The various initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainability within the Gozo Innovation Hub have been commended at the Malta Architectural and Spatial Planning (MASP) awards ceremony, with the project indeed winning this year’s Sustainabilty Award.
The ceremony, which this year was held virtually, was organised by the Planning Authority and recognised the most exemplary new contemporary architectural and interior design projects in Malta.
The Gozo Innovation Hub, which was designed by architectural firm MED Design, reflects the direction being taken by INDIS Malta in its projects, that is to incorporate as many green measures as possible to enhance sustainability and contribute towards a better environment.
The new building indeed features a louvre system that is solar-oriented to avoid excessive heat gain. Also, the external areas have been landscaped using indigenous trees, requiring less irrigation, and mature trees on site were also retained.
In its evaluation, the jury also noted how the retention of the original concrete structure is a good example of retaining a scarce and non-renewable natural resource aggregate, with the historic part of the project celebrating the work of renowned local architect Joseph Huntingford and giving a clear message that adaptive reuse of modernist buildings is important both in the cultural heritage sector as well as in the sustainability sector.