CLIENT Restoration Directorate, Malta
ARCHITECTURE Ipostudio, EMDP, Hermann Bonnici
STRUCTURE aei progetti
MEP b.NEL
DESIGN 2017- 2018
REALIZATION 2020-2021
ROOF AREA 2.500 sqm
TOTAL COST 9 mio €
STRUCTURE COST 3,9 mio €
RENDERINGS Ipostudio


The project concerns the realization of the new Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) located at the Ospizio complex in the area of Floriana in Malta. MICAS is part of the requalification project of the whole fortress area that aims to be a cultural pole, enhance its unique identity and attract artists and tourists all year long.
The location chosen for the MICAS galleries is the San Salvatore bastion area in Floriana. The area is rich in its historical landscape due to surrounding fortifications and ramparts which it is composed of.

It was important to overcome the inevitable conflict between the monument – the fortress – and the new structure with a contemporary function. For this reason the realization of a monumental roof is proposed, that could unify the sporadic elements of the site and become an iconic element for the new MICAS space. In order to create a dialogue with the old bastion, the roof continues vertically and becomes the main façade. This impressive structure aims to highlight the contemporary character of the intervention, in contrast with the existing monument of the bastion. In order to respect the existing levels of the site, the building is conceived as a series of terraces in between the bastions and under the same roofing.

The roof is designed to be a structural iconic element as well as a functional one. It provides natural ventilation and lighting and carries all the systems for moving/hanging up/lighting the galleries underneath. It is basically a grid made from welded steel beams of 0,60×1,20 m that create a modular system of 3×3 m. The grid is realized by means built-up hollow steel profiles with different and optimized thicknesses Where the beams turn vertical, they work as pillars that bear the whole structure. The void between the beam grid is used as a gutter for water management. To ensure natural lighting the roof is covered with float glass on top of which a solar shading system is placed, to filter the natural light. Internally the roof is a technical machinery that allows for different exhibition scenarios. The void between the beam intersections is used for the lighting systems (led stripes).