Better Assistive Living by safeguarding Cultural Heritage
by V&M Contracting Ltd
V&M Contracting have been appinted to conduct masonry and restoration works at Villa Anna Teresa, St.Julian’s.
This unique Estate has aimed to embellish the services on assistive living which it provides to its guests through the propfessional restoration of its buildings and grounds alike.
Villa Anna Teresa provides residential, community and day care services to enhance lives at every stage in a manner which places human dignity at the centre of its operation. The Arrigo Grup of Hotels’ subsidiary Villa Anna Teresa Holdings announced in 2020 its intentions to restore and conserve the villa in its bid to safeguard its cultural heritage and historical integrity, and to leverage its unique environment towards the fulfilment of its core assistive mission.
The Estate has seen a number of alterations, in content as well as extent, over time. The fabric of the Villa is in a typical neo-classical style that was prevalent in early period of the British era. The main façade sits over a raised terrace and rises two storeys above it. It displays a main body, five-bay wide, flanked with slightly recessed wings on either side. The piano nobile is adorned with a stone balcony with cast and wrought iron railings, originally running along the whole breadth of the façade.
V&M Contracting is proud to have been engaged to carry out required masonry and restoration works at this prestigious and unique Villa
The Villa has suffered the expected deterioration brought about by the harsh climate and the pollution. Fortunately, the overall condition of the Villa was fair as it remained in use and some maintenance was being carried out. Some intervention involving the use of cementitious materials has however occurred, and this has also been of detriment to the fabric. The main forms of decay have arisen where deterioration of mortar joints was found, with damage also found on the stonework, via formation of black crust and biological growth development. V&M Contracting is proud to have been engaged to carry out required masonry and restoration works at this prestigious and unique Villa.
The aim of this restoration and conservation intervention was to treat decayand sources of further decay, while highlighting the beauty of the architecture and its natural aging process
The aim of this restoration and conservation intervention was to treat decay and sources of further decay, while highlighting the beauty of the architecture and its natural aging process.
Proper pointing of joints is considered one of the most important aspects of restoration of buildings. Most of the deterioration starts from the loss of pointing. It is of great importance that, in restoration work and in the replacement of masonry of ancient buildings, the correct techniques and materials linked to the history of the construction discovered during the restoration itself are used. With a wall built of globigerina stone like the ones of the Villa and many others from Maltese architectural heritage, this involves the use of a lime-based mortar.
Proper pointing of joints is considered one of the most important aspects of restoration of buildings
It is essential that restoration efforts prioritise the use of appropriate materials and techniques to ensure the longevity of the structure. Lime-based mortar, for example, is crucial for maintaining the authenticity of buildings like Villa Anna Teresa, as it aligns with the construction methods used during its time.
With V&M Contracting on board for the masonry and restoration works, Villa Anna Teresa is undoubtedly in capable hands. Their involvement speaks to the dedication to quality craftsmanship necessary for such a significant undertaking.
The restoration and conservation of Villa Anna Teresa represent a meaningful effort to safeguard an important piece of St Julian’s architectural heritage while simultaneously serving the needs of the community.
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