10.00 - 10.30 Official Opening Panel

Open Remarks

Andre Pizzuto, President of Kamra tal-Periti, SHARE Society Ambassador in Malta

Florin Mindirigiu, Co - founder SHARE Architects

Celebrating Architectural Creativity from Europe to Central Asia. Moderated conversation. 

Anthea Huber , Partner Archi+, Malta. Category Winner Completed Buildings - Single House - SHARE Architecture Awards 2025

Project: Winnow

Winnow is a single-family residence set on a 3.3-metre-wide urban plot in Malta. The project explores how spatial constraint can become a driver for architectural quality, using section, light, and materiality to create a sequence of generous, connected spaces. Passive environmental strategies are integrated throughout, resulting in a home that is both climate-responsive and deeply rooted in its context.

Discussions

10.30 - 12.00   Session 1 : "Building on Memory: Inspiring Architecture in Heritage Structures."

Moderator:

National Partner: SISECAM

Peter Valentino, Founder Valentino Architects, Malta

Project: VIP Terminal at the Malta International Airport

Peter Valentino is a founding partner of Valentino Architects, a Valletta-based practice known for its context-driven and collaborative approach to architecture. Valentino Architects' work explores the relationship between design, sustainability, and the social impact of the built environment, with a particular focus on adaptive reuse and contemporary urban living. Our process combines sketching, model making, photography and writing – all of which characterise an ongoing conversation about how architecture can contribute positively to our societies

Danica Cachia Mifsud, partner AP Valletta, Malta

Project: St. John's Co-Cathedral Museum Rehabilitation and Extension. 

AP Valletta is an award-winning architectural and design firm located in Valletta, providing architectural, engineering, interior design and valuation services. Founded in 1991, AP Valletta consists of a multinational and multi-disciplinary team of architects and other professionals. Over the years it has completed a range of projects and achieved considerable success in local and international design competitions. AP Valletta has been especially successful in the development of projects located within complex historical environments, often carried out in collaboration with other partners and specialists.

Paolo di Nardo,   Founder and partner ARX, Italy

Project: Stella Maris

ARX srl was established as a synthesis of diverse experiences and professional expertise in the fields of architectural design, engineering, management, and research in architecture.  Among the recognitions received by Paolo Di Nardo and the ARX studio are the Fondazione Michelucci Award; the Biennale Produzioni Culturali Giovanili dell’Europa Mediterranea Award, the Under 40 Award from the Municipality of Florence; and the ARAUND 50 Award at the Triennale di Milano. Since 2003, he has been the Editorial Director of the scientific journal AND - Rivista di Architetture, Città e Architetti. 

Hanna Johansson, partner BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group, Denmark

BIG is a Copenhagen, New York, London, Barcelona and Shanghai based group of architects, designers, urbanists, landscape professionals, interior and product designers, researchers and inventors. The office is currently involved in a large number of projects throughout Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. BIG’s architecture emerges out of a careful analysis of how contemporary life constantly evolves and changes. Not least due to the influence from multicultural exchange, global economic flows and communication technologies that all together require new ways of architectural and urban organization. 

Discussions

12.30 - 14.30   Session 2: "Designing the Future City: International Best Practice in Contemporary Masterplanning"

Moderator: 

Christian Spiteri, Partner & Founder C&K Architecture, Malta

Projects: Reimagining Malta's Urban Living Experience

Inspired by the geological morphology of the islands, the project fragments a singular block into three smaller blocks, creating a layered and permeable architectural expression. Defined by layers and terraces, the exchange between interiors and exteriors, light, vegetation, views and privacy, the development offers a contemporary and luxurious residential experience that contributes uniquely to Malta’s skyline

Partner: Light Design Sollution

Bledion Baraliu, Co-founder of the company archiEDU, Kosovo

Projects: Prishtina's Pedestrian Urban Island ; Marigona SUN

The primary function of pedestrian overpasses is to connect two locations that usually present difficulties for at-grade crossing, especially due to interference from vehicular traffic. Consequently, overpasses enable the uninterrupted movement of users without obstacles. The main objective of the pedestrian overpass between the Arbëria neighborhood and the Palace of Youth, and further connection through the “Pasarela” to Hotel Grand and the Central Square of the Capital, is to enable the linkage of Arbëria residents with the city square and the main boulevard of the capital. At the same time, it serves as a multifunctional platform where various recreational activities can take place, thereby bringing “life” to this public space, while also functioning as a substitute for a neighborhood park, which is lacking due to the sloped terrain configuration in this part of Prishtina. 

Ken Mackay,  Founding Partner Mackay + Partners, UK

Project: Comporta Eco Resort Development - Portugal

London-based architectural and ID Studio with global projects and offices in New York, Milan and Sydney. Key Sectors are Hospitality, Residential, and Cultural.

National Partner: Planning Authority

Javier Villar,  Founding Javier Villar Architectural Designers | JVAD, SPAIN / JAPAN

Projects: UPI OMOTESANDO; SITE SPECIFIC

Barcelona and Tokyo-based studio JVAD, and former Partner of KENGO KUMA Architects Tokyo for two decades. We will be explaining projects from both practices.

Keynote speaker: Emre Arolat, Founding and Design Partner EAA - Emre Arolat Architecture, Turkey

Projects: Yalıkavak Marina; Nef Gölköy

Emre Arolat works as the design partner of EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture, founded with Gonca Paşolar in 2004, as the continuation of his architectural practice that began in 1987 when he started as an associate designer at his parents’ studio, Arolat Architects. Since that time, he has completed a substantial body of work and EAA is an internationally recognised practice with offices in Firenze and Istanbul, engaged in a wide range of projects, from urban master plans and airports, to residential and cultural buildings, and workplaces. EAA received international attention early on with the Minicity Theme Park (2004), which was selected by the Mies van der Rohe Award for European Architecture. Many international awards have followed, including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2010 for the Ipekyol Textile Factory in Edirne. Emre Arolat teaches and lectures internationally. In 2017, he was Norman R. Foster Visiting Professor at the Yale School of Architecture, where he taught Advanced Studio during the fall semester. 

Discussions

15.15 - 17.30   Session 3: "Beyond Greenwashing: Rethinking Architecture for Sustainability"

Moderator: 

Alberto Miceli Farrugia, Director OpenWorkStudio, Malta

Projects: City of 1000 Gardens; Gozo Museum

Alberto Miceli-Farrugia founded the architecture design office Openworkstudio in 2016 with Joanna Spiteri Staines, Greta Caruana Smith, and Debby de Domenico. He graduated in Architecture from Cambridge University, UK, joining the Architecture Project (AP) in 1991 and becoming a partner shortly after. At AP, Alberto led several projects, including the Dock 1 Gardens, Cospicua (2009 - 2014), and the New Brewhouse for Simonds Farsons Cisk, Mriehel (2009-2013). Winner, Architecture Vision Category, Emanuele Luigi Galizia Awards 2024. Winner President’s Award for Best Overall Project, Emanuele Luigi Galizia Awards 2024 Winner, Urban Planning Concepts for Professional Practices Category, Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning Awards 2022 Casa Ursula: Winner, Interior Architecture Category, Emanuele Luigi Galizia Awards 2024.

Partner

Selim Mimita, Architect Ajmi Mimita international, Tunisia

Projects: Palestinian Embassy in Tunis

Designing the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Tunis is an act filled with meaning. It goes beyond the conventional notions of architecture and aesthetics: it is about designing a SYMBOLIC building that highlights an identity and a cause. Our approach draws from Palestinian poetry the very essence and purpose of the project. Indeed, the verses of the great poet Mahmoud Darwish resonate throughout this poetic architecture. To embody and define the identity of this building, the poetic work of Mahmoud Darwish became the cornerstone of the architectural reflection behind the project. Poetry emerges here as an architectural response — in contrast to war, in contrast to hatred — for a people whose only aspiration is to live. “We also love life, if we can afford it,” said Mahmoud Darwish. 

Rex Bombardelli,  Partner 2Portzamparc,  France

Projects: Antuo Hill Museums, China - Shenzhen; Centre Culturel de Suzhou, China

2Portzamparc & Associés is an architecture and urban planning firm founded by Elizabeth and Christian de Portzamparc, laureate of the Pritzker Prize. Drawing on more than forty years of experience, the studio integrates a wide range of expertise within a single organization. In 2024, the founders were joined by three partners: Thierry Damez-Fontaine, Alexandre Belle and Rex Bombardelli, who have collaborated with more over twenty years. Its multicultural and multi-disciplinary teams operate in the fields of architecture.

National Partner : Building Authority

Anat Stern,  Senior Associate ZAHA Hadid Architects, UK

Projects: Studio-city-phase-2 - Hotel resort Macau; Romeo Roma hotel

Over two decades of experience and expertise in hospitality, residential, cultural, transportation, mixed-use developments and master plans. Leading recognized projects across the globe, including the Alba residences & hotel in Dubai, Hainan Hotel and Serviced Apartments and Mayfair Residential Tower in Melbourne. Serpentine North Gallery in London, Infinitus Plaza in Guangzhou, the Hangzhou Qianjiang New Town River East and the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre in Riyadh. 

Keynote speaker: Jeremy Smith, Design Director Irving Smith Architects, New Zealand

Projects: Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, SCION Timber Innovation Hub; Bach With Two Roofs

Irving Smith Architects is a research-based design practice working in sensitive environments throughout New Zealand and abroad. Key to Jeremy’s practice, teaching, and research is understanding how buildings inhabit an environment that constantly changes, be it in city or rural landscapes. Recognitions:  In his role as Design Director, Jeremy has led a range of design innovations, including winning The Most Beautiful, Innovative and Iconic Building, Dubai International Best Practices Award for Sustainable Development at the United Nations World Governments Summit in Dubai, UAE 2024, World Timber Building of the Year and World Higher Education and Research Building of the Year at the 2021 World Architecture Festival, a Laureate of the 2021 Eurasian Prize for Architecture, the 2021 Best of the Best Green Building Prize at the Masterprize Architecture Awards, the 2021 Architizer A+ Wood & Architecture Award, The Building at the 2021 Indo-Pacific INDE Awards, a Judges Special Award at the 2020 Taipei International Design Awards, a 2019 UNESCO Award of Distinction at the Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Awards in Penang, WAF World Villa of the Year at the 2017 World Architecture Festival. Publications include Architecture Magazine, Architecture Record, Elle, Vogue and GQ Magazine, and most recently, a book with American critic and author Aaron Betsky entitled Unfinished.  

Discussions

Closing Remarks. Invitation to Society Program

18:00 – 19:00 - Archaeological Site Visit - A guided cultural visit for international guests and speakers.

19:30 – 21.30 - SHARE MALTA After Event Party - open-air celebration and networking atmosphere 

23 May 2026 (colaterall program) _ SHARE Architecture Society