An Architect’s View of Port of Spain

30th November, 2011 by Mandilee Newton | 2 comments

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.

Speaking of Design . . .

24th October, 2011 by Melanie Archer | 0 comments

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

22nd August, 2011 by Melanie Archer | 0 comments

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.

Developing an FM Culture

11th July, 2011 by Melanie Archer | 0 comments

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.
 

A Forum [or Two] for Good

17th March, 2011 by Melanie Archer | 0 comments

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.