Architecture firm AP Valletta has been named a winner in The Architecture Review Future Projects 2025 awards with their multidisciplinary project ‘Valletta Accra’. 

The design was a culmination of practices headed by AP Valletta, David Derban and Ann Dingli, as “an encompassing research methodology for heritage regeneration design based on parallel observation and evidence gathering,” according to the firm.

AP Valletta’s Osu Salem Presbyterian School in Accra, Ghana reimagines how the school, which served as a key educational centre, can be preserved while injecting new purpose. 

The building is currently in a state of dilapidation. However, for almost 140 years the school was an anchoring point for producing notable intellectuals, scholars, physicians, attorneys, architects and city mayors. With the passing of time it fell into neglect, and this project seeks to capture its importance in Ghanian colonial history while reimagining it into a cultural hub for the community. 

The structure was imagined to be restored, while maintenance of the timber structure would allow a flexible programme of modern facilities and versatile spaces. This could include a multipurpose hall, library, an archive documenting the legacy of Basel mission in Ghana, and a “hall of fame” for success stories. 

“The project’s success will rest on its ability to authentically reflect the cultural life of Osu, safeguard the treasure of its past and further define the identity of life in this part of West Africa," the Maltese architecture firm's website read. 

The school has been named winner in the New and Old category, and highly commended in the award’s Overall category. 

AP Valletta is one of Malta's leading architecture firms, and has positioned itself as a global thought leader in the field. Their design philosophy places a strong emphasis on honouring the historical contexts of spaces while innovating to address contemporary challenges. This approach bridges Malta’s past and future, ensuring that architectural heritage serves as both a cultural touchstone and a resource for modern urban life.