acla:works News
East Port of Spain Design Charrette
Last week acla team Gary Turton and Mandilee Newton participated in a design charrette on East Port of Spain. acla are the local architects [in conjunction with Jenifer Smith] on an international collaboration with Dover Kohl and Partners. It was an intensive ten day workshop based in East Port of Spain analysing the 'Comprehensive Development Areas' -- these include Port of Spain South, Quarry Street/ John John, Picton/ Eastern Quarry, Laventille/ Trou Macaque, Success Village and Sea Lots. The exercise is part of a larger effort being initiated by the East Port of Spain Development Company to uplift the area.
Participants at one of the daily evening pin-ups/ critiques. Yes, that's the back of Gary's head, right.
100% Local, 100% Success!
Recently, the Building & Construction Magazine in the Trinidad Guardian published an article by the Trinidad & Tobago Institute of Architects, hailing a local team of architects, designers, contractors and suppliers. It was a highly positive, highly motivating article for the local construction industry that has been hard hit by the goverment's predilection for using foreign skill and labour. Read the article here. 
An Architect’s View of Port of Spain
The latest issue of the Trinidad Guardian's Building & Construction magazine has an article on downtown beautification by acla:works director Gary Turton. Gary offers a ten-point perspective: [1] improved drainage and underground services, [2] better sidewalks and tree lined streets, [3] mass transit system within city limits (see: Transit Oriented Development), [4] multi-story car parking on perimeter of city, [5] maximise retail shop frontage, [6] green roofs, [7] public art, upgraded museums and a museum of modern art (see: Percent for Art program), [8] preserve and protect built heritage, [9] higher density, mixed-use, mixed income developments, and, [10] planning. Read the article here.
Court Design in Session
Recently, Directors Junior Thompson and Gary Turton participated in a workshop entitled Court Facilities: A Primer for Planning, Design and Construction. The workshop was delivered by a partnership of the National Center for State Courts in the US and the Judiciary of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Junior and Gary are currently engaged in acla:works projects involving the design of court facilities. Junior is involved in completing the final report for the CDB funded Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Halls of Justice Project in 9 jurisdictions in the OECS; acla:works won this commission in the final quarter of 2010. Gary is involved in refurbishment works and accessibility upgrades to the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, originally designed by UK architect HKPA in collaboration with Anthony C. Lewis Associates [now acla:works] back in 1981.
The workshop provided acla:works with up-to-date information on the latest trends in court facility planning and design, as well as an opportunity to do an in depth review of a case study: the St. George West, Magistrates Court in Port of Spain. The workshop was equally useful for members of the judiciary, and other key users of court facilities in Trinidad and Tobago. It afforded the participants a broad view of the complex issues related to users, security, spatial adjacencies, and support systems, which are required for the proper function of a modern court. Whilst acla:works holds considerable experience in this area, the firm constantly welcomes opportunities to improve its expertise, and therefore is grateful that the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago invited the firm to participate in the workshop.
(above) Hall of Justice, Trinidad
Speaking of Design . . .
Last month, a couple of acla:works team members were invited to speak at separate conferences.
On September 15 acla:works associate, Mandilee Newton, presented at the Institution of Structural Engineers' conference, Environmentally Sustainable Construction – Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change. Mandilee spoke about the applicability of the LEED rating system to the region and offered anecdotal advice on the challenges one can expect to face as an architect and LEED practitioner in the region. [For reading on this topic, check out Mandilee's 2010 white paper, LEED – A Caribbean Architect’s Perspective.]
On September 28 acla:works director, Gary Turton, spoke at AmCham T&T's 15th annual HSSE Conference. Gary spoke about green design and sustainability – opportunities and barriers. acla:works projects – Ministry of Public Information and Administration [MPAI], Environmental Management Authority [EMA] and acla:works' new offices – were used as case studies in the presentation. Gary's presentation was well received and stimulated a lively discussion within the audience.
Above: acla:works' projects – MPAI, EMA, and our new offices.
New Manikin Review
It's been almost two years since acla:works published Manikin, a book on the work of Anthony C. Lewis – our firm's founder and Trinidad and Tobago's first local architect.
On publication of the monograph, there were several book reviews, notably "A Manikin for All Seasons" by B.C. Pires and "New Book Captures Lewis' Architectural Legacy" by Simon Lee.
Since then, naturally, press on the book has died down. So, earlier this month, when we received Issue 037 of Archivos De Arquitectura Antillana magazine, we were happy to see a new review . . . in Spanish. Thankfully, acla:works director, Peter Chandler, is fluent en Español and translated the piece into English so we could all read it.
You can read it, too, here. For the Spanish version, click here.
Brian’s Photo Blog #5: Sedona Workshop
In June, I attended the Hasselblad Medium Format & Panoramic Photography Workshop in Sedona, Arizona. Led by Peter Lorber and sponsored by Hasselblad, this five-day workshop focused on the Hasselblad H4 camera series. Assisted by Eric Peterson, Field Application Specialist from Hasselblad USA, and Courtenay Gilbert of Custom Photo Images, Lorber demonstrated the use of specialised panoramic robots using Hasselblad cameras and software by Phocus, PTGui Pro, Autopano Giga and Pro, and Adobe CS5.
It was five days of grueling work and often involved waking early so as to make it to stunning panoramas in Sedona to catch the dawn light. This was followed by long hours in a computer lab being taken through the various software programs. With only six to eight workshop attendees, there was plenty of personal tuition, and each of us had a dedicated Hasselblad camera with access to a full range of lenses.
Specialised panoramic robots from Novoflex, Seitz Roundshot VR Drive, and GigaPan Epic Pro were used to make sweeping panoramas well beyond 180º. This took over 10 minutes shooting over 100 images [50 MB each], then stitching all the photographs together in a single panorama of such density that you could print stunning, high resolution images exceeding 48” x 240”.
The workshop was a lot of fun and hard work. Below are a couple images of the group in action, and one of my favourite shots. Additional Sedona workshop photos can be viewed on acla:works' Flickr page.
Above: At work in the field. Image © Courtenay Gilbert.
Above: At work in the lab. Image © Courtenay Gilbert.
Above: River scene, Sedona. Image © Brian Lewis.
Developing an FM Culture
Last week Thursday, acla:works associate Mandilee Newton presented at the 3rd Annual Caribbean Facilities Management and Maintenance Conference held by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Mandilee – who was invited to speak in her capacity as acting VP [Research & Development] of the Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council – presented on the topic of greening existing facilities. Other presenters included Gerard D'Arcy of RGM Limited, Bruce Melizan of Interserve, and Iain Murray of Europa.
The conference was opened by Minister of Public Administration and Information, Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan.
Above: Mandilee delivers her presentation. Image © Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce. For more photographs of the conference, click here.
Reigle Writes About Us
How did acla:works land the honour of being a case study in the new book, Positioning for Architecture and Design Firms? Well . . .
For the past 5 years, I have routinely attended the annual American Institute of Architects [AIA] Conventions. At the 2009 convention in San Francisco, I signed up for a course on Strategic Planning for Architects, which was led by Jack Reigle of SPARKS. I was very impressed with Jack and we chatted about the possibility of him coming to Trinidad. I also read a copy of his book, Silver Bullets, and decided that he would be the best person to benchmark our firm against other cutting edge firms that he would have met in the U.S. Jack agreed to visit and, in June 2009, he led a three-day strategic workshop at our office.
Because we had already envisioned the Caribbean Outreach approach and the formation of Mesh – a group of consultants that could offer an integrated project delivery service across the region – we also decided to include the full group in one of the half-day sessions during the workshop.
Jack thinks best on his feet and was able to work with the group to refine the Mesh concept to what it is today. Obviously, Jack was suitably impressed with our inputs and we are proud that he decided to include acla:works as a case study in his latest book, Positioning for Architecture and Design Firms.
You can read the entire acla:works case study chapter here. [Kindly note that this PDF is © 2011, Jack Reigle, and reproduced with the permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.]
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Better Together
If you happen upon the current issue of MACO Caribbean Living magazine, check out an article called "The Mesh Solution" – it highlights the strategic alliance that acla:works formed in 2009 with six other industry professionals: BBFL Phillips Ltd [civil and engineering], ENCO [mechanical engineering], idesign Ltd [interior design], Prime Project Managers Ltd [project management], Skinner & Joseph QS Practice [quantity surveyors], and Talma Mill Studios [landscape architecture].
The main focus of the article is how our alliance, Mesh, works in order to streamline project delivery within the region. According to the text: "Although Mesh relies heavily on innovation and technology to move projects forward, the personal relationship with clients—no matter how large or small the project—remains crucial to the group's practice. Brian Lewis, a director of acla:works, noted that 'The value Mesh brings is that it provides state-of-the-art project delivery services within the Caribbean.'"
For a PDF of the article, click here.
Two Issues, Two Directors, Two Articles, Many Thoughts
Sustainable Design and Building Information Modeling are two issues constantly present in acla:works' output and thinking. In today's Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, two of acla:works' directors – Gary Turton and Brian Lewis – share a few thoughts on these two topics . . . and quite eruditely, if we may say so ourselves!
In the first article, Gary talks about the architect's role in sustainable development, and the challenges faced. You can read the article here.
Similarly, in the second article, Brian opens up the debate about 5D Building Information Modeling, and the obstacles that potentially hinder its implementation. That article is here.
Got a few questions or thoughts about either of these articles or anything else in our publications section? Then give us some feedback – we enjoy a good debate!
Earthquake-proof Architecture
On May 4, acla:works director, Gary Turton, delivered a paper at the Global Earthquake Model [GEM] Conference co-sponsored by the UWI Seismic Research Centre. Held at the Kapok Hotel in Port of Spain, the conference was a regional launch of GEM – a global collaborative effort to establish uniform and open standards for calculating and communicating earthquake risk worldwide. [Download full programme and book of abstracts here.]
Engineer Tony Gibbs, a regionally-based expert on earthquakes, chaired the panel discussion that Gary sat on entitled, “Architecture and the Safety and Vulnerability of Buildings in Earthquake Zones.” Gary’s talk, “Seismo-resistant Architecture” examined the critical role architects play in the design of buildings in seismic zones, since building composition – which is established primarily by architects – greatly determines a building’s ability to withstand earthquakes.
Above: GEM workshop participants. Image © UWI.
Gary recognized a potentially unfortunate fact that “Caribbean Architects and Engineers, while we may not be able to convince lawmakers of the criticality of prioritizing building code legislation before being faced with a devastating earthquake event, must persist in this pursuit as well as lead building innovation in seismo-resistant architecture in this part of the world, as we are vulnerable to earthquake devastation.”
The role of the architect and engineer in protecting the lives of people is underscored in the wake of natural disaster. After the earthquake in Port-au-Prince last year, the Haitian government, with the support of the international community, began to translate the International Building Code [IBC] to French for use in the reconstruction effort and for a better built environment in the future for Haitians. This is the same code that CARICOM nations have been unsuccessful in adapting to our conditions for years now, even though it is already in English.
On the other hand, Japan – despite devastation in Sendai from a tsunami – has buildings that withstood the largest earthquake in its recorded history [9.0 on the Richter scale], thanks to continuous innovation in earthquake resistant design, and evolution of the country's standards and codes over the course of its unfortunate history of earthquake devastation and war.
Gary presented standards and strategies in which architects should be versed in, in order to increase a building’s earthquake resistant capacity. Early incorporation into the building design would not only make the design process more economical [as it is shared with structural engineers], but also encourage a better integration of structural and architectural design. This could lead to truly inspiring building expressions, comparable to some of the exemplary works around the world by leading architect - engineer collaborations.
Our MOU with S&P
We're happy to announce that acla:works and UK-based S&P Architects have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU].
S&P has more than 25 years of design experience on projects ranging from small-scale, mixed-use schemes to major international venues. Their particular expertise lies in sports and leisure, especially in sporting venues which are funded by mixed-use and residential developments. The firm currently employs 70+ staff in offices in London, Nottingham, and Glasgow, and a few of their recent projects include the National Aquatic Centre [Ireland], the Crawley Community Stadium, and the London Aquatic Centre [with architect Zaha Hadid] for the 2012 Olympic Games.
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Above: S&P project thumbnails.
An MOU sets out broad terms for collaboration on projects and, in the case of our MOU with S&P, these projects will be specific to sports facilities in Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the Caribbean. According to acla:works director, Gary Turton: "This type of collaboration is a win-win situation where the strengths of each firm are beneficial to projects and clients, particularly in the Caribbean where international expertise is matched with local/ regional expertise."
Read about our recent collaboration with S&P here.
A TT + UK Collaboration
At the end of last week [and over the weekend and early this week] acla:works had the opportunity to work with a few of our British colleagues. We'll explain.
Last year our firm went in as part of a team bid on a multiple facility, design-build project. Other members of the team included local construction firm, Kee-Chanona, and UK-based firms Kier and S&P Architects and Interior Designers. A couple weeks ago we found out that we'd been shortlisted for the project, and that we would have roughly a week to prepare for The Big Presentation.
Realising how critical it was to get everything right, our colleagues—Tim Corrigan and Jim Ryan from Kier, and Mike Marlow and Isabella Luger from S&P—flew in to work with acla:works director, Junior Thompson, and the Kee-Chanona team headed up by Tommy Chanona and Tony Laban. Together they spent a few intensive days huddled in acla's conference room creating, editing, and revising presentation materials. Also present at these sessions: support in the form of Lisa from Kee-Chanona, Melanie from acla:works, and ample amounts of coffee and tea.
The presentation on Monday went well and, although we have no idea yet whether we will get the job, we're very happy to have met and worked alongside the warm and talented people behind the emails [and phone calls and Skype calls and faxes].
We'll post any updates on this project as they come.
Final presentation checks. Clockwise from left: Tony Laban, Isabella Luger, Tim Corrigan, Mike Marlow, Tommy Chanona, Jim Ryan.
Isabella and Junior practice presentations in the kitchen.
Final final presentation checks! Clockwise from left: Melanie, Mike, Tommy, Jim.
A Forum [or Two] for Good
We're honoured – acla:works has been asked to speak at two forums, both of which take place next week. If you're in Trinidad, we hope to see you there. Here are a few details:
Director Gary Turton will speak at the first ever Caribbean Construction Forum [on Reconstructing Haiti]. This forum takes place March 21 and 22 at the Hyatt Regency, and will address "issues and challenges facing the sector regionally with specific focus on the situation in Haiti."
Gary is participating in Session Five – Emerging Trends in Design – which takes place Tuesday March 22 from 10.30 am - 12.15 pm. His focus, along with co-presenter, Josh Bone, will be how Integrated Project Delivery/ Building Information Modeling can be used to help in reconstruction efforts.
Later in the week, acla:works associate Mandilee Newton will speak at the EMA's Green Business Forum, which takes place March 23 and 24 at the Trinidad Hilton. This forum's main objective is "to develop viable options for developing a greener economy for Trinidad and Tobago."
On Thursday March 24 at 3.00 pm Mandilee will serve on a panel with the theme, Increasing Economic and Competitive Advantages through Environmental Improvements. She will deliver a 10-minute presentation on the Green Building Council’s strategies to encourage architects, developers and planners to implement green technologies in their plans and codes.
Have a question about either of these presentations or forums? Feel free to leave us a comment here and we'll answer as best we can.
And, as usual, watch this space for post-event reports.
Ferrostaal
Last July we wrote about a fit-out we were designing in collaboration with Barbados-based firm, idesign limited. We're happy to report that this job – the regional headquarters of German industrial services company, Ferrostaal – is now complete.
According to acla:works director, Peter Chandler, who was one of the design principals on the job [idesign's Giselle Crayston was the other]: "It was challenging because of the timeframe in which it had to be done and the level of detail and precision required by our German clients. Our original time-saving approach was to use more prefabricated components in the design. Because of restrictions in time, we looked for local prefab alternatives to meet our expectations but we didn't always find them. This challenge led to our development of a set of standard details we could use in future interiors projects of this caliber."
Construction Outlook for 2011
In today's Guardian there's a special section called Building & Construction: Restructuring the Sector. The lead story in this section – Construction Outlook for 2011– was written by acla:works director, Brian Lewis.
Brian begins the article by stating: "We are now witnessing the final stages of the dismantling the construction industry in Trinidad and Tobago as most of the foreign consultants and construction companies close up shop and leave our shores or reduce their operations to a skeleton staff.
A number of established local consulting and contracting companies that were involved in projects during the recent boom have either collapsed or are now working on a 4-day week having laid off staff in an effort to survive the period of markedly reduced construction activity that characterizes the past couple of years. In short, the construction industry has been in a stalled state and this article will look at a few ways it can be jump-started.
Short, medium and long-term strategies will be needed to get the construction industry back to health. Yes, a jump-start is needed to get it going again but not just by injecting money into new projects. The opportunity should be taken for a major overhaul of the industry to enable it to achieve its full potential in the medium to long term."
Brian speaks of this process beginning with "a restoration of trust and confidence in the industry," and continues by providing a ten-point plan for consideration. Points in this plan include: Settle Amounts Owed, Settle Disputes, Establish Dialogue, Implement Uff Recommendations, Sustainable Development, and Policy for Local Content & Participation.
You can read all ten points in plain text via our Publications / Writings section here, or you can read a scan of the article by clicking on the image below or by going to our Publications / Newspapers section here.
We’re in Business!
acla:works has a wee bit of real estate in the new Oxford University Press textbook, Caribbean Business [written by Mark Wilson with Patrice Bowen and Anthony Rogers].
According to the OUP website, "Written by an experienced author, Caribbean Business is a comprehensive and accessible new full colour text that clearly addresses all of the concepts in the latest CSEC syllabus. Features plenty of current Caribbean case studies and guidance on the business plan component of the SBA and includes a CD-ROM with exam-practice questions."
acla:works is one of those "current Caribbean case studies" – we're featured in Chapter 5, "Production." Director Gary Turton was interviewed, and talks about the firm and its use of technology, notably, BIM.
Thank you, Mark, for inviting us to share a little about our practice through this scholastic avenue.
Upwall Visits
Last week Thursday D.C. based architect, Gregory Upwall, visited acla:works. Greg was in Trinidad and Tobago to speak at the Energy Conference: his presence there [and in T+T] was made possible by DaCosta Gwendoline, Ltd. – a strategic partner of Greg's firm, Studio Upwall. Greg met acla:works director, Peter Chandler, at the conference; they got to talking and Peter invited Greg to our office to share with us a bit about his practice.
Greg started his presentation with a brief explanation of how he came to be invited to the Energy Conference, and then touched on his [relatively] recent move from San Francisco – where he had first set up his practice – to D.C.
Although he does commercial projects, sustainable housing makes up the majority of Greg's practice. He spoke about this – that we should seek to find "regionally appropriate solutions" to housing issues. He spoke as well of making soul-impacting decisions, and lamented that "we once knew how to make places that were places." [Text continues after the break]
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Above: Greg Upwall at our office
One residential work that Greg highlighted was the P.A.A.V. project. This AIA award-winning modular hillside pod/office was designed and constructed in just three months by a team comprising Greg and five students at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where he taught.
In addition to demonstrative slides of his own work, Greg referenced the practices of Rural Studio and Glenn Murcutt and the written works of James Howard Kunstler [The Geography of Nowhere] and Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake [Refabricating Architecture].
Ultimately, Greg's message was this: Passive First. In other words, if we are looking to build sustainably, we should first concern ourselves with building for climate and in harmony with the environment before considering the implementation of costly systems into our buildings.
The William McDonough quotation – "How do we love all the children, of all species, for all time?" – rounded out Greg's presentation, and started enthusiastic discussions on the local application of that question.
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Above: Greg talks about passive design in relation to housing
Green Motivations
The Trinidad and Tobago Green Building and Energy Efficiency Workshop formed a part of the TT Energy Conference 2011, which was held last week at the Hyatt. acla:works associate Mandilee Newton spoke alongside Barry Giles [www.buildingwise.net] and Greg Upwall [www.upwallarchitects.com].
Barry laid the context for the green movement, speaking about LEED® and other related trends in the USA. Greg spoke about his pedagogy and practice of architecture and his motivations towards green; and Mandilee spoke about the Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council [TTGBC], the carbon context, going green and looked at a case study, the EMA building.
The audience of about 70 was represented by various stakeholders in the industry – architects, engineers, the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards and the Ministry of Energy, among others.
After the presentations, the audience broke-out into two groups, one led by Barry, the other by Greg and Mandilee. The discussions were focused towards finding a way forward for greening existing and future construction. Coming out of the discussion, both groups emphasised the importance of proper policy and framework for green construction and the need to lobby the government towards developing a green building code.
Also, reference was drawn to the OSHA trends in the industry and how one can apply the urgency of health and safety and translate that into the importance of going green. The TTGBC was identified as a major player in the development of a green policy for the country.
Elementary, My Dear Watson
Below, acla:works director, Peter Chandler, puts into words one of the spirited rants we're used to hearing from him around the office.
February 09 was one of those interesting days regarding the subject of architecture in T&T. It seems that the stars so aligned to produce pronouncements regarding our local architectural context.
First alignment of stars came in the pronouncements of the now infamous Mr. Watson Duke of the PSA regarding Trinidad House on St Vincent Street. As a reference for taxpayers, it is the building that currently houses the Board of Inland Revenue. Well, Duke is claiming the building is unsafe because of bullet holes on a fourth floor window, issues with the sewer system a year ago, and that it is one of the oldest buildings in Port of Spain so workers are to stay home.
This last point is not fact but what is disturbing is that a building should be unfit for occupancy because of age. So are we to just abandon buildings because our public servants can’t work in old buildings? Are not public servants – the same ones clamoring for wage increases – responsible for maintaining public buildings? As a tax payer, the situation would have been amusing but for the appalling misinformation being served out by Mr. Duke for his own self interest. Who is really exploiting the workers?
Continuing with the alignment of stars, that same day in the afternoon I had the pleasure of participating in a workshop on Green Building and Energy Efficiency at the 2011 Energy Conference of T&T. Well, when we talk about green buildings we almost immediately start thinking about new buildings. It so happens and here are some facts and questions:
- Buildings account for some 30% of energy consumption and therefore contribute as much to the greenhouse gas effect.
- Of all the buildings out there, how many are new and how many are old? Who is contributing the most to the greenhouse effect?
- In a 15-year span of a building, say the Trinidad House, on average for every $1.00 in construction spent, the owners will have spent $1.80 in operating cost.
So, if we are really to get after energy conservation, we should be going after old buildings first – of course paying attention that all new buildings be energy efficient, and that task begins with identifying what is wrong with our existing buildings.
Ah for the alignment of stars, Mr. Duke has taken it upon himself to point out all the faults with our public buildings. He may well consider a career change given his little success in negotiation skills so far.
Returning to more serious matters, just imagine the volume of work and how our industry could be reactivated if our Government were to adopt a policy as Mr. Obama announced February 03 with his Green Initiative. One has to go back to the era of the American Depression and Roosevelt to find a scheme comparable in size to reactivate an economy.
– PC
acla:works at the TT Energy Conference
This Wednesday acla:works associate, Mandilee Newton, will be present at the Trinidad & Tobago Energy Conference. She won't be there only to learn, though – Mandilee was invited to present our design of the Environmental Management Authority's regional office building [for more information on this project's sustainable design features check the "Related Project" link at right].
As an advocate for sustainability and a LEED® Green Associate, Mandilee has been getting quite a few of these requests recently! In October of last year, she was a speaker at the CAIC’s conference on Capacity Building of Caribbean Private Sector Environmental and Energy Management Capabilities.
Mandilee has also authored various papers on sustainability, including “Sustainable Design in the Caribbean Context” and “LEED – A Caribbean Architect’s Perspective,” and is on the steering committee for the recently established Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council, launched in September 2010.
Mandilee's TT Energy Conference presentation starts around 1.30pm Wednesday. If you're at the Hyatt then, stop by and say hello. Other members of the acla:works team will be in attendance over the three days of the conference and, once it's past, look out for our thoughts on it here.
Our Social Network
What does social media mean to acla:works?
A couple weeks ago I watched The Secret and was reassured of the validity of the statement: “The future is what we make it.” Back In 2008, before news of the global financial crisis hit, acla:works embarked on a forward-thinking marketing strategy. We felt that, although the previous administration had been a major driver in the Trinidad and Tobago economy, it had also cultivated an attitude against engaging local consultants and contractors for the design and construction of the state’s ambitious development goals. In response, we decided to create a forum where the local design community could publicly share ideas and expertise.
We redeveloped our website as an evolving, interconnected and dynamic site that works more like we do – drawing from our previous work, engaging on various levels with different groups or individuals, speaking about the things we care about, and pursuing different themes. We approached new technologies much as we design – in the present, acknowledging the past, yet for the future. The last thing we want is to become obsolete!
With that in mind, last week we invited Mark Lyndersay – iconic tech guru and professional photographer, and Melanie Archer – acla:works graphics and marketing consultant to give short presentations on social media, which forms a major part of our website and is connected to our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr pages. [Text continues after images]
Melanie presents
Mark talks about his networks
While discussions were quite heated and digressed a bit on some of the more controversial elements of the SlideShare presentation Melanie showed, it became clear that social media is less filtered and censored than traditional marketing and, as such, holds a greater potential to offend. While we strive to be careful with our content in this media, at the same time, we try not to distill our emotions too much from our stories – we're human, after all.
Some of us see social media as a bit of an experiment, as it differs so much from traditional marketing [i.e message to public – public reception]. As head of Marketing at acla:works I am aware that social media is growing at an incredible rate and has tremendous influence as users of the internet spend considerable amounts of time on social media sites. Given this, it's obvious that it is a trend that will not disappear anytime soon.
Mark Lyndersay made the point that "social media" doesn't exist anymore . . . it's just media. Public opinion is now at our fingertips rather than in the hands of statistic or market research groups. Mark took us through his process and showed us how he uses feedback to continually improve his sites and how important it was for him to be authentic and have his sites reflect his personality.
So as we embrace social media and as Mark reminds us that we must continue to give so that we can receive, we open ourselves to comments from our visitors. Through our social media dialogue we hope to improve our work towards improving the global built environment through architecture, and have some fun at the same time.
– GT
A New Board for UDeCOTT
On Tuesday, the new board of directors of UDeCOTT was announced [check out the Express article here]. HDC's managing director, Jearlean John has been named as chairman of the board, while acla's own Brian Lewis has been named as one of eight directors.
Asked to comment Brian replied, "I look forward to receiving my official appointment and to meeting the other members of the board." At acla:works we're optimistic about the changes that will occur under this new board, and we'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Brian on his appointment.
A Quick Bath
In November, we wrote about acla:works architectural technician, Andron Roberts, and his higher education trip to Sligo, Ireland. Earlier this month, Andron went to Sligo again and, on the way back home, he stopped for a couple days in Bath, England. Below, he shares his impression of Bath, along with a few photos.
“It’s a very old city with Georgian architecture and a nice urban buzz. I visited the ancient Roman Baths – which is, of course, how the city got its name – and the Abbey, a famous Anglican church. Bath has sweeping landscapes, the streets are mostly cobblestone and very intimate, at least in the old part of the city. They tend to stick to the Georgian style. Even in newer buildings they use coloured stones and try to mimic façades of the existing buildings."
Andron also made a daytrip to Stonehenge – the famed prehistoric monument. His verdict [and we quote]: “It's smaller than you would think.”
A typical street in Bath
The Abbey
Ceiling inside Roman ruins
A bridge in Bath
The city's largest Roman Bath
Andron at Stonehenge
Brian’s Photo Tip #4: Interiors
acla:works director, Brian Lewis, is a highly skilled photographer. His favourite subject? Architecture, of course! In this ongoing series [read Photo Tip #1, Photo Tip #2 and Photo Tip #3], Brian shares tips on successfully photographing buildings.
Brian's Photo Tip #4: Interiors
Building interiors present a range of photographic challenges: colour temperature, mixing daylight and artificial lighting, dressing the space, people, reciprocity failure, depth of field, availability of time. Really good images will take time to compose, light and dress the space and the owners may not allow the time for magazine type photos that can take the better part of a day or more depending on the size of the space.
More recently I have found that owners are moving in quickly – there is very little time to work around them moving boxes of material into the space. This is when the photographer relies upon discipline: compose, check verticals, corners, depth of field, disturbing objects, moving from room to room quickly assessing the best angles to compliment the space. It’s surprising how much can be done in half an hour under these conditions.
In these cases there is no time for lighting set ups and you rely on adjusting lighting in the computer. These sort of photographs may be acceptable for brochures and press releases but they will not produce those excellent images you see in magazines that require hours of lighting set up for each shot.
Fortunately today many of the problems of interior film photography have been made infinitely easier by the design of incredibly complex algorithms in modern professional digital cameras that allow manipulation in order to deliver an acceptable image.
In this case this image describes how the space is being used by its occupants yet still gives an indication of the general interior space.
Small conference rooms will require super wide lenses and care must be exercised to keep the camera square and level with the picture plane otherwise distortions will emerge.
This photograph was taken when the occupants were moving into the space so care had to be taken to place figures that give some life to the space.
– Brian Lewis
Trinidadian Modern
Seeing a building through concept, commission, construction, and completion is a complicated process that can take years. Perhaps it’s this patient – and sometimes impatient – wait that makes us particularly glad when our clients finally get to move into a well designed space that they love. It also makes us glad when a third party thinks our spaces are well designed, too! All of this to say that, in the current issue of MACO Caribbean Living [Vol 12, Issue 4, pp. 20-27], one of our modernist residences has received a great write up. There are three ways to learn more about this house and its atypical move away from the local Neo-Colonial trend:
- Buy the magazine [available at newsstands throughout the Caribbean]
- View/ download a PDF of the article here
- Check out the house by clicking the "Private Residence" link over there on the right
A 5D Kind of Guy
acla:works has been known for its pioneering development of Building Information Modeling [BIM] and Virtual Design and Construction [VDC] as part of an Integrated Project Delivery service. This work involves integrating all facets of the construction delivery process including design and construction. Known as 5D, the process not only includes 3D geometric models but also integrated cost and scheduling information. In other words, all aspects of the project that affect its delivery are connected parametrically to one model.
What does that mean for construction? In short: more accurate and better-coordinated designs, more efficient use of on site resources, and more reliable costs and quantities.
Architects are often thought of as being pie in the sky artists. Not so. acla:works director, Brian Lewis, who pioneered the BIM process within our firm, has continued to develop his interest in the project management aspect of the process. In 2006 Brian traveled to Finland to see how cutting edge firms work there, and also to meet with Martin Fisher of Stanford University and Reijo Hanninen of Olof Granlund Oy, both leaders of developing 3D solutions for the construction sector. According to Brian: “It was an eye-opener. The Client, Architect, Structural Engineer, Services Engineers, Cost Consultants, Contractor, University and Model Consultant all sitting down together working as a team on a single model for a project. It is the way of the future and has reduced waste in the construction sector from as much as 30% to a small fraction of 1%. Think of the sort of money that can be saved on construction projects,” he concludes.
Brian then continued his research and development and stayed in contact with leading proponents. Last year he studied the very complex, nearly 600-page textbook, Location-Based Management for Construction: Planning, Scheduling and Control by Russell Kenley and Olli Seppänen. At the end of this, Brian shocked perhaps even the authors themselves by not only having read the entire tome from cover to cover, but also by writing an online review.
Finally, Brian undertook the Integrated Training Guide online course by VICO’s Control software and obtained a certificate completing the course.
What next? Brian wants to implement the software on a 5D project to demonstrate the fantastic benefits and value of the integrated BIM approach. All he needs is a progressive Client, Contractor and the right Consultants. Anyone out there that fits the bill?
Images: Location-Based Management for Construction; Brian's certificate for completion of VICO's Control; VICO's interactive training guide
Crime and Construction
This article by acla:works director, Brian Lewis, first appeared in the Business Guardian, January 06, 2011.
A January 03 article in the Guardian makes an interesting connection between rising crime and the collapse of the construction industry. The construction industry is huge, so the potential for unemployment is directly proportional to the lack of construction activity. The industry isn't just laborers [though they make up a large number], it's also made up of construction professionals, suppliers, contractor, sub-contractors, suppliers and manufacturers and by my estimation could be approaching 200,000 citizens that have families to support.
What needs to be understood here is the cycle of construction and how it affects unemployment. At this point unemployment has not fully affected laborers, contractors and sub-contrators who are still completing projects that are in the field and may continue to wind down until ongoing projects are completed. However the current collapse of the industry has severely affected the construction professionals who are normally involved in the upfront stages of construction. Let us be clear, the slowdown for upfront design of new projects is currently at a near complete standstill with virtually no new work on drawing boards. Apart from scores of professionals and their staff being unemployed and the adverse effect on their families, what else does this mean for the industry? For one it is an early warning of an impending nightmare ahead unless the current administration can manage to put in place a stimulus package for the industry.
Works and Transportation Minister Jack Warner, who seems to acknowledge the potential enormity of the looming crisis, states that the San Fernando/ Point Fortin Highway project [designed by foreign consultants] will provide employment but then quickly announces that 65% of the projects will be awarded to foreign contractors. Apparently in his mind this is acceptable because the project will employ "masons, carpenters and other people". The point I am making here is that this highway project, touted to assist the industry, will do very little for the construction professionals because infrastructure projects are considered capital intensive rather than labor intensive and thus any positive effect on the industry will in fact be nominal.
What we need from this government is a well considered sustainable plan to stimulate the industry with short, medium and long term plans. Let's start with the short-term plans; but please hurry – time is running out and construction professional firms are on the brink of closure. Simply informing construction professional firms to look towards the Caribbean for work is to abandon them and will do nothing to avoid a crisis in this country. Wake up and implement a comprehensive and sustainable stimulus package or else face a crisis.
– Brian Lewis
For a different take on reducing crime, see director Gary Turton's July 21 2010 article, "Can Architecture Reduce Violence?"
Keeping It All Together
At acla:works we’ve got meetings to schedule, schedules to meet, projects to coordinate, invoices to send, payments to receive [we hope!], contacts to contact, and tasks to manage. In other words, things can get a little hectic but ArchiOffice – a brilliant bit of software created by architects for architects – helps us to keep it all together. According to the BQE Software Inc. site, “ArchiOffice is a comprehensive, intuitive and user-friendly project management software solution designed specifically for architecture firms.”
acla:works has been using ArchiOffice since 2003 but, in September last year, we upgraded our software to the new and improved AO 2010. Advantages to this upgrade include:
Anywhere, anytime: We can now access all our contacts, calendars, time and expense, reports and project information from any location and from any computer
Improved Document Management: It is no longer necessary for all project documents to reside on a single hard drive. We can move project documents anywhere, archive them and backup without using valuable storage space.
Powerful Task Management: With AO 2010 we can schedule start and end dates for tasks, budget hours and fees and compare budgets to actual data.
Additionally, we can now control reports and invoice contents, and customise them to suit the project or client.
Bottom line? Our administrative and financial departments are now able to better manage projects, documents, time and billing. Better for us, better for our clients.
– Nancy Winter-Roach
Above: AO 2010 in action!
Meeting on the Halls
As part of the HOJ Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Feasibility Project a three-day conference was hosted in Port of Spain, Trinidad, by the Court Administration Unit [CAU] of the Caribbean Court of Justice [CCJ]. The conference was held from December 09 – 12, 2010 and addressed:
- Conceptualizing court buildings
- Addressing needs: Elements which inform the needs and elements which inform the space
- The Design Brief and how to get there
- A study tour of the Halls of Justice and the Family Court, Port of Spain.
Attendees of the conference were as follows [alphabetical order]:
- Master Alleyne, CEA, CCJ
- Sir Brian Alleyne, former CJ
- Kimberly Cenac, Chief Registrar
- Carlene Cross, IS Manager, CCJ
- Tamara Gill, Chief Magistrate Grenada
- Greg Girard, CEA of ECSC
- Francis Letang, Deputy Court Administrator
- Brian Lewis, Project Leader, acla:works
- Wendy Lewis, Dep CEA, CCJ
- Kevin Magill, Project Director
- Louis Ottley, Consulting Architect, acla:works
- Jacinth Smith, Chief Librarian, CCJ
- Junior Thompson, Project Architect, acla:works
- Vaugn, Facilities and Assets Manager, CCJ
- Chief Justice Rawlins attended portions of the meeting.
Above: Shaking hands at the signing of the contract on December 10 2010. From left: Chief Justice Rawlins, ECSC; Brian Lewis of acla:works; and Greg Girard, CEA of ECSC.
Make it Better #1: Ramps
As designers, we often notice things within our built environment that aren't quite up to standard. Too-high pavements with electrical poles smack in the middle, streets that turn into streams due to poor drainage . . . we could go on. And we do go on, below, with this our first in a series of suggestions as to how we can make our cities better. Here, acla:works associate, Brent Matthew, gives a few thoughts on ramping up accessibility.
Ramps
While working on the HOJ access ramp, I took a look at buildings around Port of Spain and realised that a lot of them are not accessible to persons with disabilities. Whereas it is the choice of an owner to make his/her building accessible, public buildings should always meet this criteria so as not to alienate this sector of society. In Trinidad and Tobago there is no accessibility law; even our House of Parliament does not have an accessible ramp. So, it is up to the architect to design a functional – and hopefully aesthetically pleasing – accessible ramp to code. What code? In Trinidad and Tobago we usually refer to the American Disabilities Act [ADA]. Let’s take a look at the minimum requirements for a successfully designed ramp:
Below: ramp diagram © Brent Matthew [text continues below break]
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The wheelchair ramp should have a clear width of 915mm [3’-0”], which means the width between the handrails should be that minimum. Ramp slopes between 1:12 [8.3%] and 1:15 [6.7%] are preferred – the ability to manage an incline is related to both slope and length. Wheelchair users with disabilities affecting their arms or with low stamina have serious difficulty using inclines. Therefore, to build according to wheelchair ramp specs, the least possible slope should be used for any ramp.
Ramps should have level landings at the bottom and the top of each ramp run, otherwise individuals using wheelchairs could tip over. These landings should be at least as wide as the ramp leading to them and, if there is a door at such a location, there should be at least 1120mm [44”] space at the latch side of the door. Handrail specifications are generally for adults but, where children are the principal users in the building – e.g. a primary school – a second set of handrails at an appropriate height could help in preventing accidents. The clear space between the handrail and the wall should be 1 - 1/2 in [38mm]. The gripping surface should be 32mm to 8mm [1-1/4” to 1-1/2”] and the height should be between 865mm and 965mm [34” to 38”].
Let's provide access ramps to our buildings and include a neglected section of our society. How someone in a wheelchair gets to the building from a vehicle, well that is another blog entry . . . . Stay tuned.
Below: a few ramps that do exist in Port of Spain
– Brent Matthew
Regional Architects Meet to Develop a Mutual Recognition Agreement
Last week Gary Turton – acla:works director and Immediate Past President of the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects [TTIA] – attended a meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on behalf of the Association of Commonwealth Societies of Architects in the Caribbean [ACSAC]. ACSAC represents the English-speaking architects of CARICOM, and at the recent meeting Gary was present to discuss the terms of the Mutual Recognition Agreement [MRA] to be signed between regional architectural bodies and their counterparts in the European Union [EU]. An MRA sets out the terms for the recognition of qualifications required to practice architecture in countries signing this agreement.
This preliminary meeting involved representation of architects from CARIFORUM [CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic and Haiti], the inputs of various regional Boards of Architecture and the project consultants to determine the terms for the upcoming negotiations with EU counterparts. This technical assistance project is funded by the EU as part of their obligation under the Economic Partnership Agreement [EPA] signed between CARIFORUM member states and the European Union, which for the first time in history includes the trade of services.
The regional regulatory environment, both existing and in some cases being developed needs to be analysed in order to foster a spirit of Free Trade, which is at the heart of the EPA. The EPA/MRA negotiations represent an opportunity for the regulatory strengthening of the practice of architecture in the Caribbean. Stronger institutes and effective regulation will help to raise standards and promote more meaningful local participation in projects within the region and, ultimately, help increase our global competitiveness.
Below: regional architects meet in the Dominican Republic to develop an MRA between CARIFORUM and EU Architects
New Halls of Justice for the ECSC
We are pleased to announce that a consortium of eight firms led by acla:works has been appointed by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court [ECSC] to conduct site surveys in ten OECS territories, and to prepare appropriate user requirements and conceptual designs for ten new Halls of Justice facilities. This stage of the project is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank.
The acla:works Halls of Justice consortium was selected against other international firms such as Stantec, OBM International, Genivar, NLBA [St. Lucia] and others. The consortium comprises acla:works [project leaders and architects], melon design [architecture], BBFL Phillips Engineering [structural engineers], ENCO [mechanical and electrical engineers], Bradley Paul Associates [quantity surveyors], Ecoengineering Consultants [environmental engineers], Earth Investigation Systems [geotechnical engineers] and Development Planning Consultant Services [development and environmental planners].
The Halls of Justice are to be developed as part of a comprehensive judicial reform programme in the OECS territories of St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Dominica, Nevis, Montserrat, BVI, Anguilla, and Antigua. acla:works’ experience in the Hall of Justice, Trinidad, enables us to demonstrate a high level of expertise for the ECSC project.
Members of the consortium have just returned from a five-day reconnaissance trip of the ten states, and have commenced the project by reviewing the selected sites for the Halls of Justice buildings in each territory.
Below: photos of the ten sites taken on reconnaissance trip earlier this month.
Brian’s Photo Tip #3: Taming the Sun
In addition to being a talented architect and quite possibly the most organised person any of us has ever worked with, acla:works director, Brian Lewis, is a highly skilled photographer. His favourite subject? Architecture, of course! In this ongoing series [read Photo Tip #1 and Photo Tip #2], Brian shares tips on successfully photographing buildings.
Photo Tip #3: Taming the Sun
It is always a good idea to think about how the sun will affect the facades of a building before setting off to photograph a building – planning is worthwhile. Prior to photography, if possible and convenient, visit the building at different times of the day and plan when to return to photograph – then wait for the light, clouds and the rain. In Trinidad and Tobago we have to deal with the sun in the south between the months of September to April – it’s surprising how many buildings face north! Usually, buildings look their best in the morning and afternoon or even at dawn or dusk. When setting up remember that the main features and façade of the building should be illuminated with the minor façade in shade. A sun angle that rakes across the façade will help to model its three-dimensional features.
– Brian Lewis
Above: Sun diagram from Architectural Photography by Michael Harris. Below: The southern façade of the Institute of Marine Affairs during the day and at dusk.
Sleepless in Sligo
In September, acla:works architectural technician Andron Roberts visited Sligo, Ireland. Those who know Andron might be surprised to learn that the motivation behind this trip was higher education rather than lager consumption. Andron enrolled in the third year of a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management and Technology program at the Institute of Technology Sligo, and so, he went on a week-long trip to meet his professors, fellow students, and to see the school campus. Below, he answers a few questions . . .
MELANIE ARCHER: Why Sligo? It doesn’t strike me as a cutting-edge town.
ANDRON ROBERTS: Well, when you look across Ireland, the construction management syllabuses are similar, but Sligo is at the forefront of distance learning in Ireland. It’s one of the only schools that provides that service, and they’ve been doing so for ten years. This year, actually, they were voted second most improved Institute of Technology in Ireland. I’d been looking for a programme specially tailored to my particular needs – being able to work and study – and, after researching for about two years, their programme really looked impressive. I was particularly impressed that I would be doing the same work as the students there; I didn’t feel that I had to compromise in any way. Also, my degree won’t say “online”.
MA: Could you talk a bit about distance learning?
AR: The process is interesting – I think that with the emergence of the internet and social networking, it has become a lot easier. Before, you were on your own; now I feel as though I’m part of a class although we’re all spread out. Also, it’s easier to communicate with professors and it’s so advanced now that you’re able to have the same syllabus as students physically on campus.
MA: Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
AR: I was always interested in the construction process and technology in particular and I wanted to expand my knowledge in both of those things and this degree facilitates that.
MA: You’ve been with acla for 10 years; how did you become interested in construction management and technology?
AR: Initially I was interested in architecture but because I didn’t understand the building process; I thought an architect was responsible for every part of it. But when I started becoming more intimate with the process, this was the specialty I latched on to.
MA: Why is construction technology important?
AR: Even if you have the best idea for a structure, someone has to build it. And, in order to build it, you have to understand how buildings work and someone with that knowledge is integral to that process.
MA: Do you have any comments on the state of construction management in Trinidad and Tobago?
AR: In my experience, there are a lot of contractors or builders who fall into construction management because it’s necessary, but I don’t know if they’re educated in the field. Likewise, architects might manage the construction process, but they’re also not specifically educated in the field. I’m not certain there’s enough specialised training within the industry.
MA: What’s exciting in construction technology these days?
AR: For me, nothing in particular is exciting; it’s more about finding new technology to apply to old problems. But, the problems remain the same – preventing leaking roofs, shading your buildings etc.
MA: After your degree, what next?
AR: I’m hoping to bring the acquired knowledge back to acla and apply it accordingly.
below: Andron [fourth from left] with classmates on the Sligo campus. No, we don't know what he's looking at!
Carbon Matters
The Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce [CAIC] and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica [PSOJ] have embarked on a project to promote best practices in environmental and energy management for enhanced competitiveness and profitability for Caribbean businesses, while preserving the environment and reducing the carbon footprint of commercial operations. The project – Capacity Building of Caribbean Private Sector Environmental and Energy Management – is being funded by the EU/ ProInvest.
The project was launched on September 15th, 2010 by the PSOJ in Jamaica and on October 15th, 2010 by the CAIC in Trinidad by way of round table seminars intended to raise awareness of energy and environmental issues.
During the consultations, a total of 40 SMEs will be approached to undergo an energy and environmental audit. Based on the audit, these businesses will be able to improve their operations and mitigate their environmental impact. Participants will have access to a measure index to judge future performance in the areas of environmental and energy management. Tool kits will be developed by the consultants to self-assess their level of proficiency in environmental and energy related matters. These tool kits will assist these businesses with their future carbon management.
This project will culminate in July 2011 with a regional conference entitled “Business Implications of Energy and Environmental Management in the Caribbean” to be held in Trinidad and Tobago.
acla:works associate and LEED Green Associate, Mandilee Newton, was invited to speak at the launch in Trinidad and Tobago. Mandilee spoke alongside the consultants Environmental Solutions Ltd and Caribbean Esco Ltd, as well as, the Energy Chamber, Environmental Management Authority and the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment.
Mandilee spoke on green buildings, establishing a green capital needs assessment, and looked at varying approaches towards better carbon management within new and existing facilities.
Read more about the Trinidad and Tobago launch here.
Legal in Barbados
As a follow up to our June 16 blog entry on our recently-opened branch office in Barbados, we're happy announce that acla:works director, Brian Lewis, is now legally registered to practice in Barbados and is a full member of the Barbados Institute of Architects [BIA]. Visit the Business Barbados website for more information.
Justice for All
Completed in 1981, the Hall of Justice was designed by acla:works in joint venture with architectural firm HKPA and is home to the Supreme Court in Port of Spain.
acla:works has since been commissioned to design a vertical platform lift and wheelchair accessible ramp that will be compliant with the building's current security requirements and sympathetic to the building's bold and unique exterior.
The solution involves constructing the ramp behind an extended glass fibre reinforced concrete [GFRC] sloping panel as a means of minimizing the impact of this unmistakable addition to the exterior. The lift is in a tower that mimics the in situ concrete of one of the stair towers of the building.
above: rendering of the Hall of Justice wheelchair accessible lift and ramp
In the United States in the late 1980s, citizens lobbied to get policymakers to pass legislation in the form of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA], which led all new or existing public buildings into compliance with the Act. Beyond wheelchair lifts, ramps and sidewalk specifications, accessibility within public buildings also targeted washrooms, doors, corridors and fire stairs. Retrofitting existing buildings was initially more challenging for architects, but eventually ADA regulations were seamlessly integrated into the design of new buildings. People are not always born with disabilities – we sometimes become temporarily or permanently disabled – therefore I believe legislation should be passed in Trinidad and Tobago as well, as this will help build a fairer society for all citizens. I applaud the Hall of Justice in its leadership and initiative.
As construction is about to begin, due care is being taken to ensure that security and Health Safety and the Environment concerns are addressed with coordination meetings between the client, the Judiciary of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the contractors PG Construction and RBP Lifts, and the Consultant team led by acla:works.
– Gary Turton
At the CPPC Symposium, 2010
On October 12 the Caribbean Procurement Institute [CPI] hosted a symposium as part of the CPPC 2010 conference at the Hyatt. The symposium ‘The Uff Enquiry and Beyond . . . What Next’ was chaired by Professor Norman Girvan with panelists the honorable Keith Rowley – Leader of the Opposition, Woodrow Whiteley – QS, Andrew Goddard – QC and Brian Lewis – Architect and a Director of acla:works.
Each panelist gave a brief overview from his or her perspective. Mr. Rowley called for a return of trust and consultation. Mr. Goddard suggested a new Arbitration Act was needed and a specialised court to deal with construction disputes. Mr. Whiteley called for professionals to maintain the highest standards. Mr. Lewis gave a brief overview of the construction industry and suggested that it was in need of immediate attention.
Further to the proposed Public Procurement Reform he went on to make three suggestions: [1] The need to develop an operational manual that would clearly set out detailed procedures and practices to be followed for public sector projects, [2] the need for greater consultation between the government and the construction industry and the possible reinstatement of the Cabinet-Appointed Committee for Oversight of the Construction Industry, and [3] greater planning to establish a return to sustainable construction activity necessary to restore health to the industry. The panelists were faced with many questions from the floor, some of them from well known personalities.
– Brian Lewis
A GBC to Call Our Own
The Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council [TTGBC] was launched on September 23, 2010, World Green Building Day [as designated by the World Green Building Council]. acla:works associate Mandilee Newton is on the steering committee for the TTGBC.
The TTGBC is a body of multidisciplinary building professionals committed to achieving sustainable building in Trinidad and Tobago. Some of its core objectives are to educate and increase public awareness of green building technology and benefits, promote green culture throughout the industry, and advise on green building policies. Eventually the TTGBC intends to become a certifying body for green buildings in Trinidad and Tobago and, further, assist in promoting green practices in other countries of the English-speaking Caribbean.
Some of the TTGBC strategies include – ongoing technical sessions, conferences and seminars, courses, partnering with others in the promotion of green building awareness and practices, developing local certification systems in conjunction with statutory bodies and other professional organisations, facilitating the promotion of green building products, holding discussions with governmental agencies regarding green building policies, networking with other Green Building Councils with regards to best practices; and ultimately, becoming a member of the World Green Building Council
Individuals and firms interested in becoming members of the TTGBC are asked to send an e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
below: Minister in the Ministry of Works Rudranath Indarsingh [left] delivers an address at the September 23 launch of the Trinidad & Tobago Green Building Council. Photo: Karla Ramoo/The Trinidad and Tobago Guardian
Thinking CAPP
The Caribbean Association of Procurement Professionals [CAPP] celebrated its Inaugural General Meeting at the Hyatt Hotel on October 10. Brian Lewis, Acting Chair for CAPP welcomed provisional members to the launch of the association presenting an Update on its activities and the Way Forward. Charles Holden, Executive Director of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management [IFPSM] gave the welcome address explaining the importance of the association and its potential for improving procurement within the Caribbean. Margaret Rose, Executive Director of the Caribbean Procurement Institute [CPI] outlined the association’s constitution, regulations and forms of membership. Ms Michela Wrong, past journalist for Reuters, the Financial Times, and author of a number of books, including her most recent, It’s Our Turn To Eat published in 2009 was the guest speaker taking questions from the floor, much to the delight of the audience.
CAPP is still in its formative stages and will shortly be mailing out application forms for prospective members.
Healthcare in the New Decade
In 2009, acla:works formed a joint venture agreement with HDR, the leading healthcare firm of architects and engineers in the USA. HDR has successfully completed a healthcare study of Trinidad and Tobago, which will form the basis for future development of our local healthcare system.
In order to keep our firm up-to-date with trends in modern healthcare—and as part of his continuing professional development—acla:works director, Brian Lewis, elected to attend an educational tour of the Jackson Medical Campus during the recent American Institute of Architects [AIA] 2010 conference held in Miami, Florida.
The Jackson Health System is an integrated healthcare delivery system with more than 12,000 employees that provide medical services to residents of Miami-Dade Country and beyond to Central and South America and the Caribbean. Jackson consists of 10 primary care centers, 17 school-based clinics, 2 long-term nursing facilities, an outpatient diagnostic centre, and hospitals for children and mental patients. Rounding things up is a community and regional referral tertiary care centre, which is the primary teaching hospital of the University of Miami School of Medicine.
Brian noted: “It’s really quite remarkable to see how the Jackson Memorial Medical Campus has evolved from a 3,000 square foot two-storey structure to what can only be described as a small city. In the less than 90 years since it first opened its doors, Jackson has grown from a 13-bed hospital to an internationally recognized medical system. It is really impressive in its sheer magnitude. I was able to have a close look at some of the cutting edge departments that weren’t even open to the public yet, as well as emergency, trauma, simulation and pediatric centers. It was a very useful and educational experience and I hope we can apply lessons learnt to Trinidad and Tobago in the not-too-distant future.”
below: Map of Jackson Campus. Photograph of hospital room.
Can Architecture Reduce Violence?
acla:works director, Gary Turton, thinks it has the potential to do so. Gary recently contributed the article, "Building Serenity," to the Jul-Sep issue of the TTCSI Quarterly. It's a relevant piece, given Trinidad & Tobago's ever-increasing murder rate, as well as recent challenges throughout the region to find suitable people to head up local police forces.
Perhaps, as Gary infers, we should be addressing the problem at its root and not just its end. His argument stems from the case study of a city that was once one of the world's most violent – Medellín, Colombia – where, over the past decade, architecture and politics have contributed to a 90% reduction in the crime rate.
Gary writes: "[Former mayor of Medellín] Fajardo's approach was that any reduction in violence was immediately supplemented with a 'concrete community improvement.' As the murder rate dropped, the city's poorest neighbourhoods became home to brilliant new schools, housing, community spaces and 'library parks' . . . . Fajardo stated in an interview with architect Giancarlo Mazzanti, 'From the time I was a child, it was clear to me what aesthetics meant as a tool for social transformation, as a message of inclusion. That is something that is often misunderstood here. Underneath it all is the most important word in all of those urban interventions in which architecture plays an important role: dignity.'
Could a lack of dignity be Trinidad & Tobago's main issue? The case of Medellín makes us wonder which version of Trinidad & Tobago we might be living in today had our government taken the money used to build those half-empty buildings on and near the waterfront and chosen, instead, to create real opportunities for change in some of our islands' forgotten (or deliberately snubbed) neighbourhoods.
Download Gary's article, "Building Serenity: How Architecture Can Reduce Violence" (PDF 380KB).
Also in this issue of the TTCSI Quarterly Gary writes on "Future Design: The Importance of ICTs to Architecture." (Download the PDF 880KB).
Exterior view of the library Biblioteca León de Greiff, Medellín. Designed by Giancarlo Mazzanti.
Brian’s Photo Tip #2: Composition
In addition to being a talented architect and quite possibly the most organised person any of us has ever worked with, acla:works director, Brian Lewis, is a highly skilled photographer. His favourite subject? Architecture, of course! In this ongoing series [read Photo Tip #1], Brian shares tips on successfully photographing buildings.
Photo Tip #2: Composition
Composition is one of the main photographic skills that can make a good image of a building. Architectural photography, unlike sports for example, allows the photographer the time to think about what is in the frame and to compose the image with some care. Final cropping can also be done with digital software even after the image has been recorded. I like to link the lines of the perspective to the frame of the photo because it strengthens the perspective. Photos that are not attached to their frame tend to float around and lack graphic oomph! So my advice is to take a moment before pressing that shutter – it can make all the difference.
– Brian Lewis
Below: careful composition makes the shot in Brian's photos of an acla:works private residence. Also, you can read about taming the sun in Brian's Photo Tip #3.
On the Drawing Board: Ferrostaal
Yes, we are aware that drawings boards are scarce these days but what other phrase so aptly describes a design-related work in progress?! In this and future OtDB entries, we share our projects that are in the design stage, but on which construction hasn't yet begun. Here, a look at an office fit-out collaboration between Barbados-based idesign limited and acla:works:
Earlier this year, German industrial services company Ferrostaal approached idesign limited about the fit-out of a space for their new regional headquarters to be based in St. Clair, Trinidad. The timing could not have been more propitious—acla:works and idesign had been actively seeking to collaborate on a project that would benefit clients through our combined design capabilities and integrated project delivery.
A few weeks after Ferrostaal’s initial approach we had made that crucial link between image and corporate culture. The result? A classic modern style rooted in the Bauhaus and reflected in the design concept by the use of materials such as granite, slate, birch, and glass. Classic modern furniture pieces (as well as a few bespoke ones) were also incorporated.
The layout—reception, private offices, workstations, conference rooms and a lunchroom—abounds in creative details like concealed, built-in lighting and interlocking linear forms in the ceiling soffits and walls. The largely open plan design offers natural light and views to all employees through perimeter windows, while sophisticated artificial lighting discreetly supplements nature’s own. The design concept, which is predominantly neutral in field colour with few striking accent colours, promises an efficient and visually stimulating environment for Ferrostaal employees and conveys a clear vision of the company’s corporate image.
– Giselle Crayston [idesign] and Peter Chandler [acla:works]
below: renderings of the new Ferrostaal offices
The Construction Outlook: Implications for Architectural Firms
Earlier this year, acla:works director, Brian Lewis, attended the AIA Convention in Miami, Florida. Brian returned to Trinidad not only with photos from the convention, but also with an outlook on construction and its implications for design firms. Brian writes:
There is a saying that, “When the USA catches a cold, the Caribbean sneezes!”. It is therefore useful to have a clear understanding of the current state of business for architects in the USA so as to be better prepared for what may lie ahead for us here in the Caribbean.
As an associate member of the American Institute of Architects, I have attended the last five AIA conventions and have found them to be invaluable in that our firm keeps up with the highest international standards, latest trends and cutting edge technologies by tapping into this enormous resource. Some 18,000 architects attended this year’s convention with the largest architectural exhibition of building products and technologies available in the world. Over the years the benefits of attending these conventions has had a profound effect in helping shape the direction for our firm — in one instance, we were selected as a case study in a book to be published later this year.
There is little doubt that the profession of architecture in the USA has been hard hit by the economic downturn, with architecture suffering over 24% in job losses at this time. Certain regions have suffered more, for example California, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida, while others such as Texas remain buoyant. Also, certain building types have feared worse than others—institutional and healthcare remain buoyant whereas apartments, resorts and commercial sectors suffer a reduction in investment exceeding 50% in some cases. Understanding these nuances helps architectural firms better understand what changes are needed and how to maximize their potential and position their firms during these challenging times.
Of course, Trinidad and Tobago is unique so one must make adjustments to cater for local and regional conditions. The general consensus, however, seems to be that for the most part the building industry is bottoming out of recession with some sectors rebounding this year while others are expected to be slower to respond into 2012. It was also clear that sustainability, building information modeling and integrated project delivery techniques are the trends in demand and firms that develop these key areas of practice are going to be ahead of the recovery wave.
– Brian Lewis
below: photos taken at the 2010 AIA Convention.
Newton in the News
acla:works associate, Mandilee Newton, is spreading her thoughts on sustainability and we're happy to see that people have been taking note. Last week Wednesday, Mandilee spoke at the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce's second annual Caribbean facilities management and maintenance conference – she delivered a paper on LEED from a Caribbean architect's perspective. The Trinidad Guardian reported on her presentation the following day with an article titled, "Architect calls for more energy efficient buildings":
"Newton was addressing the question of why there were not any LEED-certified buildings in the Commonwealth [Caribbean]. According to Newton, the main reason is that it was costly to get a building LEED assessed. Registering and reviewing a building could cost anywhere between US$2,000 to US$22,500, depending on the scale of the building. Newton said these costs were huge deterrents, but a heavy case could be made to pave the way forward. The money saved from energy-effeciency could, over years, pay back the initial implementation costs and more." Read the full Guardian article here or Download Mandilee's paper, "LEED – A Caribbean Architect's Perspective" [PDF format, 148KB].
Additionally, look out for an interview with Mandilee titled, "To LEED or Not to LEED," that has just been published in T&T's local architecture magazine, Building Trinidad and Tobago. Details about this article can be found in our publications section.
Newton to Speak at FMM Conference
acla:works associate Mandilee Newton is a speaker at the 2nd Annual Facilities Management and Maintenance (FMM) Conference being hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry of Commerce. The conference theme is “Positioning for Success in Today’s Economy” and it is being held at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, June 22-23. Mandilee was invited by the FMM committee to present a paper on “LEED – A Caribbean Architect’s Perspective”. Having recently presented “LEED & Its Application to the Caribbean” to the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), the FMM committee thought it worthwhile to include a local look at LEED in the conference.
The conference is being attended by project managers, plant managers and facilities managers from various state and private enterprises, including the energy sector. The event is being officially opened by the newly appointed Honourable Minister Jack Warner, Minister of Works and Transport. acla:works welcomes the opportunity to be a part of this conference as we continue to contribute heavily towards the promotion and development of sustainability and green design within the Caribbean.
Check back for visuals of Mandilee's presentation, as well as her thoughts on the conference.
Turton Helps Bel Air Bay Set Sail
acla:works director, Gary Turton gave the feature address at the launch of luxury condominium development “Bel Air Bay” in San Fernando on Saturday, March 6th 2010. His worship mayor of San Fernando, Kenneth Ferguson, also delivered a very supportive speech.
The developers for the project are Eric Mohammed, developer and contractor of high-end projects such as Palmiste townhouses, Stone Haven in Tobago, Club Zen and Footprints Eco Resort, Johnny Soong of Soong’s Great Wall Restaurant and Club Zen, Junior Sammy and Dave Aqui, Chairman and CEO respectively of the Junior Sammy Group of Companies.
Turton, principal in charge of the project, stated “To allow the ever-changing seascape to dominate the place, the architecture is decidedly minimal, yet bold. Its structures will frame views of the scenery, as if they were kinetic works of art. The palette of forms are elemental: concrete, timber, stone, water and landscape, with a hint of whimsy inspired by sails on the ocean and the rhythm of the waves.”
Although a luxury development, it is designed with sustainability in mind and has many ‘green’ features including solar-powered water heating, solar-powered street lighting, double-glazed insulated glass windows, energy-efficient light fixtures, and storm water harvesting for landscape irrigation, to name a few. The first phase of the development will have twenty-five 3500sf units, boardwalk, jetty, and a clubhouse complete with high-tech security, gym, spa and other convenient amenities.
We’re in Barbados, Too
We are happy to announce that we've recently opened a branch office in Barbados.
When considering a Caribbean expansion it seemed natural that acla:works would start in Barbados. Brian Lewis – one of four directors of our firm – is a Barbados citizen and son of the late Anthony C Lewis – our firm’s founding father who set up practice in Barbados in the 1940s where he designed notable works such as the Harrison Public Library in Bridgetown.
When asked about surviving the recent economic downturn and the firm’s expansion, first to Barbados and then to St Lucia, Lewis said: “ . . . We focused on acla:works’ unique selling point – our development and implementation of building information modeling over the last decade. We soon realised that it was time to go regional introducing BIM to the Caribbean. We made the decision to work with local architects in targeted islands, thus developing a formidable regional network that would offer cutting edge design tools where, at present, none exist. We also refined our mission: To be the prominent architectural firm in the Caribbean by 2020 in terms of image, perception, service level and delivery.”
In 2009, acla:works formed a strategic alliance with six other firms in order to extend to clients integrated project delivery service. Two of these firms – idesign Limited [interior design] and Talma Mill Studios [landscape architecture] are based in Barbados. We're also pleased to announce that we've partnered with the award-winning amonle studio workshop – a Barbados- and UK-based firm run by architect John Allsopp.
Need to reach us in Barbados? You can call us on 246 430 8400 or drop us a line at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Brian’s Photo Tip #1: Lenses
In addition to being a talented architect and quite possibly the most organised person any of us has ever worked with, acla:works director, Brian Lewis, is a highly skilled photographer. His favourite subject? Architecture, of course! In this ongoing series, Brian shares tips on successfully photographing buildings.
Photo Tip #1: Lenses
Wide-angle lenses are essential in architectural photography. The wider the angle of the lens the more difficult it is to use – you need to try to keep the film plane vertical, and, when taking a one-point perspective, to keep the film plane parallel to the building or you will get unsightly distortion.
When composing through the viewfinder try to line up verticals and make sure there is no planar distortion before you press that shutter. It is important to remember that sometimes a distorted detail can express the essence of the building but most of the time photographs of buildings are intended as a record so they need to look right. Try this tip.
– Brian Lewis
Below: Republic Bank Trincity shot with a wide angle [no distortion] and without [intentional distortion to emphasize form]. Also, read about composition and taming the sun in Brian's Photo Tip #2 and Photo Tip #3.
An acla:works Article on BIM
Last week, Business Barbados published an online article on BIM (Building Information Modeling), which was written by acla:works director, Brian Lewis. Lewis writes, "If anyone were to take a survey of developers, owners and contractors to determine if their wish lists included more accurate and better coordinated construction drawings with fewer conflicts I feel certain that you would get a resounding response: 'yes, please.'
The construction industry has become a nightmare for many involved simply because construction documents are not properly coordinated and this results in additional cost, waste and delays.
Buildings have become larger and more complex. On the other hand, staff with the necessary experience and competence to coordinate all aspects of the project, are few and far between. The result has been a deterioration of accuracy and poor coordination of construction documents. The consequences of this problem are greater waste, increased delays and additional costs. Owners and developers are now demanding new solutions."
Read the full article here. And be sure to check out our explanatory BIM animation at the end!
acla:blogs
Hello world, welcome to our new blog! We invite you to check in with us regularly over the coming weeks, months, and years [we hope] for news on our company and projects. Rest assured, though, that this blog won’t merely be a vehicle for self-promotion and the all-too-common ego stroking; instead, we hope that this virtual platform will be used by you and other like-minded folks to help spark a missing dialogue on architecture in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean. Please, comment freely and often.
In addition to the obvious and major advantage of getting to exchange ideas on design, we took into account that a blog would allow us stop printing words+images, which would not only save some trees [and, let’s face it: money] but also help us to deliver news in a timely manner. We’re also expanding to other Caribbean islands and recognise the potential for engaging people there via the internet. And, lastly – in case you might have missed it! – we’ve just revamped our website and wanted to allow more user interaction. A blog seemed like a great decision, and so we decided to push ahead.
This is a different world for us, but we’re confident that we’re taking a meaningful step, and we hope that you – our friends, clients and colleagues, students and the design-curious – will join us as we lay the foundation for something new.
– The acla:works team
Random Multimedia
Republic Bank UWI Multi-Complex Facility
Random Project
Columbus Circle
The design of Columbus Circle is based on a central double height living space with a clerestory glass roof-light around which various spaces are disposed.
