Following a meeting held yesterday between the President of the Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) André Pizzuto and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Chris Bonett, another meeting was held this afternoon between members of the design team behind KTP’s Msida Park project and IM’s civil engineers. The purpose of the meeting was to explain the urban design and planning concepts behind the project to facilitate its development and implementation.
The parties are to reconvene at a future date to provide IM with the time necessary for the technical development of the new project. The KTP team committed to remain available to assist with its technical expertise as needed.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/MsidaPark_02.jpg10801920Kamra tal-Peritihttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngKamra tal-Periti2024-06-26 17:23:142024-06-26 17:33:09PR 06/24 | Team of Periti behind KTP's proposal meet IM to explain Msida Park project
Last Thursday, Perit Andre Pizzuto, President of Kamra tal-Periti, and Perit Joeaby Vassallo, Communications & International Secretary, met with Minister Ian Borg, the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, to discuss the Chamber’s collaboration with Birzeit University, Palestine. This initiative is aimed at organising a practical architectural experience for Palestinian architecture students in Malta.
During the discussions, Minister Borg praised the initiative, stating, “The real test of our country’s commitment to peace, mutual respect, and generosity towards people living in conflict zones is the success of such intercultural collaborations.” The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to facilitate the smooth arrival and stay of the students in Malta and other logistical support.
Perit Andre Pizzuto reinforced the Minister’s sentiments: “Architecture is about building communities through cultural gestures in public spaces that aim to improve the quality of life of those who inhabit them. By establishing robust collaboration among Mediterranean architects, we not only strengthen our professional ties but also amplify our collective impact on regional development. This summer, we are dedicated to enriching the educational experiences of our Palestinian colleagues through international exposure.”
Project Development and Updates
Kamra tal-Periti is setting up a pop-up studio for 15 Palestinian architecture students who will spend a the second half of this July in Malta engaging in a hands-on, transformative educational program. The studio aims to blend Palestinian and Maltese design approaches, fostering collaboration and idea-sharing among participants while establishing significant connections in the international architectural community.
Since its launch in April, the initiative has received strong support, with numerous Periti, architecture students and other individuals offering their assistance. Discussions with the Embassy of Palestine in Malta are progressing well to enhance this collaboration. We are calling on the public to support this projectthrough various means, including accommodation, travel sponsorships, resources for the pop-up studio, and mentorship opportunities with local professionals.
Expression of Interest for Accommodation
As July approaches, there is a pressing need to secure suitable accommodation for the 15 Palestinian architecture students and 3 tutors participating in our program. In response to this critical requirement, Kamra tal-Periti is officially launching an Expression of Interest for Accomodation. While the students are prepared to cover their accommodation costs, any form of sponsorship, whether partial or complete, would be greatly appreciated and would substantially facilitate the success of this experience.
We earnestly appeal to the public and potential sponsors to assist in meeting this crucial need. For details on how to submit your proposal or to discuss potential collaboration, please refer to the Expression of Interest here.
For more information or to offer support, contact Kamra tal-Periti by email at jvassallo@kamratalperiti.org or via phone or WhatsApp at +356 99 202 406.
With reference to our press release published on 05/12/23 following the publication of a legal notice extending the validity period of permits expiring between 10th November 2023 and 31st December 2024, the Kamra tal-Periti notes that despite a positive disposition during meetings, the Government has so far failed to address the injustice that was caused for permit holders whose permits expired between 1st January 2023 and 9th November 2023.
These permit holders were, for some unknown reason, denied any extensions, while some even benefitted from two extensions totalling six years.
This situation is graphically explained below:
The Kamra, thus, urges the Government to rectify this anomaly as soon as possible.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/Extensions.jpg640960Joeaby Vassallohttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngJoeaby Vassallo2024-03-20 15:07:282024-03-20 15:07:28PR 03/24 | Anomaly Of Unequal Validity Period For Various Development Permits Prevails
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/OPM.jpg17071280Joeaby Vassallohttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngJoeaby Vassallo2024-02-29 18:23:172024-02-29 18:30:56Letter to the Prime Minister
This afternoon, the Kamra tal-Periti and the Malta Development Association announced the establishment of the National Building Council at Villa Bighi.
Perit Andre Pizzuto, President of the Kamra tal-Periti, explained that talks between the two organisations have been going on for over a year, as he outlined Kamra tal-Periti’s main motivations behind this initiative.
The reputational damage the industry has suffered in recent years was of major concern to the Kamra. He stated that as the major leaders of the industry, the Kamra and MDA were dutybound to address it.
Pizzuto spoke of the need to raise quality across the board, and for this to happen the industry must agree on universal standards applicable to all ensuring that this objective is achieved. He stated that it was thus not only inevitable, but necessary for the MDA and KTP to come together to form this National Building Council. He underscored that despite campaigning incessantly for over five years for regulatory reform, KTP members have come to the conclusion that the only way to make any meaningful progress is self-regulation.
Perit Pizzuto concluded that this initiative is a test for both the MDA and the KTP to practise what they preach, deliver tangible measures, and be held accountable.
Michael Stivala, President of the Malta Development Association, described this initiative as historic, and proceeded to outline the main priorities for the National Building Council, including quality of building and materials, safety standards for workers and neighbours, upskilling, education and training for all stakeholders, and sustainable buildings.
Stivala spoke of the importance that the MDA and KTP work more closely to develop common agendas that result in better aesthetics and enhanced infrastructural capacity of the country.
The MDA president also spoke of the cost of unnecessary bureaucracy that is estimated to inflate the value of each apartment by over €15,000, posing affordability challenges without providing any significant value.
At the conclusion of their speeches, the two presidents signed the cooperation agreement which officialises the formation of the National Building Council.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/KTP_MDA_NBC-1.jpg10001332Joeaby Vassallohttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngJoeaby Vassallo2024-02-16 18:02:002024-02-16 18:14:08PR 01/24 | MDA & KTP launch National Building Council
During its Annual General Meeting held recently, the President of the Kamra tal-Periti outlined the successes and challenges the Kamra has had during 2023.
Among its successes, Andre Pizzuto highlighted three in particular:
The coming into force of the new Periti Act, and the publication for the first time in the profession’s history of two separate lists of warranted architects and warranted civil engineers.
The coming into force of new regulations for the licensing of contractors, which the Kamra strived for since 2007.
The high profile the Kamra has been attained at an international level with direct representation on the Architects’ Council of Europe, European Council of Civil Engineers, and Engineers Europe.
Pizzuto expressed satisfaction at the Council’s efficiency in processing professional conduct cases during 2023. Indeed, improvements have been registered in almost all phases of the process (see fig.1), despite the fact that their handling is still being done on a voluntary basis with no budget allocation from the government.
Figure 1 – Status of professional conduct complaints at year end
Pizzuto also expressed his satisfaction that after long negotiations that started in May 2021, the government has finally transferred the amount of €15,000 for the Kamra to use as a deposit to initiate the development of an IT system to handle the new roles assigned to it by law.
Nevertheless, Pizzuto expressed his deep disappointment that despite reassurances given to the Council in July 2023, shortly after the announcement of the public inquiry into Jean Paul Sofia’s demise, that an annual budget of €150,000 to cover part of the Kamra’s statutory expenses would be allocated as from last October, these promises were not honoured.
This disappointment is exacerbated by the fact that while no budget allocation for the Kamra tal-Periti was deemed necessary by the government, the Real Estate Licensing Board was allocated €150,000, and Property Malta was allocated a further €300,000.
The lack of a budget allocation by the government for the Kamra – particularly at a time when the construction industry is in crisis and in desperate need of investment in upskilling, establishment of standards, and effective enforcement (including the Kamra’s disciplinary processes) – is considered by the Council to be politically short-sighted and negligent.
The Kamra trusts that the government will reconsider its position and provide it with the necessary funding so it may fulfil its statutory obligations to safeguard the public interest.
At the end of the general meeting, the new Council for 2024 was appointed as follows:
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/AGM2023.jpg15362048Kamra tal-Peritihttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngKamra tal-Periti2023-12-21 08:25:572023-12-21 08:40:32PR 09/23 | Government fails to honour agreement with Kamra tal-Periti on budget allocation
In recent weeks, the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti has analysed the contents of S.L.552.33 published through L.N. 263 of 2023 to better understand the underlying reasons for its coming into force as well as its likely implications.
The Council noted that this was not the first time a similar legal notice was published. Indeed, shortly after the first few COVID-19 cases in Malta, a similar legal notice (S.L.552.30) was published extending all permits whose expiry fell between 27th March 2020 and 31st December 2022 by three years.
The more recent regulations extend all permits whose expiry falls between 10th November 2023 and 31st December 2024 also by three years.
The Kamra recognises that for the foreseeable months ahead, the industry will undergo a restructuring process as it adapts to new and expected regulations including the licensing of contractors, the new builders’ licence, new building regulations, the implementation of new regulations on energy performance in buildings and construction and demolition waste, taxonomy and ESG compliance, among many.
It is expected that these reforms will result in delays as the industry adjusts. These adjustments will also directly impact on the profession itself which will require a degree of training.
The Kamra, thus, welcomes the fact that the government has acknowledged this reality by extending the validity of permits.
Concurrently, however, the Kamra notes that the way in which the extensions were promulgated created a number of anomalies. Indeed, all permits whose expiry fell between 10th November 2020 and 31st December 2021 benefited from a total extension of six years, while those whose permits expired between 1st January 2023 and 9th November 2023 did not benefit from any extension. All others were granted an extension of three years. This is illustrated graphically below.
It is pertinent to note that while the Kamra was consulted regarding the first set of regulations published in 2020, regrettably, no such consultation took place with the latest set of regulations.
The Kamra calls on the government to address the anomaly illustrated in the above graph and attached table as soon as practicably possible.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/Extensions-1.jpg640960Kamra tal-Peritihttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngKamra tal-Periti2023-12-05 08:25:522023-12-05 11:28:28PR 08/23 | Extension of validity period of development permits
André Pizzuto, President of the Kamra tal-Periti, was elected to the Executive Board of the Architects’ Council Europe (ACE). This prestigious appointment happened during the ACE General Assembly held on the 23rd and 24th November 2023 in Brussels.
The Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) is the representative organisation for the architectural profession at European level. It consists of 51 Member Organisations, which are the regulatory and professional representative bodies in all European Union (EU) Member States, Accession Countries, the UK, Switzerland and Norway, and 5 Observers Members – Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Montenegro, RH of Macedonia). Through them, the ACE represents the interests of over half a million architects from 35 countries in Europe.
ACE is currently engaged in negotiations with its British and Canadian counterparts on the mutual recognition of architects as part of the wider free-trade agreement between the EU and UK, and EU and Canada.
It is also strongly engaged in negotiations with the European Commission on various EU directives, including the Energy Performance in Buildings, Services (Internal Market), Public Procurement, Proportionality Test, and Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directives.
ACE is also a leading partner of the Commission on the development and implementation of the New European Bauhaus programme, which seeks to elevate the quality of the built environment across the EU to achieve higher sustainability outcomes.
Bio Note:
André Pizzuto graduated in engineering and architecture at the University of Malta in 2002, and was granted a professional warrant to practise as an architect and civil engineer in Malta in 2004. He successfully read for a master’s degree in Planning Policy & Practice at London South Bank University in 2011. In 2016, he was conferred an MBA in Real Estate and Construction Management at the University College of Estate Management, Reading, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Pizzuto is the Managing Director of Design Principle, an architecture firm he set up in 2004 based in Valletta. He was also Executive Head of the Property Services Department at the Housing Authority of Malta between 2011 and 2013.
He has been elected as Council Member of the Kamra tal-Periti since December 2014, occupying the post of Vice-President and Treasurer between January 2019 and December 2020. He has occupied the post of President since December 2020. He is also a Council delegate on Building Regulation in Malta since 2017 and represented the Chamber on the Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC) on matters related to building regulation and on the Architects’ Council of Europe. In 2017, he was also appointed Chairperson of the Chamber’s Building Regulation Working Group tasked with the formulation and development of a position paper on a comprehensive building regulation regime for Malta which was published in May 2019.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/Andre-Pizzuto.jpeg6661000Kamra tal-Peritihttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngKamra tal-Periti2023-11-27 10:44:392023-11-27 10:44:56PR 07/23 | Andre Pizzuto elected to the Executive Board of the Architects' Council of Europe
Reference is made to the Kamra’s press release of 15th February 2023 wherein it was stated that it was opening an investigation into the incident that occurred in the site located in Psaila Street Birkirkara formerly housing the GO Exchange buildings to establish whether there any potential breaches by any of the periti involved in the project has occurred.
The Council had stated at the time that “[i]t is pertinent to underscore that the opening of an investigation does not imply any wrongdoing and consists in a fact-finding exercise to establish whether any professional malpractice did indeed occur. If the Council determines that there is a potential breach, the perit or periti involved will be afforded the right to exculpate themselves as provided for in the Periti Act.”
The Kamra tal-Periti is now in a position to announce the conclusions of its investigation:
The demolition method statement did not instruct the contractor to execute the works as illustrated in the videos widely reported in the media;
The contractor failed to follow the demolition method statement;
The contractor failed to adhere with the instruction given on site by the STO on Thursday 9th February 2023 in agreement with the perit-in-charge to clear the site from demolition debris to allow the setting up of a mobile crane within the confines of the site before any further demolition works were carried out. This instruction was issued since discussions were underway between the perit-in-charge, the STO and the contractor on modifications to the method statement requiring the use of a mobile crane;
The contractor appears to have decided to hastily proceed with the demolition works over the weekend as he sought fit in defiance of the instructions given by the STO instead of granting the time to the periti involved in the project to finalise the amended method statement;
Moreover, the site manager failed to enforce the provisions of S.L.623.08.
The Council has thus determined that its investigation against the periti involved in this project would be closed since no breaches of the Periti Act were established. It is regretted that the Building and Construction Authority did not cooperate with the Kamra’s investigations.
The Kamra tal-Periti welcomes the fact that after campaigning for sixteen years, at long last the BCA has started receiving applications for the licensing of contractors. This is an important milestone for the modernisation and renewal of the industry.
The success of this licensing regime, however, is dependent on how willing the BCA shall be in disciplining contractors. Without a dogged determination from the BCA to take the necessary steps to bring professionalism to construction sites, these regulations will prove to have been an exercise in futility.
The Kamra tal-Periti notes however that there is scope for improvement in the regulations as published last week. The absence of compulsory Contractors’ All Risk (CAR), Employers’ Liability, and Liability Period insurance cover is a serious lacuna in the regulations, as also highlighted by the MDA.
While the Kamra recognises that regulation 5 (3) of L.N. 166 of 2023 stipulates that a licensed contractor is required to ensure works are covered by insurance, this causes an unnecessary burden on the BCA’s enforcement personnel and on clients to verify that insurance was indeed taken out.
The Kamra submits that it is far more practical to ensure that adequate insurance cover is a pre-requisite for the issuance of a licence, as is the case under the Periti Act which mandates that all periti must be covered by insurance prior to being issued a certificate to practise from the Kamra. The presentation of a licence card should be sufficient proof of coverage for clients.
The Kamra calls for urgent discussions with the Government and the MDA to address this lacuna, having taken note of the Malta Insurers Association’s unwillingness to provide such cover, by exploring alternatives to local underwriters.
Moreover, the Kamra calls for a timetable to broaden the licensing regime to include building services and finishing works in the medium-term to ensure that standards are raised across the industry.
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