The Blue Lagoon Rehabilitation

The Blue Lagoon Rehabilitation: Balancing Nature and Experience, is a national initiative dedicated to restoring ecological balance while improving the visitor experience at the iconic Natura 2000 site, the Blue Lagoon in Comino, Malta. Mizzi Studio was appointed by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism in Malta The project is a key part of MTA’s strategy to alleviate pressure on the site through thoughtful, restorative, and low-impact intervention, while also encouraging visitor access to other key cultural sites across Comino.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most widely recognised natural sites for its crystal-clear waters and surrounding coastal garigue habitat. 

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In order to clearly understand and truly protect the lagoon, the Studio has created its own Digital Twin -  a highly detailed, immersive replica and 3D model of the site. It has allowed us as designers to audit and assess the island from close-up details to wider views, testing design interventions in harmony with nature, with sensitivity to the ecology, geology, and topography. The first of its kind for a nature reserve in Malta, it was created from over 30 hours of drone flight, more than 4,500 photos, and 2 billion data points, enabling proposals to be shared clearly with stakeholders and the public. Its realism provides an unmatched understanding of the lagoon and its habitats.

"You can’t protect what you don’t truly understand." – Jonathan Mizzi, Director of Mizzi Studio

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With this detailed understanding, the design of the Blue Lagoon Rehabilitation responds directly to Comino’s ecological and geological context. Interventions are carefully considered to harmonise with the landscape, guiding visitors safely along existing paths, providing safer access, and improving order and comfort without disrupting the natural environment. Traditional and natural materials complement the site while upgrades to sanitation, resting points, and food and beverage kiosks, along with a refurbished information and enforcement centre and unified signage, help make the lagoon more legible and welcoming for everyone.

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Over recent months, Mizzi Studio has worked closely with environmental NGOs, public entities, and local stakeholders to shape the rehabilitation proposals. Collaborations with BirdLife Malta and other e-NGOs have provided insights from monitoring Comino’s unique birdlife and habitats, helping to ensure interventions are sensitive and supportive of the island’s ecology.

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With the planning application submitted in October 2025, the project will now progress through the full planning process, including continued consultations with the Planning Authority, Environment and Resources Authority, and other stakeholders. Mizzi Studio continues to work collaboratively and humbly to contribute to a rehabilitation that supports Comino’s natural environment while improving accessibility and experience for visitors.

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Through careful planning, sensitive design, and ongoing collaboration, the Blue Lagoon Rehabilitation aims to protect the island’s natural beauty while improving the experience for all who visit. By combining ecological restoration, thoughtful interventions, and the insights gained from the Digital Twin, the project seeks to ensure that Comino can be enjoyed responsibly today and preserved for future generations.

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