Noise. Dust. Cranes. They seem to have become the buzzword in a country that feels like one giant construction site. But Vassallo Builders is acutely aware of the impact its operations have on the public and is taking concrete steps (no pun intended) to mitigate the effects of its construction and development projects. “Everyone in Malta is fed up of the dust, noise and waste generated by construction sites,” concedes Jonathan. So what can be done about it? Starting with the waste problem, Vassallo Builders is undertaking waste separation at sites, sending steel to be recycled and using crushers to reuse stone as aggregates on larger sites, or disposing of them according to legal requirements on smaller sites.

The company invested in new brick-cutting machines that spray water to control dust emissions, and hand-powered tools now have a vacuum attachment to control dust particles. On construction sites, where heavy work is taking place, or near noise-sensitive areas, they invested in advanced noise monitoring systems to ensure sound levels remain below certain decibels, prioritising community wellbeing and environmental responsibility, and all sites are covered with hoarding to keep the area surrounding the construction zone neat and tidy.

On development sites where Vassallo Builders has the opportunity to select the finishing materials, the company consistently seeks to implement the most innovative, sustainable, and environmentally efficient methods, ensuring projects integrate cutting-edge solutions for long-term sustainability. This commitment is reflected in the use of insulated facades, double-glazed windows with thermal breaks, and solar film to maximise efficiency. Vassallo Builders are exploring advanced hot water heating systems, such as heat pumps, and optimising roof spaces for solar energy installations or green roofing to further enhance the environmental performance of their projects.

“We put all the services in one shady area to ensure the rest of the roof is available for solar panels installed by PowerEzi,” explains Jonathan. All Vassallo Builders projects include an underground rainwater reservoir with enough capacity for irrigation requirements, as well as firefighting needs when necessary. And AI will further help change how the industry operates, “hopefully for the good”, by improving the management of construction processes thanks to better data. All these sustainability measures come at a cost of course, but Jonathan pointed out that Vassallo Builders were “never ones to be shortsighted”. “We look at the big picture and believe the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment,” he says, adding that VB projects are future-proof.

“We are looking at the next generation. We believe that eventually, energy prices will no longer be subsidised and the true cost of energy will be passed on to the consumer. When that happens we will be prepared, as all our buildings are Energy Class A compliant.” Delving into the challenges faced by Vassallo Builders, Jonathan says one of the biggest and most pressing remains manpower and skills shortages. “It’s become a very big problem for us. This year, productivity was not what we had hoped for,” he said, adding that staff development remains crucial and half the workforce is already enrolled in training during 2025.

Now that the Mediterranean College of Sport has been completed, the challenge is to capitalise on that momentum and keep it going over next year, ensuring that the 80 people working on MCS are redeployed immediately so that projects are “on track, on schedule and on budget”. “The transition is always challenging to make… The way we have resized operations means we need to work on building new partnerships, manage supply chains and relationships with subcontractors to help with our commitments next year.” The island is not unaffected by world politics, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East causing spikes in the cost of raw materials and delays in supply.

“We are being careful not to enter into any contracts which do not foresee these risks, or impose all the risk entirely on us. It has to be handled clearly and fairly. With limited natural resources and storage capacity, we can only adopt a reactive approach when it comes to material supplies. The next few months will be critical.” In addition to its core construction business, Vassallo Builders incorporates several other divisions, including scaffolding, joinery, steel, and prefabricated units the “unsung heroes which provide a really valuable service and complete the colour spectrum of Vassallo Builders”.

Looking ahead, Vassallo Builders is gearing up for an exciting year of major projects, including residential developments in Buġibba, Birkirkara, Sliema and St Paul’s Bay. Notably, the company will also undertake the expansion of Dar Bjorn in Żebbuġ. Adding to the momentum, Vassallo Builders has been awarded the Finishing Works and Internal Doors of the new football stadium in Ta’ Qali, and is on the verge of signing an agreement to construct a new private school in Mtarfa. It promises to be a milestone year for the company.