Parliament's roof to be flooded as test ahead of works to tackle leak damage

Valletta’s parliament building will undergo tests to carry out necessary structural maintenance works, including flooding the roof to address the constant leakages the iconic building experiences, Speaker Anġlu Farrugia said on Wednesday.

The studies will determine the cause of flooding and leaks which happen following bouts of rain and investigate what caused the deterioration of the building’s bridges. 

In April, the two footbridges on levels one and three, which connect the Chamber to an office block, were closed due to signs of structural damage. The underlying area has since been closed off, and those who need to cross from one structure to another must walk through level minus one. 

Access to the two bridges have been closed off since April. Photo: Giulia Magri

Marking its 10th anniversary since it held its first sitting in May 2015, the €90 million Parliament building was designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano. 

Yet, concerns about the construction quality followed shortly after the building opened its doors. In 2019, Farrugia vented his frustration at the poor quality of the building, highlighting concerns of structural and equipment damage due to leaks in the House. At the time, he showed photos of the mould-covered walls and rusting steel works caused by “constant leakages”.

Now, six years later, a team has been employed to carry out intensive investigations and necessary maintenance works on the building, with plans for the works to begin once parliament adjourns for summer recess. 

The details of the structural works on the building were announced during a press conference held by Farrugia, Affordable Accommodation Minister Roderick Galdes and architect Raymond De Micoli.

Farrugia said the building is a symbol of democracy and deserves the necessary investigations to keep it in top shape.

“There have been moments when I have had to highlight the necessary work the building is lacking,” Farrugia said. “I believe it is also in the interest of the people that such maintenance is carried out, so the building does not come to a stage where it deteriorates so much that it will become irreparable.”

No ‘cosmetic’ changes to the building

On his end, Galdes said a detailed investigation will take place to understand the maintenance necessary for the building. He emphasised that no ‘cosmetic’ changes will happen to the building, simply maintenance works.

He said the investigations will be carried out by Malita Investments plc, the company which holds the title of the building. Investigations will also take place on the conditions of the Opera House, the open theatre adjacent to the parliament building. 

“Like every other building, this building needs monitoring and work to maintain its symbol of democracy and modern architecture,” he said. 

Galdes said following the investigations, the building's roof will be flooded as a test to understand where the leaks are happening and to address them.

“We do not want to raise any alarm about the state of the bridges; we will be carrying out studies to understand what has caused these damages,” De Micoli said.

He explained how architects will be investigating the state of the bridges, highlighting especially how water passes on the bridges, which have shown signs of rust in certain areas of the bridges. He also explained that the team will investigate why the bridge ‘vibrates’ when people walk on it. 

When questions on the cost of the maintenance works and an estimated timeframe for when works will be completed, the Minister said so far, there is no indication of how long works will take or cost as tests must indicate what maintenance work is needed first.