Joseph Colombo (died January 1970) was a Maltese architect active in the 1930s, in particular in the Gżira area.
His private residence in Rue d'Argens, Gżira, (block 326–306), known as 'Jeanne 312', has a double front dwelling built in the interwar period. It was shortlisted for the first architectural awards held in 1936. Malta's Planning Authority gave it Grade 2 protection status, saying the building's elevation was exceptional in the way that the traditional townhouse had been reinterpreted in a modernist style making use of strong geometric motifs
Colombo also designed the nearby townhouse which was the residence of his brother Arturo Colombo who had a chequered career as a medical doctor, politician with the Labour party under
Pawlu Boffa
Sir Paul Boffa, OBE (30 June 1890 – 6 July 1962) was a Maltese prime minister (1947–1950) who took office after self-rule was reinstated by the British colonial authority following the end of World War II.Conrad Thake and Quentin Hughes, “Malta: War and Peace”; quoted i ''The Architect'', June 2007 /ref> For many years, it also held the record as the largest clear span building in Malta, making it a unique forward-looking construction.
In 1945 Colombo rebuilt in
streamline moderne
Streamline Moderne is an international style of Art Deco architecture and design that emerged in the 1930s. Inspired by aerodynamic design, it emphasized curving forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements. In industrial design ...
style the Muscats Motors showroom in Gżira, said to be "possibly the best example of commercial or retail modern architecture in the Maltese Islands."
Colombo specialised in reinforced concrete and was the head of the Architecture department at the University of Malta for several years.
Art Deco House in Gzira.jpg, Colombo's private residence, ''Jeanne'', in rue d'Argens 312, Gżira
Modernist_building_by_Joseph_Colombo,_rue_d'Argens_316_Gzira.jpg, 1930s Modernist building in rue d'Argens 316, Gżira
Mira building, Gzira, Malta.jpg, Mira showroom, Gżira
Gżira, Muscat Motors (5).jpg, Muscats Motors, Gżira (1945)