The Kamra tal-Periti and the Planning Authority have officially launched the 2026 edition of the Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia, Malta’s national architecture awards, celebrating excellence in architecture, planning, urban design, engineering, conservation, and the wider built environment.
This year’s edition marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the awards scheme, with the Kamra tal-Periti and the Planning Authority joining forces for the first time to co-organise the event. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting quality in Malta’s built environment and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and responsibility in shaping our towns, cities, and landscapes.
Named after Emanuele Luigi Galizia, one of Malta’s most influential architects and civil engineers, the awards seek to recognise projects that demonstrate outstanding quality, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a positive contribution to society. Inspired by Galizia’s legacy of rigorous attention to detail, civic responsibility, and holistic thinking, the awards continue to champion projects that respond thoughtfully to contemporary challenges while shaping a more sustainable future.
The Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia places particular emphasis on teamwork. Nominations must be submitted on behalf of the complete project team, recognising the collective contribution of clients, architects, planners, engineers, conservation specialists, interior designers, project managers, contractors, and other professionals involved in delivering successful projects.
Speaking on the opening of nominations, Kamra tal-Periti President André Pizzuto highlighted the motivations behind establishing the awards scheme in 2018: “Architecture in Malta deserved to be recognised for its moments of excellence, which are regretfully overshadowed by controversy and resentment. Premju Galizia is one of a series of collaborative initiatives that the Kamra and the Planning Authority are now working on together. Among the most important is one we hope to conclude soon: Malta’s first National Architecture Policy — a transformative strategy for uplifting the quality of architecture across our islands.”
PA Executive Chairman Johann Buttigieg emphasised “the sense of duty the profession should uphold toward our country’s built and environmental heritage” that this collaboration seeks to promote, thereby ensuring that quality, responsibility, and vision in Malta’s built environment become a national ambition. Mr Buttigieg expressed his hope that Premju Galizia would not simply be just another awards ceremony, but a true reward for the commitment to quality.
This year’s programme will continue to showcase projects that address Malta’s evolving realities, including the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, housing and density, public spaces, hospitality, infrastructure, conservation, and urban regeneration. The awards aim to stimulate discussion about the future direction of Malta’s built environment while highlighting examples of best practice across the sector.
The collaboration with the Planning Authority strengthens the awards’ role as a national platform for celebrating excellence and encouraging higher standards in the design, planning, and stewardship of the built environment. It also reflects ongoing efforts to promote a more holistic, people-centred, and sustainable approach to development throughout Malta and Gozo.
Nominations are open until 18th September 2026 at 23:59 hrs.
The Planning Authority and the Kamra tal-Periti encourage professionals, organisations, students, and project teams to participate in this year’s awards and help showcase the quality, innovation, and talent that continue to shape Malta’s built environment.