Two young Maltese architects, Andreas Vella and Nigel Cini, have been selected to exhibit their architectural installation “CUT – Unlocking Space in Dense Cities” at the 19th Edition of the Venice Architecture Biennale.

The exhibition, entitled TIME SPACE EXISTENCE, will take place from 10th May to 23rd November 2025 at Palazzo Mora in Venice.

This international platform, renowned for spotlighting groundbreaking architectural concepts and stimulating global conversations on urban living, has chosen their installation for its daring yet pragmatic approach to Malta’s urban zoning challenges.

Rooted in their mutual interest in Malta’s uniquely dense cities and complex built environment, Andreas and Nigel’s project tackles the stark contrasts generated by current zoning policies.

CUT specifically addresses the abrupt transitions between Malta’s historic Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs) — typically made up of low-rise, two-storey residential buildings — and adjacent high-rise developments that often reach ten or more floors.

The architects highlight how these sharp contrasts have created undefined “buffer zones” that currently lack clear urban policies.

As a result, picturesque UCA streetscapes — cherished for their historic charm and coastal views — are frequently overshadowed by towering buildings that block sunlight and sea vistas, which is a significant loss given Malta’s coastal setting.

In response, CUT proposes a radical yet practical intervention: a horizontal incision at the third-floor level across seafront developments. This design concept would create a continuous public corridor, reconnecting inland UCAs with the sea. The corridor would be accessible through historic piazzette and the promenade, restoring both visual and physical links to the coastline.

To offset any private space lost due to this intervention, the architects suggest relocating the affected third-floor areas to an additional rooftop level. Given that many seafront buildings already exceed 10 floors, this redistribution would minimise visual impact while safeguarding property owners’ interests.

Though conceptual, the project aims to provoke meaningful discourse on urban policy, spatial reuse, and equitable development. Andreas and Nigel stress that the installation is not intended as a definitive solution, but as a bold starting point for rethinking Malta’s urban future — highlighting the opportunities that can emerge from within current challenges and constraints.

Their inspiration stems from years of conversations and exploration within Malta’s dense urban landscape. Since their undergraduate days studying for a Bachelor’s in the Built Environment at the University of Malta, both have shared a passion for forward-thinking solutions and have actively participated in exhibitions focused on the future of Maltese architecture.

Their journey toward TIME SPACE EXISTENCE began in the summer of 2023, when they immersed themselves in the island’s bustling streets and began crafting a response to the Biennale’s theme: INTELLIGENCE. NATURAL. ARTIFICIAL. COLLECTIVE.

With Andreas’ expertise in structural engineering and Nigel’s focus on urban planning, the duo approached Malta’s pressing urban issues through a collaborative and complementary lens.

CUT represents their shared vision of regenerating the built environment through thoughtful, transparent interventions that open up a dialogue between heritage and progress.

Will you be visiting this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale?