After The Iconic Azure Window In Malta Collapsed, This Russian Architect Proposes A Flashy Mirrored Building In Its Place
This March will mark the two-year anniversary of the collapse of one of Malta’s most famous landmarks – Azure Window. The arch had certain celebrity status, as not only was it a popular tourist attraction but it was also chosen as a backdrop for the Dothraki wedding scene in the Game of Thrones and featured in Clash of the Titans and The Count of Monte Cristo.
Sadly, the limestone arch that dominated the Dwejra coastline in Gozo no longer stands ashore of the Mediterranean – it collapsed into the sea in 2017 after a heavy storm. While a study conducted back in 2013 showed that the collapse of the Azure Window was not likely, concern over the natural landmark grew over the years with experts warning people about its erosion and fining tourists for walking over it.
Merely a day after the collapse, an international call was announced urging architects and artists alike to propose ideas to commemorate the iconic landmark. A number of proposals were being evaluated by the government, however, one of them stood out the most. Times of Malta writes that the controversial proposal to build a metal structure on the site of the former Azure Window has been covered by over 100 news outlets from all over the world.
More info: The Heart Of Malta | Vimeo | Instagram
As Malta’s famous landmark collapsed in 2017, this architect proposes reviving it in a modern way
A Russian architect named Svetozar Andreev teamed up with Elena Britanishskaya and proposed transforming the collapsed Azure Window into a steel exhibition space. As the famous landmark known as tieqa żerqa among the locals has collapsed into the sea, this project suggests reviving it in a modern way.
In the project ‘Heart of Malta,’ Svetozar Andreev proposes re-making the arch into an exhibition space
The architectural form is supposed to mirror the shape of the natural arch
The ‘Heart of Malta’ project aims to revive the visual landmark by creating a polygonal architectural shape with mirrored steel. The structure is supposed to mirror the shape of the natural arch and is supposed to blend into the landscape seamlessly, as it is designed to have the same size and proportions of the original Azure Window.
And blend into the landscape harmoniously
As it is designed with the same proportions as the original Azure Window
The architectural proposal comprises of over 5,000 square meters of exhibition space laid out through five floors “with a dynamic laser show in which each spiral step represents one thousand years of Maltese history,” architect Svetozar Andreev writes on the official project website.
The building is designed to have five floors
And would comprise of over 5,000 square meters
The Russian architect describes the project as ‘a perfect monument and symbol of the fusion of modernity and nature, of time and history, and a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit.’ One of the goals of the project is to create a new architectural and cultural space to draw tourists again to this area of Malta. Svetozar Andreev proposes using the latest techniques and materials available in order to not spoil the natural beauty by interfering with the natural coastline landscape.
The architect hopes that the new cultural space would draw visitors to Goza
However, the ‘flashy museum’ has also been widely criticized
However, not everyone finds the project attractive. “Nothing can rival the splendor of billions of years of naturally occurring brilliance that is the earth and its inhabitants,” one woman writes on Facebook. “Indulgent rubbish, pretentious and vulgar,” another man describes the project. “Nature needs protection and conservation not camouflage,” someone else said.
As some suggest the natural landscape should be left as it is
Nonetheless, it still attracted the attention of over 100 media outlets and people from all around the globe. We can either love it or hate it, but they say that bad press is better than no press at all… But most importantly, what do you think? We’re eager to hear your opinion so tell us in the comments below!
Watch the full video of the project below
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I was just about to write how ugly this abomination is.
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I don't understand, the article said that the artist designed it to "blend into the landscape seamlessly". How in the world does a giant shiny building "blend in" to anything? That's like saying "I bought this 52 carat diamond ring, because it really blends into the shape of my hand! I just really don't want to call attention to myself". Maybe if it was inside a giant mirrored fun house it would blend in? lol
Mirrors do blend in to the landscape because they reflect the world around it, taking on the colors and textures of things around it. Ever seen the Cloud Gate (aka The Bean) in Chicago?
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It looks cool as a concept artworks, but an actual mirror exterior at the shore would probably look a bit dirty and shabby very fast. It's constantly exposed to the elements and it looks like a nightmare to clean from the outside. Also, having it situated like that and not taking advantage of the ocean view from inside seems like a waste. Ps: Is that a water spout in the background of the after picture or am I imagining things?
I agree, the shape is not that bad, it's the finishing that kills it. I'd either use the stone from the area, or I would use something that plays with the elements and the erosion, something that is meant to change with the exposure to the sea.
Load More Replies... I am glad for your all not so "wow" comments. As an architect I appreciate demand for modest architecture. Every such building with this scale, proportions, materials and placement is heavy burden for the environment. "Making" such a building needs lot of material, manpower, another powers etc. "Using" such building needs so much power to ligthtning, A/C, heating and maintanance in global. Metal facade will reflect sunlight...and so on...And placement is horrible...so extreme weather conditions...so thank you for refusing this no meaning architecture. Thank you for your common sense.
First off..steel and chrome...ew! Why not make it out of stone or concrete? Second...it's nature dammit. Just because it fell into the sea doesn't mean it needs to be replaced.
That is an eyesore. Just leave it the way it is, should we also replace some of the apostles that have disappeared, or fix the London bridge rock formation that collapsed many years ago etc.
I think the architecht and I have two different ideas of what blending into a landscape is
Yeah, you might as well put on a neon flashing sign that says "this contrasts horribly"
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With the top of it open, after the first storm the inside of it will become a huge mess!
Big fat no. Disrespecting nature comes in many forms, and this is one of the ugliest ones. I'm glad it's gonna look uglier and dirtier in no time.
That thing looks ugly and the whole place around the Azure Window will just look uglier because of that ugly thing. Yeah it might be art for the one who made the concept but I don't think it gives justice to the beauty of the ocean view.
Can't wait to see how many migratory birds die crashing into this c**p
I know an architect from Malta who worked with my Pop. He has always been working on amazing projects, but not quite as big as this! I wonder if he moved to Russia?
Cute, thing is underwater there is a cliff that goes down to 60 meters and not much place to make a foundation for this. Today, storms have swept most of the original rock to this depth and the rest is now called "The Azur reef" perhaps it the "artist" had taken the time to have a look around he would have seen it. But I suppose everybody gets his 15 minutes.
I was lucky enough to visit Malta years and years ago. Loved it. (Except maybe the lukewarm beer.) My vote ? Leave it be. That after photo seems to have been taken from the most unattractive angle possible.
I quite like it but the exterior is too bright. If it mimicked the natural rock more closely then yeah I think it would be cool to see this kind of thing. Malta obviously lost a big tourist attraction when the natural stack fell so it would be interesting to see this, so long as it doesn't negatively impact the environment.
I believe that would be nice but what about history they should keep it but then again the museum is for history
They could've just built an information center nearby.
Load More Replies... I was just about to write how ugly this abomination is.
Load More Replies... I don't understand, the article said that the artist designed it to "blend into the landscape seamlessly". How in the world does a giant shiny building "blend in" to anything? That's like saying "I bought this 52 carat diamond ring, because it really blends into the shape of my hand! I just really don't want to call attention to myself". Maybe if it was inside a giant mirrored fun house it would blend in? lol
Mirrors do blend in to the landscape because they reflect the world around it, taking on the colors and textures of things around it. Ever seen the Cloud Gate (aka The Bean) in Chicago?
Load More Replies... It looks cool as a concept artworks, but an actual mirror exterior at the shore would probably look a bit dirty and shabby very fast. It's constantly exposed to the elements and it looks like a nightmare to clean from the outside. Also, having it situated like that and not taking advantage of the ocean view from inside seems like a waste. Ps: Is that a water spout in the background of the after picture or am I imagining things?
I agree, the shape is not that bad, it's the finishing that kills it. I'd either use the stone from the area, or I would use something that plays with the elements and the erosion, something that is meant to change with the exposure to the sea.
Load More Replies... I am glad for your all not so "wow" comments. As an architect I appreciate demand for modest architecture. Every such building with this scale, proportions, materials and placement is heavy burden for the environment. "Making" such a building needs lot of material, manpower, another powers etc. "Using" such building needs so much power to ligthtning, A/C, heating and maintanance in global. Metal facade will reflect sunlight...and so on...And placement is horrible...so extreme weather conditions...so thank you for refusing this no meaning architecture. Thank you for your common sense.
First off..steel and chrome...ew! Why not make it out of stone or concrete? Second...it's nature dammit. Just because it fell into the sea doesn't mean it needs to be replaced.
That is an eyesore. Just leave it the way it is, should we also replace some of the apostles that have disappeared, or fix the London bridge rock formation that collapsed many years ago etc.
I think the architecht and I have two different ideas of what blending into a landscape is
Yeah, you might as well put on a neon flashing sign that says "this contrasts horribly"
Load More Replies... With the top of it open, after the first storm the inside of it will become a huge mess!
Big fat no. Disrespecting nature comes in many forms, and this is one of the ugliest ones. I'm glad it's gonna look uglier and dirtier in no time.
That thing looks ugly and the whole place around the Azure Window will just look uglier because of that ugly thing. Yeah it might be art for the one who made the concept but I don't think it gives justice to the beauty of the ocean view.
Can't wait to see how many migratory birds die crashing into this c**p
I know an architect from Malta who worked with my Pop. He has always been working on amazing projects, but not quite as big as this! I wonder if he moved to Russia?
Cute, thing is underwater there is a cliff that goes down to 60 meters and not much place to make a foundation for this. Today, storms have swept most of the original rock to this depth and the rest is now called "The Azur reef" perhaps it the "artist" had taken the time to have a look around he would have seen it. But I suppose everybody gets his 15 minutes.
I was lucky enough to visit Malta years and years ago. Loved it. (Except maybe the lukewarm beer.) My vote ? Leave it be. That after photo seems to have been taken from the most unattractive angle possible.
I quite like it but the exterior is too bright. If it mimicked the natural rock more closely then yeah I think it would be cool to see this kind of thing. Malta obviously lost a big tourist attraction when the natural stack fell so it would be interesting to see this, so long as it doesn't negatively impact the environment.
I believe that would be nice but what about history they should keep it but then again the museum is for history
They could've just built an information center nearby.
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