Mizzi Studio envisions a contemporary take on Malta’s recently retired art deco bus

Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Thank you for signing up to Wallpaper. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The battle between modernisation and regional character claimed another victim back in 2011, when Malta’s famous fleet of art deco buses was retired due to their age. Usually operated by owner-drivers, the eccentrically varied Maltese bus fleet was considered a unique characteristic of the Mediterranean island, with many painted in bold colours and bright murals. Now a London- and Malta-based design studio has suggested a contemporary alternative, one that combines zero emissions technology with all the visual charm of the originals.
The island had been doubly cursed by the arrival of emissions legislation – not only did it lose many of its distinctive visual buses, but it ended up as the final destination for London’s cast-off ‘bendy buses’. To add insult to injury, the latter were found to be largely unsuited for its network of winding roads. Mizzi Studio hopes to put all that behind it. The new buses are boldly styled and unapologetically art deco in influence.
Malta Bus sketches, by Mizzi Studio, 2015
Jonathan Mizzi and his team have dived into the eclectic history of the island’s bus services and come up with a be-chromed machine that is decorative, playful but completely contemporary, with a zero-emission, all-electric powertrain and sleek, aerodynamic stylings.
Mizzi believes that customisation and individuality were a key part of the original fleet. ‘I fell in love with our colourful Art Deco buses as a child,’ he explains, ‘they were so friendly and to lose them was a devastating blow to Malta’s identity as they truly were one of our country’s greatest icons.’ His team has been working on a replacement since 2012, working in decorative elements that reflect the personalisation of the original fleet. ‘This is a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly bus that pays homage to its heritage and aims to fill the large cultural gap that was left behind,’ he continues.
Visualisation of the new Malta bus design, by Mizzi Studio
There’s abstract imagery in the new buses as well, from the angelic sweep of the ‘wings’ on the front chrome grille to the abstracted Maltese cross formed from the negative space between the curved rear windows. Colours are deliberately bold and the studio has even suggested an LED strip beneath the front screen that allows each driver to name their bus, just as they did in the past.
Aesthetics aside, the new buses would set the island on a path to climate-neutrality, improve the take-up of public transport and help reduce pollution across the island. The designs will go on show at the parliament building in Valleta in July 2019, alongside a model bus and CGI film, where Mizzi hopes to drum up further support for this very personal project with island-wide implications.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Mizzi Studio website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Brooklyn furniture studio Stillmade unveils its first collaborative design series
Stillmade brings to life the designs of four New Yorkers – Pat Kim, Danny Kaplan, Michele Quan and Mignogna Studio
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
Toyota and Jun Takahashi create a limited edition Aygo X
Toyota Aygo X Undercover edition is a city car spliced with a high-end streetwear brand
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Daniel Arsham debuts new work in Paris and New York
Daniel Arsham and Perrotin mark 20 years of collaboration with New York and Paris exhibitions
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Could this Swiss start-up shape a new approach to city travel?
KOMMA presents its Urban Mobility Vehicle proposal as a new bid for sustainable urban travel
By Jonathan Bell Last updated
-
Michael Young designs electric boat concept to replace Hong Kong ferries
Micheal Young is using this quieter time to plan for a more sustainable future
By Jonathan Bell Last updated
-
Is this the future of connected urban transport?
The Zbee is a highly-connected, shared urban transport pod
By Nargess Shahmanesh Banks Last updated
-
Vélosophy refuses to reinvent the wheel with the best of basic biking
There's nothing newfangled about the look of these timeless Swedish bikes – and that's exactly why we love them
By Luke Halls Last updated
-
Bentley EXP 100 GT imagines driving in the year 2035
By Nargess Shahmamesh Banks Last updated
-
Electric boat builder X Shore takes sustainability onboard
By Jonathan Bell Last updated
-
Biomega SIN electric concept car wins Wallpaper* Design Award
By Gabriele Dellisanti Last updated
-
Prince Charles takes us for a spin in his cheese-and-wine-powered Aston Martin
By Simon Mills Published