The rehabilitation of a radio relay station : adaptive reuse of industrial heritage

Abstract

The adaptive reuse of the industrial buildings contributes to the preservation of industrial heritage assets through repair and maintenance strategies addressing the needs of the structures. The ex-Deutsche Welle Radio Relay Station was constructed on the Xrobb l-Ghagin peninsula in Malta and operated between 1974 and 1996, transmitting over a wide region. The radio station consisted of a complex of buildings and large transmitting antennae. Following the closure of the station, the buildings were used in fish farming related activities for 10 years after which the complex was left in a state of disrepair. The location of the station exposed to an aggressive coastal environment further led to severe degradation of the structures. A comprehensive restoration strategy was developed and applied in the rehabilitation of the radio relay station and its transformation into a Sustainable Development Centre as an Educational facility and Nature Park, based on sustainable refurbishment principles.