Citadella UNESCO World Heritage Site

Structural glass flooring and glazing systems installed within the UNESCO World Heritage restoration of Citadella, Malta, carefully integrating modern engineering within a historic setting.

At the Citadella in Gozo, Malta—a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site—a series of walk-on and drive-on structural glass floors and rooflights were installed as part of a sensitive restoration project. The glass installations were designed to integrate seamlessly within the historic stone architecture, allowing visitors to experience the ancient fortifications while preserving the integrity of the original fabric.

Each panel comprised quadruple-laminated, toughened structural glass with a non-slip finish, engineered to support both pedestrian and vehicular loads without compromising transparency or safety. Beneath the walk-on glass, the subterranean exhibition spaces below were visible, enhancing the visitor experience while maintaining controlled internal environments. All fixings and support structures were fabricated in marine-grade stainless steel, ensuring long-term durability in the Mediterranean climate.

The installation represents a precise balance between heritage conservation and contemporary engineering, demonstrating how modern structural glass technology can be employed to celebrate and protect historic environments.

• LOCATION: GOZO, MALTA
• SYSTEM: STRUCTURAL GLASS FLOORS
• APPLICATION: PUBLIC REALM / PAVEMENT INSTALLATION
• GLASS TYPE: LAMINATED TOUGHENED STRUCTURAL GLASS
• LOADING: PEDESTRIAN FOOT TRAFFIC & VEHICULAR TRAFFIC
• SECTOR: COMMERCIAL / CULTURAL
• STRUCTURAL GLASS PANEL THICKNESS: 82.5mm

The Citadella project in Gozo required the integration of modern structural glazing systems within one of Malta’s most historically significant fortified sites and UNESCO World Heritage locations. The challenge was to design walk-on structural glass flooring that would provide visitors with uninterrupted views of the historic structures and archaeological features below while remaining sympathetic to the surrounding heritage architecture. The installation demanded precise engineering to achieve high structural performance, minimal visual impact and long-term durability within an exposed public environment, all while complying with strict conservation and restoration requirements.

Structural Glass Design engineered and installed bespoke walk-on and drive-on structural glass floor panels using laminated toughened glass assemblies specifically designed for public pedestrian loading and maximum transparency. The glazing systems were carefully detailed to minimise visible framing and integrate seamlessly within the historic stone surroundings, preserving the architectural character of the Citadella while introducing a contemporary viewing experience. Specialist structural support detailing and precision installation techniques ensured the glazing delivered both structural safety and exceptional optical clarity, allowing visitors to experience the historic site from a unique new perspective.