MICAS – Malta International Contemporary Art Space

EMDP Ltd.

Completed Projects – Culture. Heritage

Malta

Company Name

EMDP Ltd.

COMPANY COUNTRY:

Malta

ARCHITECTURAL CREDITS

EMDP Ltd.; Ipostudio; AEI Progetti; The Restoration and Preservation Department of the Government of Malta

Project Team

EMDP Ltd.: Perit Mariello Spiteri, Perit Giusi Stagnitta, Claudio Amato; Ipostudio: Prof. Carlo Terpolilli, Lucia Celle, Agnese Cacciamani, Elisabetta Zanasi Gabrielli, Panfilo Cionci, Stefano Combet; AEI Progetti: Niccolo De Robertis; Restoration and Preservation Department: Perit Norbert Gatt, Perit Jean Frendo, Perit Chanelle Busuttil, Perit Gregorio Giubilaro; LeArti: Perit Hermann Bonnici; b.NEL: Ing. Matthew Bonello;

CLIENT OR OWNER NAME:

Malta Intertnatioinal Contemporary Art Space – MICAS

Project Name:

MICAS – Malta International Contemporary Art Space

Project Country:

Malta

Project City:

Floriana

Project Category:

Culture. Heritage

Project Area:

4000 sq. m.

Completion Date:

2024-10-25

Project overview

MICAS transformed an inaccessible 17th century fortification into an international hub for contemporary art. It preserves historic bastions while inserting a light steel/glass building envelope, efficient environmental systems and creates flexible galleries. With a budget for the building of the museum (excluding restoration/surrounding gardens) of €13.5 million (excluding VAT), MICAS turns a former war machine into a sustainable public space for art, learning, dialogue and cultural exchange.

Project history

MICAS answers a national ambition: to give Malta a dedicated international contemporary art space. Initiated in the early 2010s, the project restored the Floriana Lines post 2015, followed by construction of the new galleries inaugurated on 25 October 2024. From the client’s perspective MICAS had to achieve three aims: protect and stabilise a vulnerable UNESCO‑grade landscape; create world‑class, flexible exhibition infrastructure; and position Malta on the global cultural map. For the community, MICAS converts closed military zones into accessible civic places. New paths, terraces, and gardens overlooking Marsamxett Harbour, alongside education programmes, performances, and exhibitions encouraging public participation. Economically, MICAS strengthens cultural tourism and the creative sector; socially offering a shared space where local/international voices meet in a setting acknowledging the island’s past while projecting a future dialogue/cultural exchange.