ĦAĠRA DAY 6: The Island Effect & Rethinking Policy

The "island effect" uniquely shapes architecture in Malta, with its limited land, harsh climate, and strong cultural ties influencing design decisions. Join us for an afternoon of discussions with Muarizio Oddo, Corrine Vezzoni and Guillermo Reynés.

Presentation by Muarizio Oddo for Maurizio Oddo Architects

Time: 16:00 - 17:00

Italian architect and academic Maurizio Oddo brings a deeply analytical lens to architectural practice, grounded in both design and historical research. Holding doctorates in Architectural Design and History of Architecture from the Universities of Catania and Palermo respectively, Oddo is also a professor at the University of Enna "Kore." In 2002, he co-founded Studio BoMa with Alessandro Barracco, completing projects such as Casa Ditta, the New Library of Enna, and Piazza Belvedere of Triscina.

At the Ħaġra Festival, Oddo will present a selection of his work, illustrating how his practice weaves together scholarly inquiry and built form. With past curatorial projects his contribution to the field extends beyond architecture —into architecture as cultural discourse.

Presenation by Corrine Vezzoni for Corinne Vezzoni & Associés

Time: 17:00 - 18:00

Born in 1964 and raised in Morocco, Corinne Vezzoni began her architectural studies in 1987 at the École d’architecture de Marseille. In 2000, she co-founded Corinne Vezzoni et Associés alongside Pascal Laporte and Maxime Claude. The firm has since established a reputation for its thoughtful and diverse body of work spanning architecture, urban design, and infrastructure. Rooted in a commitment to contextual responsiveness, the practice resists repetition in favour of site-specific solutions—where function, materiality, and place shape the final form.

Rather than imposing upon a site, the studio seeks to engage in dialogue with it, revealing what already exists and building from within. At Ħaġra Festival, Vezzoni will present her firm’s work and creative ethos: an architecture that embraces complexity, takes creative risks, and composes distinctive narratives for each project—never as objects in isolation, but as meaningful additions to their surroundings.

BREAK from 18:00 till 18:15

Presenation by Guillermo Reynés for GRAS Reynés Architects Studio

Time: 18:15 - 19:15

Spanish architect Guillermo Reynés, founder of GRAS-Reynés Arquitectos, brings a grounded yet globally aware voice to Ħaġra festival. With early experience at influential firms like MVRDV and Carlos Ferrater, Reynés has shaped a practice that favours thoughtful design rooted in local context, innovation and sustainability.

His firm’s work ranges from elegant homes to ambitious urban plans—prioritises reuse, collaboration, and quality of life. At a time when architecture often loses touch with reality, Reynés reminds us that building well means building with respect: for place, for people, and for the planet.

Roundtable Discussion - The Island Effect & Rethinking Policy

Time: 19:30 - 20:30

The "island effect" uniquely shapes architecture in Malta, with its limited land, harsh climate, and strong cultural ties influencing design decisions. Architects face the challenge of creating buildings that are not only resilient to intense heat and saltwater corrosion but also responsive to the island’s evolving social and environmental needs.

However, rapid urbanisation driven by policies like the Development Control Design Policy of 2015 has transformed streetscapes, often disregarding Malta's architectural identity. This unchecked development raises urgent concerns about preservation, scale, and context. To safeguard what remains of the island’s heritage, it’s crucial to rethink these policies, prioritizing adaptive reuse over demolition.

Only through thoughtful, context-driven intervention can Malta’s future architecture balance progress with respect for its unique character and history.