The Chamber of Architects, or Kamra tal-Periti, celebrated “a century of service to the profession and society,” yesterday, 12th June 2020.

In a press statement and video message, the Chamber explained how its foundations were laid amid the Sette Giugno uprisings of 1919 when, despite the turmoil brought about by the riots and the end of the Spanish flu pandemic, the new Governor, Field Marshall Herbert Charles Onslow Plumer brought into force the Architects’ Ordinance on the 25th July 1919.

Less than a year later, on the 12th June 1920, he enacted Government Notice 202, which established the Chamber of Architects, now known as the Kamra tal-Periti.

As the sole recognised professional body representing architects and civil engineers in Malta, the Kamra’s mission “is to support members of the profession in achieving excellence in their practice of architecture and engineering in the interest of the community”.

It is also delegated with the duty of enquiring into any charge of professional misconduct or abuse made against any periti in connection with the exercise of their profession or with professional matters.

Over the years, the Kamra tal-Periti has established itself as the voice of the profession, and has taken on the role of promoting values of economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability amongst its members, as well as promoting beauty in architecture and the built environment.

The development sector as a whole has been placed under increased scrutiny of late, resulting from over-development, the so-called ‘uglification’ of Malta as well as a spate of building collapses.

To this end, the organisation has recently launched a set of proposals ‘A Modern Building and Construction Regulation Framework’.

The proposals are based on 10 main principles, and are focused on regulating the industry, enforcement by the authorities, achieving quality within the industry and promoting health and safety.

Furthermore, Kamra tal-Periti believes that the adoption of these principles would lead to a more sustainable culture.