Creative Projects is the brainchild of a husband and wife team Stephen and Helen Bezzina, who have been in the business of providing pioneering solutions for the construction industry since 1990.
Their work is inspired by generations of workers who have left their mark on a number of historical buildings in Malta, and more notably in the Mosta area where they are currently based.
Their products, which are a result of innovation and creativity have been installed in factories, schools, offices and apartment buildings. Design & Build gets to know more about some of these solutions.
Stephen Bezzina hails from a family of engineers and individuals with strong technical backgrounds. His main inspiration was drawn from the works of his great grandfather Master Mason Salvu Zahra whose legacy lives in historical buildings around Mosta which include the Sacred Heart Oratory, Villino Dimech, the Holy Family Church in Bidnija. He had also undertaken the repair works required on the Mosta Dome following damage inflicted onto the cupola when a World War II bomb had penetrated its ceiling. If that did not serve as enough inspiration, his grandfather was an engineer with the British Forces, so it seemed inevitable that Stephen would follow that line of work.
Creative Projects was founded in 1990, with a vision of creating long lasting quality products. Although their initial product consisted of the installation of frames and boards, they soon realised that using eco-friendly materials was paramount to drive sustainable construction; a matter which was always close to their hearts and business objectives.
In 2014, Creative Projects extended their product offering to the manufacturing of lightweight panels. A carefully studied process resulted in the panels being patented, and Creative Projects obtained a coveted exclusive-rights license, for a twenty year period with the Industrial Property Registrations Directorate (IPRD).
Currently operating in their hometown of Mosta, Creative Projects’ portfolio of products include wall and roof insulation services which provide effective solutions against damp and humidity – issues which are all too common in Malta. Other services include lightweight insulation construction panels, paint products, sound proofing and custom-made furniture including kitchens.
Both buildings were designed by Stephen’s great grandfather Master Mason Salvu Zahra.
moisture stimulates the growth of mould releasing spores in to the air, leading to all sorts of possible illnesses and ailments
With a mindset wholly based on innovation, investment and sustainability, Creative Projects are continuously evolving, not just locally but also internationally.
PIONEERING SPIRIT
Stephen’s pioneering spirit led him to develop termite free, anti-humidity boards that range from a minimum thickness of 4mm – generally used for internal application. The boards range up to 10mm in thickness and are thus suitable also for external projects.
Stephen explains that this solution stems from the high incidence of mould that is a result of humidity and damp that is widespread in Malta. If untreated, Stephen went on to explain, the building can start to decay, causing structural damage, which can be very costly to repair. Stephen also pointed out that damp and humidity also pose a health risk as moisture stimulates the growth of mould releasing spores into the air, leading to all sorts of possible illnesses and ailments such as arthritis, rheumatism and asthma. Moreover such environments can become breeding grounds for pests such as cockroaches and other vermin.
The boards consist of a mix of silica, fibre, resin and cement. Purchased as a standard offering, the boards are then customised to Creative Projects’ own specifications and design.
the solution being applied by Creative Projects is as versatile as it is effective
These anti-humidity boards provide the perfect solution for walls which have high levels of humidity, whilst the thicker boards provide a strong grip for the installation of tiles, granite, marble, stone skin and other products usually affixed to outer walls. This solution keeps material fixed intact for many years without any problems – proof of this is a sample that has been in their offices since the 1990s, as well as the innumerable installations Creative Projects have executed which are still standing today in the same pristine condition as when they were installed decades ago!
INSULATION
Insulation is an energy savings measure, that until recently was more often than not overlooked. Insulation reduces heat loss in buildings in cold weather and reduces heat surplus in warmer weather. Thus, insulation limits the need for heating or cooling the house, resulting in substantial savings on electricity bills. Whilst many people associate the installation of insulation products with high investment costs, the solution being applied by Creative Projects is as versatile as it is effective, thus also making it easier to install and more cost effective.
The insulated boards which have standard dimensions of 120 cm x 240cm are easy to fit to the floor, wall, or ceiling. Constructed with a layer of polystyrene which is compressed as the board is moulded, their thickness of 16mm is split into 10mm of polystyrene and 6mm anti-humidity boards. This makes it strong and fire resistant insulation board which is light, easy to fit and resist humidity and mould. The boards are waterproof and non-corrosive, resistant to heat, termites and high impact – the latter depending on the thickness installed. Stephen is keen to highlight that there is no asbestos present in this product. These boards are the new generation of materials that give the strength, durability and elasticity – all wrapped into one simple solution.
“ This product is deal for new buildings or refurbishment projects. It not only meets all current building regulations, but also provides excellent thermal performance which is up to 100% more efficient than many mineral fibre products which saves on energy bills.”
The flexibility with which one can install these panels, which come with a ten-year guarantee and are ISO Certified, is immense
BUILDING UNITS – SMART LIGHTWEIGHT
Lightweight Insulated construction has become one of the most popular construction methods in the modern Western World. . Apart from being cheaper than most traditional building methods, the speed with which one can construct a building is a major selling point. Stephen points out that the use of these methods – due to the reduced thickness of external walls, one can safely guarantee an additional 6% of floor space.
The insulated panels and planks are manufactured from 60mm thick compressed layer of polystyrene which is placed between two high quality construction boards and moulded into strong fire retardant, water and humidity resistant panels which are estimated to be superior to the conventional mortar and brick buildings.
The flexibility with which one can install these panels, which come with a ten-year guarantee and are ISO Certified, is immense. For example, Stephen explains that when it comes to the installation of electrical and plumbing services, these are installed inside the wall cavities making installation, quicker, neater and cleaner as dust and debris are drastically reduced to a bare minimum.
Apart from being ISO 9001:2015 certified, these products are also tested by the MCCAA
Alternatively, Creative Projects can install top, bottom and vertical service shaft systems that are manufactured within the panels to allow for customised design which enable panels to be finished to various specifications including plastering, stone cladding, tiles and other decorated finishes.
Creative Projects are not limited to just insulation products. They have also a selection of high quality paints that can be used internally and externally and which provide a high level of UV protection and can withstand the harshest of elements. A selection of construction related products – coving, gypsum, lighting, parquet flooring, skirting, and metal works compliment and complete their portfolio of services.
INNOVATION
Stephen’s pride in the product is palpable. After all it is a result of thirty years of constant innovation and investment in technology and expertise. Though the development and work put into it are cards that he keeps close to his chest, he ensures that his employees are fully trained to install the product up to the high standards which he expects his own clients to expect.
Creative Projects’ Insulated Light Weight System is pre-fitted with a high quality finish; selectable form a wide and varied range of options.
Creative Projects have become well known and respected within the construction industry and have been serving a number of architects who seek their expertise on such solutions. Their project portfolio keeps flourishing not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of variety – penthouses, extended balcony spaces, extensions of smaller rooms into larger rooms, basement garage spaces insulated against humidity – the list keeps increasing.
The time and effort put into the product is such that it is ISO Certified which affords him the possibility of exporting the product within the European Union. Various testing procedures are undertaken to ensure product performance as well as to remove any possible minimal defects in the product. In the year 2013 the certification process was included for the light weight wall panel (SM EN 826:2013) and light weight ceiling planks (SM EN 12089:2013). Apart from being ISO 9001:2015 certified, these products are also tested by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA). Creative Projects’ commitment towards sustainability has led them to work on environmentally sustainable projects.
employees are fully trained to install the product
These efforts are complemented by their commitment to source their raw material from leaders in green building materials industry who are also ISO 9001 accredited.
EVOLVING SPIRIT
As their market span increases, so has their need to move into larger premises. Creative Projects’ vision, as Stephen is proud to highlight, is to have enough space to continue manufacturing operations within the same infrastructure wherein research for new and useful eco-friendly products occurs. Stephen explained that works are being carried out as we spoke on their new four hundred square meter factory premises in the limits of Naxxar, which they intend to move into as soon as possible. “If anyone were to argue that, thirty years down the line, our passion for the business may have weaned, they would be very wrong. Research and development have enabled us to achieve some very noteworthy results of which we are immensely proud of – this keeps the motivation going to keep investing in new technologies and products for the years to come,” Stephen concluded with a smile.
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