Site (familiarisation) visit Publication Reference: Title: Design services of an Integrated Multidisciplinary Design Team for the GOZO MUSEUM, Victoria, GOZO. (MALTA) Date of visit: 14 th March 2016 Representatives present: Charles Hili (Project Leader) MGOZ CH Nicoline Sagona (Manager Gozo sites) HM NS Perit Daphne Fenech (Project Manager) HM DF Minutes of meeting NS introduced the team to those present and gave a brief history of the building, outlining that it was built in the 1950 s to house the first ever technical school in Gozo. NS emphasised the importance that this building has in Gozo s and Malta s Architectural Heritage and reminded that together with the existing building a new addition is required in order to house museum and visitors facilities. DF outlined the procedure to be adopted during the meeting that is that all questions and answers shall be recorded and uploaded onto the website as clarifications, thus made accessible to all interested contestants. Q01: Could you summarise the purpose of the project? A01: The design contest brief explains very clearly the thought process behind the conception of the Gozo Museum project. The main aim is to create a regional museum for the island which presents through a new dialogue the collections currently housed in part of Heritage Malta s Cittadella museums. The complex should also provide for a new and fully accessible reserve collection facility, administration offices for the Gozo sites administration team, visitor facilities and temporary exhibition spaces. Direct links to the street are essential in order to draw the public into the space. Q02: Are the Cittadella museums going to close? A02: The collections within the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Gozo Nature Museum and part of the Folklore collection are going to move to the new complex.
Q03: Is the Gozo Museum envisaged as a backup facility to the sites within the Cittadella thus moving the collections closer to the public? A03: The Gozo Museum is not to be perceived as a backup facility but as an independent museum complex with a very important educational role. Refer to Section 4 of the design contest document. Q04: Is the major issue with the museums at the Citadel that of a lack of accessibility? A04: It is one of the major issues although it will improve with the new project. Another key issue is that the current museums interpretation is in need of updating and there is not enough space for new displays and themes. Q05: When was the extension built? A05: The extension was built in the 1970s. It was brought to the attention of the contestants that there is a clear photograph in the design brief showing the library block being built. Q06: Would you contemplate demolishing the 1970 s wing? A06: Although the overarching objective is to retain the historicity and authenticity of the site, all contestants are being left free to come up with their design proposals. Q07: What are the extents of the site? A07: The site boundaries were indicated. Please refer to the surveyed drawings attached to the design contest document in the Annex Section 9.04. Also refer to attached drawing indicating site boundary Site(familiarisation) visit_clarification drawing01. Q08: What is the current use of the abutting third party building? A08: An examinations centre.
Q09: What is the current square meterage? A09: Please refer to the ACAD plans as attached in the design contest document Section 9.04. It was brought to the attention of the contestants that the contracting authority would like to retain and restore a number of historic windows still present on site. Q10: Why isn t the examinations hall part of the complex? This division does not make sense architecturally. A10: The examinations hall does fall under the contracting authority s jurisdiction. Q11: Does the blocked door on the ground floor of the classroom block lead to an area which forms part of the complex? A11: Yes. The area earmarked for the construction of a possible extension was identified (the open space to the right of the site when facing the entrance). It was emphasised that this is however only an option to be considered and that the contestants are being given free reign to come up with their own proposals. The service road present by the side of the complex which belongs to the Ministry for Education was identified as a possible access route for the back of house facilities needed for the new museum complex. Q12: Has the history of the building and its development been researched? A12: All the historical information gathered thus far forms part of the design contest document. Please refer to Section 05.02 of the design contest document.
Q13: Does the five (5) million funding capping include the service fees? A13: Yes. Q14: Will the contracting authority be committed to kick start the project prior to funds being committed? A14: The project is subject to EU funding. The area which was scarred after the partial demolition of the building which took place in recent years was identified and clearly shown to the contestants. Q15: There is no mention in the brief of the way in which points shall be scored. A15: Refer to Evaluation Criteria in Section 7.14 of the design contest document. Q16: Does the window in the current laboratory overlooking third party property have to be closed off? A16: No. Q17: Would there be any issues related to archaeological monitoring and findings should excavations take place? A17: Although the land beneath the building and its surroundings could have been disturbed during construction works in the 1950s and again in the 70s for the erection of the library block, one cannot exclude such issues due to the site s proximity to the Cittadella and historic centre of Rabat and to other recent archaeological findings. Q18: Has the building been scheduled? A18: The building is in the process of being scheduled. Q19: Is the railing on the front of the building original?
A19: One would have to find out through further research. The area outlined for the impending construction of a lift by the Ministry for Education and abutting the Gozo Museum building, was clearly identified. The back boundary line of the property was also outlined.