Introducing new forms & volumes onto the layers of the past : Mellieha Civil Defence Depot

Abstract

The Maltese Islands are very rich in historical architecture, making it an integral part of the Maltese history. Some of these structures go back as far as the Megalithic Temples, continuing with Medieval and Baroque Cities, and ending up with the more recent British Empire era. These examples of historical architecture include all types of buildings, from religious to cultural, from civic to military. The ones that perhaps stand out the most, and that are more numerously found scattered all over the islands are actually the military buildings. Military buildings can be divided into two main types; those exposed on the combat front, such as forts and fortification walls, and those of which use ancillary related to the military, like for example; the British military bakery in Birgu, or the converted Villa Bighi which served as a hospital. Several deteriorating examples show the fact that military architecture originating from the British era are perhaps the ones that are receiving the least attention. The end result is that they are degenerating at a fast pace hence loosing forever the authenticity with which we inherited them. Several studies suggest that the best way to conserve old and historical buildings, irrespective from which era they originate, is to give them a new life, which stands to give them a new purpose, a new use. This philosophy is also recommended in Article 5 of the Venice Charter 1964, issued by ICOMOS. A case in point which will be discussed In this dissertation Is the former Mellieha Civil Defence Depot. Certain areas in this structure are in a relatively good state of repair, however, other areas are totally abandoned with the obvious degenerating result. The areas kept at a relatively good state are in fact those areas which continued to be used. When one works with these historical buildings one often encounters the need of introducing new forms and volumes. The introduction of new forms and volumes in historical buildings is a debated topic, and will therefore be discussed in the following chapters of this dissertation including local and international case studies. The case studies chosen are actually former military buildings so as to be of direct relevance to the Mellieha Civil Defence Depot. When a historic building is left unused it is automatically left undefended from the natural elements and from destructive human activity. As the building starts to deteriorate is starts emitting a sense of dereliction to itself and to the surrounding neighbourhood. If on the other hand it is well kept and utilised for current necessities it can give its contribute to create a better social and urban environment. For these reasons a chapter is dedicated to the actual proposals for the Mellieha Civil Defence Depot (MCDD), in order to make better use of this site which is at the moment underused and forgotten by most people.