Mangion Mangion & Partners, Malta Architects, Civil Engineers and Planning Consultants

MMP holds its Annual General Meeting
29th January 2010

This annual appointment initiated the calendar of events marking the 35 years of operations for the Practice. The programme included a review of what happened over the past year, together with an analysis of work plans for the next year. A healthy debate about the Practice is seen as an essential way to stock take the situation. As has become customary, this year the AGM was again held at one of the main hotels in Sliema. Perit Stephen Mangion facilitated the session. Important aspects related to the impact of the prevailing global economic situation, analysis of current and new projects, and continuous improvement.
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2010 – Celebrating 35 Years of Service
15th January 2010

This year the practice Mangion, Mangion and Partners is celebrating its thirty fifth year of quality service to its clients. This makes it the longest established architectural practice in Malta which is still in operation. It is the intention of the Partners to extend this record and continue with the success. To mark such an occasion, a number of activities have been planned throughout this year, involving educational, social, charitable activities. Members of staff will be participating and some activities will also be open to selected members of the general public.
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Celebrating an end to 2009
6th January 2010

At the end of the last day of work before the Christmas Shut Down, members of staff met at a popular venue in Ta' Xbiex to celebrate the end of the work calendar for 2009 and the beginning of a well earned break. The cosy bar at Black Pearl, a rehabilitated old wooden ship, proved to be a good venue to recount some funny stories about the past year. Later on during the week, a second formal activity was organised by the Management.
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Giving an incentive to Green technologies
7th December 2009

In an article published by The Sunday Times of Malta newspaper, Perit Vincent Magri addresses the issue of Planning Agreements between MEPA and proposers of major projects. The way that Planning Agreements are carried out today strengthens the claim by developers that this is tantamount to another form of taxation. It does not have to be so, and the whole issue can be transformed into an added incentive to go green in major projects. The full article can be viewed by clicking here
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MMP appointed as Architects for new Landscaping / Rehabilitation works
13th November 2009

This project foresees the rehabilitation of external areas of three sites at Cospicua. All the three sites form part of the historical fortifications system at Cottonera and two of them include buildings, currently used as residential blocks, which were used by the British military in the last century. This project forms part of the overall rehabilitation effort of the Three Cities and is funded by the Ministry for Information Technology and Communication and the European Regional Development Fund.
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October issue of "the Architect"
14th October 2009

The latest issue of the publication "the Architect", the official magazine of the Chamber of Architects in Malta has now been issued. It includes an article by Perit Vincent Magri about Planning and Environment. The article delves into the specifics of Environmental Planning and informs the readers about the current responsibilities and requirements as related to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. To review the complete article please click here.
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Health and Safety Issues within the Workplace
9th October 2009

The management at Mangion, Mangion & Partners has taken a number of steps to improve Health & Safety awareness among staff. For this reason a number of appointments have been made. Ms. Elvia Mallia was appointed by Management to act as the Health and Safety Officer while Perit Daniel Micallef Grimaud was proposed by the staff as their representative on such matters. Mr. Etienne Bonello is the First Aid officer and has completed a course in the subject and is now a certified First Aider.
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New Service offered at Mangion, Mangion & Partners
4th October 2009

MMP Partner Perit Patrick Camilleri is now registered with the Malta Resources Authority as an Energy Performance Assessor of Buildings (Dwellings). Earlier this year he successfully completed a course in Energy Performance Rating of Buildings (Dwellings) organised by the same Authority in conjunction with the Building Regulations Office. This was in line with MMP's stated objective of Continued Professional Development (CPD) within the firm. MMP is now offering its clients this new service, which measures and certifies the energy efficiency of residential buildings. Such certification will become mandatory in the near future for specific building types.

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Members of staff visit Farsons Brewery
24th September 2009

Organised by the Malta Chamber of Engineers, this visit included a tour of this industrial facility at Mriehel. Part of the tour took visitors to the Process Block, where Mangion, Mangion and Partners had been appointed as the local architects. This block was completed in 1990 and is an automated facility needing only a small workforce to monitor and maintain in good running order. Increase in efficiency and reduced running costs were major criteria considered during the design stage. The structure was hence designed as a box within a box, relying on automated sensors that monitor, amongst other things, the internal temperature, relative humidity and lighting levels. Natural ventilation is maximised through the use of mechanically operated windows. A similar system, which today is being referred to as Passive Downdraught Evaporative Cooling (PDEC) or Passive Hybrid Downdraught Cooling (PHDC) was also designed and installed at the Malta Stock Exchange in 1996.
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Debate on the MEPA Reform
2nd August 2009

Following the publication of proposals by Government for the MEPA reform, Perit Vincent Magri attended two important activities related to the issue. The first was a meeting organised by the Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) in order to help it give its feedback to Government about its proposals. The second was the National Conference organised by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), also aimed to receive comments for improvements to its suggestions. During both, Perit Vincent Magri made very useful contributions related to his area of expertise in Planning. Also as a follow up, the Sunday Times of Malta published the latest of his articles on the proposed reform of the Planning System in Malta. To review the complete article please click here.

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Farewell to thank Perit Victor Cristina
24th July 2009


This month marked the end of twenty years of the career of Perit Cristina as a member of staff at MMP. To celebrate this occasion a farewell dinner was organised Al Fresco at a traditional farmhouse restaurant in the rural area close to Rabat. The Partners of the Practice and his fellow colleagues wish to thank Perit Cristina for his dedicated input and support focusing on project management.
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Coding Colour – the basics in interior design
15th July 2009

Architect Daniel Micallef Grimaud, specialising in Interior Design at MMP, has recently contributed to the Property & Homes spread in The Sunday Times of Malta. In his article he outlined a few basics in colour choices for home interior design schemes. These included do's and don’ts when matching the ideal colour to the desired space. The relationship between mood and colour was also highlighted, a factor which could have a significant effect on the perception of the resultant interior. To read the full feature click here.
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The Malta Environment and Planning Authority Reform
9th July 2009

The Government has published the proposed changes to the Maltese Planning system, focusing mainly on the MEPA. This follows a substantial period of consultation. The proposed changes, among others, include the strengthening of the bond between Environment and Planning through the creation of a new Act, and reorganisation within the Directorates and at decision taking levels. The full text can be accessed by clicking here.
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Passive and Hybrid Downdraught Cooling Systems in Buildings (PHDC):
Cooling without air-conditioning Symposium, Malta,
25th June 2009.

Perit Joseph Cachia attended the symposium which was held at St James Cavalier, Valletta on June 25th and 26th, in which the PHDC partners presented their experience in designing buildings using downdraught cooling systems.

One of the key speakers was Prof. Brian Ford, from the University of Nottingham who in 1986 was one of the consultants to the practice when it formed part of the design team responsible for a new process block at the Farsons brewery. This building was one of the first on the island that was designed to include a PHDC system.

One of the workshops included demonstrations of newly developed software which would enable architects and engineers alike to design a building that would maximize passive cooling and make limited use of mechanical ventilation, hence reducing the running costs of the building.
For more information, go to http://www.phdc.eu/.

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The need for City Managers at Local Council level
5th June 2009

In a recent article published by The Sunday Times of Malta newspaper, Perit Vincent Magri addresses an important aspect related to the Local Council reform in Malta. He proposes the creation of a technical position for a City Manager to complement the role of the Executive Secretary within these administrative areas. City Managers would be responsible for the planning, budgeting and coordination of projects to be carried out within the locality. The full article can be viewed by clicking here

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Property Professionals Discuss Real Estate Market
8th May 2009

Perit Stephen Mangion attended for the Real Estate Forum 2009 which brought together real estate developers, agents, architects, planners, bankers and economists to discuss the latest trends in the functioning of the property markets in Malta, especially in the light of the current global economic crisis. A number of key issues were highlighted and discussed. Among these were the need for further action through Private/Public partnerships, for developments of high quality, for a national branding exercise to be carried out and for an overall vision which is communicated to all.
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Respecting the rights of third parties: Are present development practices acceptable?
24th April 2009

The present day trend to redevelop existing buildings has resulted in a conflict between the requirements of the developer and the needs of the neighbours. In this article Perit Patrick Camilleri highlights some of the problems that arise on a daily basis and points out the need for the relevant authorities to address this issue in a more holistic manner. The full article can be viewed by clicking here.

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Easter Activity Tests Employees' Stamina
5th April 2009

Bright sunshine, a slight breeze and a temperature of around 19 degrees Celsius greeted the MMP hikers that explored the panoramic western coast of Malta. Led by Perit Stephen Mangion who set a very brisk pace for the group, the particularities of the countryside were explored during a day of relaxation. Of particular interest were the spectacular views, the narrow country ways, the countryside chapels, the Maltese garigue with its flowers and wild herbs and of course, the friendly jokes of the group. At the end of the hike, some members of the team also stopped at a popular tea room to sample the best "pastizzi" on the Island.
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The need for Locality Plans highlighted in leading local newspaper
15th March 2009

In his latest article published by The Sunday Times of Malta newspaper on Sunday 15th March 2009, MMP specialist on Planning matters Perit Vincent Magri makes a case for the need of Locality Plans. Such plans should adopt a bottom up approach to include the aspirations of the local communities. The article discusses the benefits that such Locality Plans would have on the formulation and implementation of planning policy at local level. The full article can be viewed by clicking here.

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Simblia Retirement Village Launched by AX Holdings
27th February 2009

Perit Stephen Mangion was present at the launch by Mr. Angelo Xuereb of the Simblia Retirement Village at Naxxar which took place at the HSBC Property Expo at Ta' Qali. The project, designed by MMP, includes 175 apartments and a nursing home and it is based on the concept of a "Three Age" Village which will be home to over 300 elderly residents by the year 2011. The residential accommodation is supported by various facilities such as a restaurant, club, mini-market, spa, hobby areas and a chapel as well as a pool, small amphitheatre and extensive landscaped areas. Construction is expected to start late this year.
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MMP contribution to the Planning System and MEPA reform continues
18th January 2009

As part of the series of Planning Articles in The Sunday Times of Malta, another article penned by MMP specialist on Planning matters Perit Vincent Magri was published by this newspaper on Sunday 18th January 2009. The article discussed the role of Politics and Government in Planning in Malta. This is quite a sensitive topic and the contribution by Perit Magri is aimed at decision makers in their shortly expected reform of the Planning system. The article advocates the importance of seeing Politics as part of the Planning system, yet tries to define specific roles and responsibilities for such an inclusion. In essence, Political input needs to be limited to defining strategic direction, whereas technical Planning decisions need to be left to the real Planning professionals. The full article can be viewed by clicking here

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