Mizzi Studio took this task extremely seriously. Using laser imagery, photogrammetry and over 30 hours of drone footage, they created a ‘digital twin’ of Blue Lagoon.

This ensured that any proposed interventions were based on the exact geographical proportions of the site and respected the environmental sensitives of it.

“It’s the truth of a space and place from every angle – long-distance, medium, short, aerial, seeing the site while travelling from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr,” Mizzi said of the digital twin.

“How can you start protecting anything if you don’t understand the space?”

Here are some of the key proposals of Mizzi Studio’s vision.

1. A return to rubble walls

The vision will retain the main pathways to and from the Blue Lagoon, while allowing people to explore off the beaten track.

However, since the garrigue has suffered degradation due to excess human trampling, sensitive ecological sites will be ring-fenced through ropes and traditional rubble walls.

“Rubble walls are the existing boundaries of Comino, so if you’re going to put up another wall, you have to draw on what already exists, and that’s what makes our island what it is,” Mizzi explained.

“It’s our craft, which becomes our culture, which gives you a sense of place and belonging.”

Enforcement checkpoints are also envisioned along the trails, to ensure the protection and eventual healing of up to 35,000 square metres of garrigue.

2. Extending the swimming zones

The Blue Lagoon swimming zones increased by 12% this year, and Mizzi Studios is proposing it extend by an additional 8% – to a total of 20%.

They are proposing replacing the landing jetty with a floating pontoon, better safeguarding the marine environment in the process and protecting the heart of the Blue Lagoon.

3. Cutting out the concrete

Over the years, unnatural concrete was laid around the Blue Lagoon, including at the docking island, but Mizzi Studios is now calling for a reversal – ie physically cutting out the concrete and replacing it with stone.

“It’s like an unwanted lesion that you must cut out, extract and heal,” Mizzi explained. “And then it should be reconstructed with stone shaped by the functionality we require for safe passage. We come from an island of limestone, we have a history of carving stone, and there’s a way of crafting stepping stones so that we can tread lightly on the island.”

To allow safe passage, they are proposing corrosive-free resin railings and locally-sourced stone paving that can be re-hammered every few years to maintain slip resistance.

4. A proper information and enforcement centre

An old building that is currently being used as a toilet block and a centre for the administrative team is now being envisaged as an information and enforcement centre.

This would include surveillance rooms, as well as proper first-aid and medical staff, upgraded access for all WC, and an information reception area.

This also means shifting the waste management collection centre – with a longer term vision for the future where waste could be processed centrally with the help of NGOs who want to use biodigesters and support permaculture.

5. A new vision for the kiosks

The number of kiosks at Blue Lagoon has ballooned over the years, and they’ve become something of an eyesore for people landing in the bay.

Mizzi Studios are proposing a major revamp, with a single kiosk permitted at the bay itself – not operating out of a van but out of a nature-inspired reconstituted stone functional sculpture designed to be an extension of the natural landscape and mimicking the strata shaped by erosion.

That kiosk will only be allowed to sell water and ice cream, so as to limit the amount of food waste at risk of ending up in the sea. With all the other kiosks moved out of the bay, around 200m of scenic walkway will be freed up for the public.

Meanwhile, the main food and beverage offerings will be pushed further inland to a site currently occupied by a car park. The new food pavilions draw inspiration from nature, ancestry and craft, fused with technology to create local stone fluted arches that support a green roof shading canopy which further enhances biodiversity.

This will provide shaded resting areas where people will be able to sit down and eat while looking out at a gorgeous sea-view.

“It’s about nourishment with a beautiful view,” Mizzi explained.

6. The promotion of local produce

Mizzi said these food operations should focus on serving local produce – supporting struggling Maltese and Gozitan farmers and giving tourists the authenticity they crave.

“Let’s create a supply chain and celebrate our watermelons, citrus fruits, pomegranates and prickly pears,” he said. “Tourists want authenticity. Look at the Amalfi lemon drinks that are synonymous with the region. We have it all here and it’s so unique.”

He added that the food & beverage operations should be plastic-free and that drinks should be served in either biodegradable cups or reusable ‘Comino Cups’ which tourists could choose to purchase as a souvenir.

Mizzi said that Malta needs to design itself out of the pressures ultimately caused by the island’s attractiveness to outsiders.

“Malta is one of the most culturally rich countries in the world. We go from pre-history to the Knights to our own independence, we’re at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, and as a result have been colonised by many empires. We have the most incredible weather all year round and can swim six-nine months of the year. We speak English, and we have huge business benefits and that is without going into our natural heritage and our beautiful coastal bays,” he said.

“And this attracts a lot of people, added to pressures from migration. It all comes to this absolutely beautiful microcosm of an island that suffers from all the pressures humanity has globally, and we feel it considerably here”

“The world has been caught out by our shortcoming of understanding exponential growth, however, through sensitive architecture and ecological design we can craft a harmonious living future for all. If we get this right and we all come together to develop solutions, wouldn’t it be a great story for Malta – to lead in sustainable and regenerative tourism.”

 

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