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PR 12/25 | Prioritise Good Architectural Outcomes Rather Than Good Legal Outcomes, KTP President during Premju Galizia

During Saturday’s National Awards for the Built Environment, Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia 2025, the President of the Kamra tal-Periti called for a prioritisation of design quality and for respect towards the role of Periti in shaping the built environment.

These remarks came at the end of the largest-scale Premju Galizia organised by the Kamra tal-Periti so far, which spanned over six days, culminating in the awards ceremony on Saturday night, with over forty nominations considered, in eight different categories. For the event, both the Executive Chairperson of the Planning Authority, Mr Johann Buttigieg and the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, Mr Kurt Farrugia were in attendance. The Planning Authority was the national partner of this event, whilst the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and JMV Vibro Steel Limited also supported the event as platinum partners.

Perit André Pizzuto spoke about this year’s theme for the awards: Legacy. This was introduced earlier by the Artistic Director for Premju Galizia, Perit Joeaby Vassallo (I+A), who asked the question, “What would Galizia do?” as this year’s point of reflection — a question that set a compass which guided the international jury in measuring how the submissions align with Galizia’s values and his enduring standard of quality. Pizzuto emphasised that legacy is both what we inherit and what we leave behind. It reflects how decisions today shape the future of Malta.

In the lead up to the President’s Award, a yearly recognition of the best submission or nomination during the night, KTP’s President underlined the challenges in the planning approval process, often undermining design integrity, leading to compromises and diminished architectural quality. This, Perit Pizzuto said, is exacerbated by clients prioritising permits over good architecture, calling for a reform in the system to prioritise design quality and foster respect towards the professions.

In light of the ongoing debate on the proposed planning reforms, Perit Pizzuto highlighted the importance of trust and dialogue, whilst expressing disappointment at the current public debate, overly focused on legal outcomes rather than achieving good architectural outcomes for the community. The KTP president mentioned the ongoing work to develop a National Architecture Policy, to which he happily acknowledged Mr Buttigieg’s earlier intervention, in which it was confirmed that Planning Authority will be moving on with this policy, in collaboration with the Kamra tal-Periti. The speech concluded with a call to ensure Malta’s future reflects thoughtful, courageous, and purposeful design, serving the greater good, as well as acknowledgement to the jury, sponsors and contributors of the event.

After the categorial awards, the KTP further recognised Ms Simone Mizzi, Perit Vincent Cassar and Valentino Architects with the Galizia Leadership Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and President’s Award, respectively. Vice President of the Kamra tal-Periti, Perit Matias Camilleri de Marco outlined how through decades of tireless service, Ms Simone Mizzi never led from a distance, and her influence extended beyond the Maltese shores. Citing personal inspiration from Malta’s archaeology and historic fabric, Perit Camilleri de Marco awarded the Galizia Leadership Award, stating that Mizzi’s work remind us that leadership in architecture and heritage is, at its heart, about stewardship.

Perit Nicholas Mallia, Honorary Secretary of the Kamra followed by highlighting decades of devotion to shaping Malta’s physical and environmental landscape of Perit Vincent Cassar. Perit Mallia presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Perit Cassar, describing him as a true gentleman, pragmatic and level-headed, never to be swayed by noise and always focused on what is fair, reasonable, and right for the profession and for Malta.

Finally, the President Award 2025 was awarded to Valentino Architects, in what Perit André Pizzuto said was a clear recommendation by the international jury, diverting from previous years where the award recognised the ‘winner of winners’ amongst all awarded designs. The jury’s recommendation was based on the high quality of the several entries in different categories by this firm which spoke to their remarkable consistency and high design ethic.

 

Read the full speech by KTP President

 

Winners of Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia 2025

PREMJU GALIZIA WINNERS

Adaptive Renovation Award

Teatru Salesjan

Single Dwelling Design Award

Dar iċ-Ċitru

Workplace Design Award

Architect’s Workshop

Hospitality Design Award

VIP Terminal

Engineering Innovation Award

Sustainable Living Complex

Emerging Practice Award

EBEJER BONNICI

Unbuilt Projects Award

Forgotten Stories

Galizia Leadership Award

Ms Simone Mizzi

Lifetime Achievement Award

Perit Vincent Cassar

President’s Award

Valentino Architects

PREMJU GALIZIA PARTNERS

National Partner

Planning Authority

Platinum Partners

Superintendence and JMV Vibro Steel Limited

Silver Partners

Vivendo Projects, ICI Limited, and Vassallo Builders

Media Partner

Design Dispatch

Venue Partners

Villa Bighi and Social Care Standards Authority

Special Thanks

Heritage Malta and SHARE Architects

 

www.premjugalizia.org

 

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PR 10/25 | A Legacy of Excellence – KTP President sends open letter to the profession

Kamra tal-Periti has officially launched the 2025 edition of the Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia, Malta’s national architecture awards. Entries are now being accepted online at www.premjugalizia.org, with a closing date of 26 September 2025.

To mark this occasion, KTP President André Pizzuto wrote an open letter to the profession highlighting the need for architects and civil engineers to adopt values grounded in rigorous attention to detail, a sense of civic duty, and a holistic view of how buildings sit within wider urban systems, inspired by Emanuele Luigi Galizia after whom the national architecture awards organised by the Kamra are named – one of Malta’s most significant 19th-century architects and civil engineers.

The Premju Galizia recognises excellence in architecture, urban design, engineering and conservation within the built environment across Malta and Gozo. The awards foreground multidisciplinary teamwork, encouraging submissions from full project teams rather than individuals.

Clients, architects, engineers, designers and specialists all share in the recognition. In his letter, Pizzuto outlined the values underpinning this year’s edition: “Good architecture is not only about strong design concepts, but also about effective engineering and meticulous detailing solutions, the urban forms and spatial impacts, the sensitive conservation strategies, skilled execution of works, and the stamina and financial backing of clients”.

Award categories have been strategically chosen to reflect pressing national priorities: adaptive reuse of existing buildings, density and housing, hospitality, open space design, and public projects. The programme is inspired by the legacy of Emanuele Luigi Galizia, whose values, rigour, civic commitment, and systemic thinking, remain urgently relevant today.

Shortlisted projects will be invited to present publicly during awards week in October

2025 at Villa Bighi, Kalkara.

Submissions must include the full list of team members, with their consent. Guidance, eligibility, and submission requirements can be found in detail at www.premjugalizia.org.

 

Full open letter to the profession by KTP President

 

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PR 08/25 | Kamra tal-Periti announces 4th edition of Premju Galizia and appoints I+A as Artistic Directors

The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti is pleased to announce that the fourth edition of the Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia (Premju Galizia) will take place in October 2025. This national award scheme recognises excellence across architectural practice, engineering, planning, and design, and is named in honour of one of Malta’s most influential historic figures of the profession.

In a first for the award, the Council has appointed I+A as Artistic Directors for the upcoming edition. The studio will be entrusted with curating the visual identity, event experience, and thematic framing of Premju Galizia 2025, ensuring the programme resonates with both the profession and the wider public.

Premju Galizia 2024 awards ceremony

 

Perit André Pizzuto, President of the Kamra tal-Periti, commented:

“Premju Galizia has matured into an essential instrument for recognising excellence and integrity within our profession. By appointing I+A as Artistic Directors, we are taking a critical step towards expanding the award’s cultural and civic relevance.”

 

Perit Joeaby Vassallo, Director and Co-founder at I+A, stated:

“Premju Galizia is one of the only opportunity for us Periti to be appraised and celebrated by those who understand the real complexity of the our work. It is an immense responsibility to shape this edition with the respect and clarity it deserves. Our goal is to ensure that the profession sees itself in this edition: honestly, intelligently, and with a renewed sense of purpose.”

 

Further details on Premju Galizia 2025 – including submission dates, programme components, and jury composition – will be issued in the coming weeks.

Premju Galizia 2024 President’s Award winner – City of 1000 Gardens – a vision for Marsascala by NIDUM

 

Premju Galizia 2019 President’s Award winner – Reef Villa, Bahrain – by Chris Briffa Architects (Photo: Aldo Amoretti)

 

Premju Galizia 2018 President’s Award winner – San Pawl tat-Targa Villa – by CVC architecture (Photo: Sean Mallia)
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