Maltese architectural firm Mizzi Studio has been shortlisted for the 2020 Building Design (BD) Architect of the Year Awards.

The firm made it as a finalist in the small projects category thanks to its acclaimed bronze landmark, The Serpentine Coffee House, located in Hyde Park, London.

The BD Architect of the Year Awards is held annually and is an important date in the UK architectural, with several high-profile architects having clinched awards and titles.

For this year’s shortlist event, the announcement was made online on the Building Design website, as part of a full day of online events.

As quoted in the Times of Malta, Mizzi Studio Director, Jonathan Mizzi, said:

“We are honoured to have made the shortlist for the BD Architect of the Year Awards…Not just because of the prestige of this longstanding awards programme, but also because of the editorial direction that BD has taken this year.

“Their focus on the social impact of architecture is an area that truly resonates with us as a team – it represents our constant intention to make a positive contribution to society through design.”

Guardian readers voted in The Serpentine Coffee House as one of the top 10 works of modern architecture in Europe.

Complementing the Coffee House, located at the entrance to Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens, are several smaller timber and brass kiosks, spread across Hyde Park, St James’ Park and Green Park.

“Our work has one main ambition – no matter its size or scope. That is to actively give back to its setting and the people who live within it….We work hard to design spaces that are congruent to their context, that show respect, and that bring about an overwhelmingly positive impact.

“We have been so touched by the way our designs have been received by the public. This peer recognition adds to that feeling of encouragement – which is important at every stage of an architect’s career,” Mizzi said.

The winners of the Architect of the Year Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on 23rd October at The Brewery in central London.