An Architectural Legacy - Gustave Vincenti

Today’s board hearing discussed the shocking proposal to erect a 13-storey hotel on Palazzina Vincenti. Despite the scale and impact of this monstrosity, the Directorate recommended the project for approval. Only an address error has forced the application to be republished.

The fight to safeguard Palazzina Vincenti and the adjacent buildings designed by Vincenti is far from over.

Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna Kamra tal-Periti Kunsill Lokali San Ġiljan FAA Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar Din l-Art Helwa Sliema Local Council

Carlo Stivala's 13-storey hotel on Palazzina Vincenti in St Julian's hits a snag Carlo Stivala's application to build a hotel atop Palazzina Vincenti in St Julian's hits a snag as Planning Authority insists site address on the application has to be corrected to reflect the extent of the proposed development

Palazzina Vincenti is still under threat!

The revised plans will see this iconic modernist palazzo overshadowed and transformed into a 13-storey hotel, drastically altering its character and the surrounding area.

The home of Perit Gustave Vincenti deserves Grade 1 protection — nothing less. Vincenti, a visionary and philanthropic architect, contributed so much to Malta’s architectural heritage. His legacy deserves respect, not erasure.

An upcoming lecture organised by Kamra tal-Periti will highlight why the preservation of this architectural monument matters now more than ever.

Let’s stand up for our heritage before it’s too late.

Concrete and Stone: Conserving Maltese Modernism - Seminar Series The Kamra tal-Periti are organising a series of public seminars dedicated to Modernist architecture in Malta, a period that has played a significant role in shaping the island’s built environment yet remains relatively under-represented within mainstream cultural narratives.

The Planning Authority has declared Palazzina Vincenti as a national monument by issuing a Grade 2 protection status. The facades of the adjacent houses are also given a Grade 2 protection level, while the interior of these buildings have been given a Grade 3 status. However, being the personal house of Perit Vincenti, Palazzina Vincenti merits a higher grade, that of a Grade 1 protection status while the interior of the adjacent houses also merit a higher level of protection. We will wait and see what the proposed development will entail.

Well done to all involved in pushing for the protection of Gustave Vincenti's modernist masterpiece, a landmark building to be enjoyed by future generations.

Palazzina Vincenti Granted a Grade 2 Level of Scheduling - SCH Malta The Palazzina Vincenti has just been granted a Grade 2 level of scheduling by the Planning Authority, following the Superintendence’s recommendation to the Planning Authority’s Executive Council on the 14th of December, 2021, also endorsed by the Cultural Heritage Advisory …

Today one year ago the Planning Authority issued an Emergency Conservation Order for Palazzina Vincenti’s immediate protection after concluding that it was a “heritage at risk”'. While PA/07761/21 still seeks for its total demolition, the Planning Authority has extended the ECO for another year.

This month also marked the launching of the book Gustave R Vincenti - An Architectural Legacy published by Architect David Ellul with Kite Group. This book highlights Vincenti's architectural works including Palazzina Vincenti and other landmarks.

Nearing towards the one year deadline of the temporary Emergency Conservation Order issued for Palazzina Vincenti, a publication compiled by David Ellul analyses Perit Vincenti’s architectural background and evolution throughout his career, highlighting his noteworthy projects that are compiled in a spectrum of works.

Such a publication gives Vincenti the attention he deserves as one of Malta's most prolific architects.

PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER. This new title by David Ellul analyses Perit Vincenti’s architectural background and evolution throughout his career. Living in an age of experimentation, Vincenti excelled his architectural boundaries through the innovative use of materials and distinctive profiles and geometry. Plans and drawing are being published for the first time. Two cover options to choose from: Vincenti Buildings, Valletta or Palazzina Vincenti, St Julian's Secure your copy from:
https://www.kitegroup.com.mt/product/9421/

During this time of year the Kunsill Lokali tal-Floriana nominates a few individuals who lived in Floriana and who had a historical and social impact to the local community. This year Perit Gustave Vincenti is one of the individuals whose portrait is displayed in Triq il-Miratur. This is a well deserved contribution to the Architect who defined the extension of Floriana during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Vincenti was also the architect entrusted with the reconstruction of St. Publius Church and the design of the new cupola after its destruction during the Second World War.

Parroċċa San Publju Floriana

A truly remarkable moment to announce that the Planning Authority has issued an Emergency Conservation Order (ECO) for the immediate protection of Palazzina Vincenti which was threatened of being demolished.

More than 900 objections have been submitted against its destruction, including representations submitted by Kunsill Lokali San Ġiljan, ADPD, Din l-Art Helwa, FAA Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Moviment Graffitti, HoASA, SACES.

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/st-julians-palazzina-vincenti-given-emergency-conservation-order.922225

Objection to safeguard Palazzina Vincenti ends this Friday 10th December. To object to the demolition of Palazzina Vincenti click on the link below;

These buildings are of a revolutionary and beautiful architectural style that deserve protection in their entirety as GRADE 1 listed buildings, thus preserving all external and internal features.

An abstract taken from the dissertation “Gustavo R. Vincenti’s approach towards 20th century Maltese architecture as revealed by his archives”, at the University of Malta within the Faculty for the Built Environment, Ellul. D, highlights the significant importance of Palazzina Vincenti as follows;

“Palazzina Vincenti stands as Vincenti’s architectural tour de force in the shift towards Modernism. It represents the culmination of his entrepreneurial and architectural achievements, embodying the meaning of wealth and success, through progressive design and innovative materials. Vincenti’s affiliation with the ‘circle’ and ‘square’ motifs, applied to his Art Nouveau buildings, are manifested in the three-dimensionality of the structure through the geometric juxtaposition of circular curves and cubist projections.”

“The void created through the receded physical form, adjures admiration. Seemingly sculpted within the building line, it evokes an artistic expression, resulting in a masterpiece of architecture defined by pure geometric volumes.”

“A salient element within the façade, in Gorg Borg Olivier Street, is the semi-circular cantilevered terrace acting as a focal point of the whole composition. By using reinforced concrete, Vincenti’s ex*****on of the cantilevered terrace, freed the space underneath, giving the building lightness and openness. Influenced by international examples of architectural works, such as Casa Römer designed by architect Karl Schneider in Germany (1927-1928), it portrays Vincenti’s desire to evoke new possibilities within architecture, entices the onlooker. The construction of a smaller cantilevered terrace on the roof level, acts as if the terraces are stepped from the main platform at ground floor to the top.
Palazzina Vincenti could be considered as application model of reinforced concrete, one of the earliest examples of domestic architecture to utilise such material. By taking full advantage of the possibility reinforced concrete brought with, it freed Vincenti’s artistic expression from the limitations of traditional materials.”

“Palazzina Vincenti could be considered as the breakthrough towards Modernism, a manifestation of reinforced concrete celebrating new architectural possibilities.”

“Adjacent to the Palazzina, on either side, are another two houses which seem to be designed in a muted Modernist aesthetic. The approach towards such forms could have been derived from Vincenti’s affiliation of the regional architecture, through the use of the Maltese balcony, but translated in contemporary materials complementing the Modern aesthetic."

Palazzina Vincenti deserves the level of protection as any other palazzo in Malta. It is a Modernist Palazzo that forms part of the historical timeline of palatial properties in Malta.

HISTORICAL VALUE
Several books on Maltese architecture and studies conducted at the University of Malta have cited the importance of these buildings and the significance Perit Vincenti had as a prominent Maltese architect and entrepreneur who revolutionised the early part of 20th century Malta. Palazzina Vincenti also merits historical importance, it being the personal house of Perit Vincenti, built as his own residence till his death in 1974.

CONTEXTUAL VALUE
Balluta Bay is one of the richest areas in Malta containing a number of architectural landmarks that are scheduled. These include Villa Leoni, Villa Blanche, Villa Priuli, Villa Cassar Torregiani, Casa Caruana Dingli, Chateau En Mer, Balluta Buildings, the Carmelite Church and the adjacent dwellings and Nos.194-198, Triq il-Kbira San Giljan.

HoASA states that when considering the above-mentioned richness in architecture, as well as its historical and contextual value, we strongly encourage the restoration and conservation of Palazzina Vincenti. Local Modern architecture does not only provide the island with a general aesthetic but stands testimony to the cultural richness for which Malta is identified. Apart from this, more exposure about the importance of conserving Modern architecture in Malta should be introduced to the general public through proper signage of such works of Art.