Heritage Malta is in the final stages of restoring a small yet architecturally unique historic building at the entrance of its headquarters in Bighi, Kalkara. Known for its unusual octagonal shape, the structure is one of the rarest examples of its kind in Maltese architecture.Built in 1898 as part of the British Naval Hospital complex, the single-room structure was originally designed as a “smoking shed,” a space where hospital officers, doctors and patients could smoke away from the hospital wards.Historical records show that a similar shed once existed elsewhere in the hospital complex, at the site of today’s Esplora Centre. That earlier building, constructed in 1889 with a slightly different design, was lost sometime after the Second World War. Both structures appear in historic aerial photographs documenting wartime damage.The shed’s significance lies not only in its aesthetic and historical value but also in its innovative design. Constructed in globigerina limestone, the building features large openings on every side and a timber-and-zinc roof that created passive ventilation.Warm air and smoke would rise through the central grille and exit via the louvres at cornice level, while fresh air entered through the lower openings. Additional ventilation was created by wind passing through an upper lantern, generating low pressure within the ceiling to draw smoke upward- a highly sustainable solution for its time.The structure also reflects the approach of British engineers unfamiliar with Maltese limestone. To ensure stability, they reinforced the lintels of the openings with small iron beams and used large bronze staples to secure the cornice courses.“Over the years, the building suffered substantial deterioration, especially in its upper section. In 2015, Heritage Malta carried out the first preventive interventions, which included the dismantling and storing of the roof structure, the stone cornice, and the apertures, all of which were stored at Heritage Malta’s Bighi headquarters. The restoration of the smoking shed is part of a broader regeneration project at Heritage Malta’s headquarters. The initiative aims to restore the historic British Naval Hospital while creating a functional and pleasant working environment for the agency’s staff, which includes administrative offices and conservation laboratories,” wrote Heritage Malta in a statement.This project highlights Heritage Malta’s commitment to preserving Malta’s unique architectural and historical heritage while adapting it for modern use.Tag a history buff•