Letter from the President
A Legacy of Excellence
Dear Periti,
Today marks a special day in the calendar of our profession: the opening of nominations for the 2025 edition of the Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia. These awards were conceived as a celebration of our profession in all its complexity and interdependence.
The Kamra’s awards are not solely about acknowledging the work of individuals; they are about recognising the importance of multidisciplinarity and the specialised skills behind high-quality projects. Nominations must therefore be submitted as a complete team, with the names and consent of every role – client, lead periti, structural and services engineers, planners, conservation specialists, interior designers, project managers, and others. This ensures that when a project is shortlisted or wins, the entire team shares in the recognition.
Good architecture is not only about strong design concepts, but also about effective engineering and meticulous detailing, urban form and spatial impact, sensitive conservation strategies, skilled execution of works, and the stamina and financial backing of clients. The Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia is about celebrating professional integration and collaboration, as well as the diversity and richness of our profession.
This year’s edition interrogates the theme of change. In particular, it addresses the transformations Malta’s built environment has undergone over the past decades, but also engaging in a discussion about the need to set a new direction for the future. The Kamra has spoken out about the need for change for many years. Today, I can proudly say that it is a protagonist of this change – charting a course forward in many fields that affect our built environment and taking leadership through bridge-building, persuasion, integrity, consistency, and the adoption of measured and professional tones.
As many of you know, the Kamra has recently been entrusted by the Building and Construction Authority with the delicate task of drafting a complete set of building and construction regulations – an unimaginable scenario only a few years ago. We are also in advanced talks with the Planning Authority on the creation of Malta’s first National Architecture Policy, which we are hopeful will positively transform the practice of architecture and the quality of our built environment in an unprecedented way.
Constructive discussions are also underway with several other entities on how to improve our daily professional lives while ensuring that our work has a positive impact on our communities, our environment, and the economy.
We are mindful of Malta’s realities and seek every opportunity to engage in open and constructive dialogue to bring about positive change. These awards provide a powerful platform for the Kamra and the profession to lay out its vision for our built environment, and to show that what we believe in and aspire to is indeed possible. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to demonstrate to the wider public that our profession can be a force for good in this country.
The award categories are equally grounded in Malta’s realities. They encompass everything from breathing new life into historic structures, to crafting homes and workplaces for a dense and evolving island, to designing for visitors and shaping public spaces. In choosing these themes, we have taken inspiration from Emanuele Luigi Galizia’s values: rigorous attention to detail, a sense of civic duty, and a holistic view of how buildings sit within wider systems. We want these awards to reflect how our profession grapples with today’s challenges while honouring a tradition of public service.
Submissions are now open and will close on 26 September 2025. I encourage you to visit premjugalizia.org to explore the categories, timelines, and submission guidance. There, you’ll find information on the roles that need to be acknowledged, the materials required, and the broader narrative behind this edition. It is important that all members of a project team consent to their inclusion – this ensures recognition is shared.
Last year’s edition taught us that when we recognise complete project teams, the awards become more meaningful. The feedback we received has been encouraging and constructive, and we have listened carefully to your suggestions. These awards belong to all Periti: they are an opportunity to showcase the best of what we do collectively and to set a benchmark for the future of our profession.
The Council and I invite you to take part – to nominate your work and that of your peers – and to use this platform to demonstrate the power of multidisciplinary collaboration. Together, let us honour the legacy of Galizia by creating architecture that serves our society, respects our heritage, and embodies the highest standards of professional integrity.
We look forward to receiving your submissions and to celebrating the breadth and depth of our beloved profession.
Your sincerely,
Andre Pizzuto
President
President
