Grand Harbour Revisited

Grand Harbour Revisited

Speaker: Joanna Spiteri Staines
Language: English

Abstract:

In the light of the recently published plans for the Grand Harbour Revival by the GHRC, it is opportune to talk about another part of Grand Harbour which is in great need of attention. The lecture will centre around the area immediately beyond Victoria Gate, where buildings from the 17th century such as the Old Quarantine Hospital lie in ruin, and on the brink of collapse. This stretch of approximately 600 metres is the first area to be built beyond the city walls, and retains the original interface with the water but in the absence of sufficient historical knowledge, key features such as the steps adjacent to the Old Fish Market have been lost in the recent construction of the landing point for the ferry to Gozo. In this lecture, Joanna Spiteri Staines will attempt to shed light upon the rich layers of history that this area encompasses, in the hope that this stretch too, will also, be restored, revived and rehabilitated.

Entrance is free but registration is required.

About the Speaker:

Joanna Spiteri Staines is a founding partner of Openwork Studio, an interdisciplinary design practice recognised for its award-winning architecture and sensitive approach to historic buildings, context and the environment.

A passionate advocate for architectural heritage, she has collaborated with Din l-Art Ħelwa since 2006 and has served as a judge for its Architectural Heritage Awards since 2012. Her work and research have been presented locally and internationally, including at the United Nations in Paris.

Joanna studied Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Malta before pursuing further studies at the Architectural Association in London. She completed a Doctorate in Restauro dei Monumenti at La Sapienza University, Rome, and later received a British Chevening Scholarship to read for an MPhil in Sustainable Heritage at The Bartlett, University College London.

Her architectural work includes the Malta Stock Exchange and the masterplan for the Pinto Stores and Grand Harbour Cruise Liner Terminal, which received a Europa Nostra Award in 2006. She later co-founded Openwork Studio and NIDUM and currently serves as design director for the ongoing Gozo Museum project.

She was recently awarded the MASP President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement for Services Related to Architecture and Spatial Planning, recognising her distinguished contribution to the architecture and planning profession.

Other Information:

  • Once registration is confirmed, there is no need to print your ticket(s).
  • The lecture will last approximately one hour, including time for questions and discussion, and will be followed by light refreshments.
  • Seating is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Registered attendees will be admitted first, while walk-ins without a booking may be admitted subject to space available on the day.
  • We kindly encourage attendees to arrive in good time. The lecture hall will open for seating 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
  • If you have registered but are no longer able to attend, we kindly ask that you cancel your booking or let us know as soon as possible. We do our utmost to keep our lectures and events free, and this helps us manage attendance and plan seating and refreshments appropriately.
  • Lift access is not available for this event and the lecture hall is accessible by staircase only (2 floors). We regret that this may prevent some visitors from attending the lecture.
  • Please note that this event will be photographed and video recorded for media, documentation and promotional purposes, including press releases, social media and web content, reports, publications and other printed materials. If you do not wish to appear in photographs or video recordings taken during the event, please speak to a member of our photography or filming team on the day.

This lecture forms part of the Notarial Archives Foundation’s 2026–2027 Lecture Series, kindly sponsored by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.