New book about Richard England's works

A new book about the works of Richard England published by the prestigious publishing house Wiley-Academy is to be launched tomorrow by Culture Minister Louis Galea.

An exhibition with photos, drawings and sketches, some of which are featured in the book, is being held at St James Cavalier, celebrating 40 years of architecture by Mr England.

The book was written by Edwin Heathcote, an architect and writer who contributes to the Financial Times and other specialist architectural and design journals. It carries photos, drawings and illustrations with a critical text. Mr Heathcote is flying to Malta tomorrow for the launch.

Wiley-Academy was founded in 1807 and by the turn of the century became established as a leading publisher of scientific and technical information. Two leading architects are chosen each year and books are published about their works.

"Architecture is a vocation. Unfortunately, many are using it as a money-making machine. Architecture is equated with the construction industry, when it should be building plus poetry," Mr England told The Times.

"I am baffled by what we are doing in Malta. Our tradition has been not to waste. We had been practising sustainable development before the term became known. In the 16th century, when Valletta was built, every house had to have a well and a cellar. The stones hewn out to create such spaces were used to build the house. Yet today, we have thrown all those principles away.

"In a sun basked island, why do we not have prolific use of solar energy?"

"Why not utilise old buildings instead of covering more and more virgin land with rather unpleasant buildings? The major concern now is not where and how to build but where we should not build. I am not sure anyone is able to take such a bold decision," he said.

Mr England said the exhibition contained many sketches as he wanted to emphasise that architects must draw.

"In this age of computers many architects have forgotten how to draw. William Blake said we become what we see.

Sketching is translating to paper what the eye sees. Projects evolve at the design stage. It is a long working process," he said.

"I draw 50 or 60 sketches of a project before I start working on the architectural drawings. As I sketch, I often jot related inspiring quotes around the sketch. These quotes set the stage for my designs".

Going round the works exhibited, Mr England went down memory lane to the time when he was an architecture student.

"I was mesmerised by Gozo. I used to spend weeks there. In the late 1950s we could cycle from San Lawrenz to the Citadel. There were only a few flickering lights. It was very idyllic and romantic. Sadly, it's all gone. So I try to recreate it with my sketches. Sketches enable you to leave unpleasant things out."

Standing before a sketch of terraced hills at Ramla, he says he is "trying to unlearn what 40 years of architecture taught me. Architects draw in straight lines and right angles. It is not easy to get out of that rut, but I am trying hard".

Stopping before photos of the City Gate project, which he designed, Mr England pauses and draws a deep breath.

"This is our yo-yo. It has been in and out and on and off for 10 years. I do not want to go into the merits of the project. But City Gate cannot remain as it is. The only time we get consensus in this country is when nothing happens. Everybody agrees to grumble, but nothing happens. Our city deserves a better entrance," he said.

Several works on display feature chapels and churches.

"I like designing sacred places. They represent a special challenge. You have to create a bridge between the profane place and the sacred space.

"Again, quotes inspire me a lot. But as with any other project, it is not what you do but how much love you put into it. The Pope recently said that God is not the old man with a beard and stick. God is welcoming and loving, caring and loving. So my designs for chapels are simple: where the priest talks with, rather than down to, people," Mr England said.

"One of the most touching moments I had recently was during a visit to the millennium chapel in Paceville at about 1 a.m. There were 11 people praying silently.

"A youth came up to me asking if I was the architect, and on saying yes, he told me 'thank you. I really find solace coming here.' I was lost for words and thanked him for such a compliment. I was glad to learn that people can find comfort in a place I designed in the midst of Paceville," he said.

He muses before an artistic photo of the shadows sculpture on the Sliema promenade.

"They are the only transparent people in Malta. It's just a fun piece and it became a point of reference on the promenade," he said.

"These days I am doing things that I enjoy. If someone comes with a concept for a project I do not like, I turn him away. I am working on a chapel for Hal-Farrug. It is still at an embryonic stage but I love what I'm doing. I'm also writing and working on a book about the concepts of space in our temples. I do the odd project abroad and lecturing in Malta and abroad as well."