This workshop will explore the theme of sustainable architecture and is aimed at giving architecture students a practical opportunity to discover new ways of building greener, eco-friendlier buildings. It is being held in collaboration with the Chamber of Architects and will include participation by a number of leading local and foreign architects, including the UIA (Union Internationale des Architectes) Vice President himself, Mr Andreas Gottlieb Hempel as well as Architect Paul Camilleri, Dr Marc Bonello, Dr Vincent Buhagiar, Architect Konrad Buhagiar, Architect David Drago, Architect Tom Van Malderen, Architect Edwin Larkens, Architect Edward Cuschieri, Architect Michael Pace, Architect Jacques Borg Barthet, Architect Malcolm Gingell and Architect Konrad Xuereb. The results from this workshop will be further presented in the UIA XXI World Congress of Architecture, to be held in Berlin during July of the forthcoming year, and bearing the same theme of "Resource Architecture".

The Ospizio complex, within which the workshops will take place, is one of many vacant and derelict historical areas in Malta. There exists huge scope for developing this area into something useful and innovative. The main idea is to study the existing conditions of any space, or series of spaces, and discover ways of exploiting its/their potential. Participants are urged to discover new ways to utilise such spaces now and in the long-term future, without neglecting its past and with regard to new developments in sustainable technology. Besides referring to environmental ways of maximising natural sunlight, ventilation and the like, the use of innovative materials (preferably recyclable ones), which can actively or passively contribute to sustainability, is encouraged. The challenge for the students is to develop a flexible solution, which permits one to leave the existing fabric rather than using new construction material, thus responding positively to sustain the environment. The challenge is obviously harder when dealing with a building which has an important past that must be respected.

It is hoped that this workshop might provide an insight into using other similar buildings scattered along the island; as it were, this might serve its purpose as a sort of pilot project for Malta. At the same time, the workshop will definitely offer interesting results which could contribute positively to the whole architectural industry per se.