Joseph G. Huntingford Explained

Joseph G. Huntingford (1926–1994) was a Maltese architect, civil engineer and urban planner who is known for his Modernist works on the island of Gozo, particularly a number of schools built in the 1950s while he worked with the Department of Public Works. Huntingford graduated in architecture from the Royal University of Malta,[1] and his work shows inspiration from Alison and Peter Smithson. Between 1951 and 1961, Huntingford was assigned by the Department of Public Works to Gozo, where he was allowed full architectural liberty. He designed a number of schools during this period, most notably the ones of Qala, Għajnsielem, Għarb and San Lawrenz. He also designed the Technical School and Lyceum in Victoria, and primary schools in Xagħra, Żebbuġ and Sannat.[2] The Lyceum in Victoria is currently being converted into a museum.[3]

The Qala Primary School, inaugurated by Prince Philip on 27 April 1960, is considered to be Huntingford's masterpiece, and it has been described as being one of the few buildings in Malta which were in line with the international architectural scene at the time.[4] The Qala school was partially demolished in 2006,[5] prompting strong condemnation from the Chamber of Architects,[6] [7] although significant parts of the building still stand.[2]

Huntingford also designed some non-educational buildings in Gozo, such as the former MMU milk processing plant in Xewkija. The factory's administration building was scheduled as a Grade 2 building in 2017,[8] after the Chamber of Architects campaigned for its preservation.[9] Although the factory itself is to be demolished, the administration building is to be restored and integrated into a new business centre.[10] [11]

Huntingford left his post on Gozo in 1961, when he went to study for a postgraduate degree in urban planning and civic design at the University of Liverpool.[1] [2] In 1962 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his work designing educational buildings. In 1963 he became a fellow of the Royal Economic Society and an associate member of the Town Planning Institute.[1] He was the chairman of a number of government boards and committees,[1] including a board set up in 1963 to draft a Town and Country Planning Law (based largely on the British Town and Country Planning Act 1947).[12]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hughes. Quentin. Thake. Conrad. Malta, War & Peace: An Architectural Chronicle 1800–2000. 2005. Midsea Books Ltd. 9789993270553. 249.
  2. Book: Muscat. Mark Geoffrey. Maltese Architecture 1900–1970: Progress and Innovations. 2016. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti. Valletta. 978-99909-3-206-5. 108–111. Post-War Manifestations.
  3. News: Leone Ganado . Philip . Winning design for new Gozo Museum unveiled . . 23 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160627042706/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160623/local/winning-design-for-new-gozo-museum-unveiled.616441 . 27 June 2016.
  4. Farrugia . Jason Joe . The Art and Architecture of Twentieth Century Gozo . The Gozo Observer . June 2012 . 26 . 20–21 . 4 February 2019.
  5. News: Zammit . Rosanne . Demolition of architectural gem starts . . 25 March 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160424131534/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20060325/local/demolition-of-architectural-gem-starts.59157 . 24 April 2016.
  6. News: Architects object to demolition of Qala school . . 3 January 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190204173744/https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20060103/local/architects-object-to-demolition-of-qala-school.67522 . 4 February 2019.
  7. News: Chamber Of Architects condemns demolition of school in Qala . . 25 March 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190204173746/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-03-25/local-news/Chamber-Of-Architects-condemns-demolition-of-school-in-Qala-89073 . 4 February 2019.
  8. News: Former milk factory in Xewkija given protection status . . 29 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180925060734/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-03-29/local-news/Former-milk-factory-in-Xewija-given-protection-status-6736172239 . 25 September 2018.
  9. News: Architects want safeguard for old Gozo milk plant . . 14 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161117131959/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20161114/local/architects-want-safeguard-for-old-gozo-milk-plant.631007 . 17 November 2016.
  10. News: Spiteri . Adrian . Permits issued to restore old milk factory in Xewkija . . 5 October 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171006220943/https://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/permits-issued-to-restore-old-milk-factory-in-xewkija/ . 6 October 2017.
  11. KTP News . The Architect . December 2017 . 7 . Chamber of Architects . https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174906/https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/tA077.pdf . 4 February 2019.
  12. Web site: Kirsimaa . Kerli . Exploring Institutional Evolution in the Development Planning System of a Small Island State: Malta . https://web.archive.org/web/20190204172802/http://edepot.wur.nl/278191 . 4 February 2019 . . 68 . October 2013.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Joseph G. Huntingford".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.