillermo Reynés
GRAS Reynés Architects Studio
Spanish architect Guillermo Reynés, founder of GRAS-Reynés Arquitectos, brings a grounded yet globally aware voice to Ħaġra festival. With early experience at influential firms like MVRDV and Carlos Ferrater, Reynés has shaped a practice that favours thoughtful design rooted in local context, innovation and sustainability. His firm’s work ranges from elegant homes to ambitious urban plans—prioritises reuse, collaboration, and quality of life. At a time when architecture often loses touch with reality, Reynés reminds us that building well means building with respect: for place, for people, and for the planet.
18:15 -> 19:15
Roundtable Discussion
The Island Effect & Rethinking Policy
The "island effect" uniquely shapes architecture in Malta, with its limited land, harsh climate, and strong cultural ties influencing design decisions. Architects face the challenge of creating buildings that are not only resilient to intense heat and saltwater corrosion but also responsive to the island’s evolving social and environmental needs. However, rapid urbanisation driven by policies like the Development Control Design Policy of 2015 has transformed streetscapes, often disregarding Malta's architectural identity. This unchecked development raises urgent concerns about preservation, scale, and context. To safeguard what remains of the island’s heritage, it’s crucial to rethink these policies, prioritizing adaptive reuse over demolition. Only through thoughtful, context-driven intervention can Malta’s future architecture balance progress with respect for its unique character and history.
19:30 -> 20:30
18
Guided Tour
Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan
As part of Ħaġra Festival’s closing programme, a guided tour of Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan in Santa Venera will be held on Sunday 18th May, offering participants a rare opportunity to visit its tranquil gardens. Designed by Richard England in the 1980s, Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan brings together functionality, social purpose, and architectural sensitivity in a space rooted in care and inclusion. The garden setting serves as a peaceful retreat where elderly residents can meditate and pray in silence and serenity.
10:00 -> 11:00
Greece
Agnes Couvelas
Couvelas Architects & Engineers
At 26, Agnes Couvelas established her own practice that set the tone for a career measured by place-sensitive design. Her portfolio, including the The House of the Winds in Santorini, and the Evriali Ecological Park, reflects a quiet resistance to trend-driven architecture. Instead, Couvelas champions a language of material restraint, spatial clarity, and environmental responsiveness. Durability and liveability are not aesthetic choices but ethical imperatives. Couvelas’s architecture insists on relevance over noise, longevity over novelty. At this year’s Ħaġra festival, Couvelas will present her ongoing exploration of architecture as both spatial and ethical inquiry.
15:00 -> 16:00
Turkey
Emre Arolat
Emre Arolat Architecture
Emre Arolat, co-founder of Emre Arolat Architecture (EAA), is a leading Turkish architect known for blending contemporary design with cultural and historical context. A graduate of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, he gained international recognition with the Mies van der Rohe Award (2004) and the RIBA International Prize (2018). EAA bridges tradition and innovation through its wide range of works. At this event, Arolat will present a selection of projects, offering a critical look into the firm’s design process and its ongoing negotiation between global modernism and local identity.
16:00 -> 17:00
Roundtable Discussion
What is the Future of Mediterranean Architecture?
For the finale of the Ħaġra Festival, it seems only fitting to conclude with a conversation that revisits the themes explored throughout the event, but also dares to confront the pressing questions surrounding the future of contemporary Mediterranean architecture. Rather than a mere retrospective, this discussion serves as a timely provocation—challenging architects to critically assess the courses we are charting for the decades ahead, amid increasing environmental, financial, and social pressures.
17:15 -> 18:15
