A home in Balzan, restored by Malta’s very own Architecture Project (AP), is one of 81 designs shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival Awards 2018, the most popular and prestigious awards for excellence in the field. And, judging by the stunning images, it’s no surprise!

World-renowned companies such as BIG, OMA and Zaha Hadid Architects are among the contenders, with results due to be announced in Amsterdam between 28th and 30th November. The building, known as The Coach House, has been shortlisted in the New & Old - Completed Buildings Category, according to AP.

The building was also recently recognised by Din l-Art Helwa, winning an award for Architectural Heritage in the Restoration and Regeneration category, as well as the overall Silver Medal, conferred to the project deemed to be the best in all categories.

The Coach House is situated adjacent to Palazzo Bosio in Balzan and is believed to have been a service building for the palazzo, built in the 18th century as the residence for Vincenzo Bosio, Commandator of the Knights of the Order of St John. 

It was renovated “around the need to preserve the functional nature of the building while accommodating the requests of the new owners”, according to AP, and an extension was built, incorporating “a ‘woven’ stone façade that combines contemporary minimalism with vernacular building technologies.”

David Drago, an Executive Director at AP, also commented on the nomination, saying, “The Coach House is the result of an approach which combines vernacular building technologies with contemporary design and which takes into account the needs of today’s highly-demanding environment while preserving our unique built heritage.”

While thanking all those involved in the project, the Executive Director stressed that this result was “the product of the passion they have for their work. We hope this project will serve as a relevant case study on how we can preserve our built heritage while keeping it alive”.  We hope so too!